UFC on ESPN 71: Austin Bashi vs John Yannis Preview & Prediction

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Austin Bashi looks to erase the memories of a disastrous debut as he takes a short notice matchup against promotional newcomer, John Yannis, at featherweight.

Austin Bashi vs John Yannis facts

What time are Austin Bashi and John Yannis expected to walk out?

Where is UFC on ESPN: Taira vs Park? UFC Apex, Enterprise, USA

Where can I get tickets for UFC on ESPN: Taira vs Park? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC on ESPN 71

What TV channel is UFC on ESPN: Taira vs Park on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+

Where can I stream UFC on ESPN: Taira vs Park? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass

UFC on ESPN: Taira vs Park main card

Tatsuro Taira vs Park Hyun-sung (Flyweight)

Mateusz Rebecki vs Chris Duncan (Lightweight)

Elves Brener vs Esteban Ribovics (Lightweight)

Karol Rosa vs Nora Cornolle (Women’s Bantamweight)

Neil Magny vs Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (Welterweight)

Danny Silva vs Kevin Vallejos (Featherweight)

UFC on ESPN: Taira vs Park prelims

Rinya Nakamura vs Nathan Fletcher (Bantamweight)

Rodolfo Vieira vs Tresean Gore (Middleweight)

Nick Klein vs Andrey Pulyaev (Middleweight)

Austin Bashi vs John Yannis (Featherweight)

Piera Rodriguez vs Ketlen Souza (Women’s Strawweight)

Rafael Estevam vs Felipe Bunes (Flyweight)

Austin Bashi: Can Bashi rebound from his first career defeat?

Arriving in the UFC with a shiny undefeated record, things didn’t exactly go according to plan for wrestling standout, Austin Bashi (13-1), in his debut. The 23 year old DWCS alum was matched up with Christian Rodriguez, a.k.a. “The Prospect Killer”, who proceeded to do exactly what he does best. “CeeRod” walked away with a 29-28 unanimous decision and Bashi’s “0”, dampening the hype on yet another highly touted young contender. Nevertheless, Bashi still looks to be an interesting addition to the 145 pound weight division, with solid striking to complement his impressive wrestling base.

John Yannis: A short notice debutant looking to play spoiler

Standing across the Octagon from Bashi will be the former Fury FC featherweight champion, John Yannis (9-3). The American earned a UFC call up off the back of a three fight win streak after Francis Marshall dropped out, securing the aforementioned title in his most recent appearance. Yannis was scheduled for his first defense towards the end of August, indicating that he will likely enter this contest in decent shape despite the late notice nature of his debut. Credited with five knockouts, the 5’8 “Angel” enters this contest with a slight height edge over his 5’6 opponent.

Austin Bashi vs John Yannis prediction

Originally scheduled to face Francis Marshall, to say that this looks like Bashi’s fight to lose would be the MMA understatement of the week.

Yannis simply does not look to be a UFC caliber fighter. He’s undoubtedly game but “Angel’s” best win remains his title winning tilt against former UFC featherweight Nick Aguirre, who quietly washed out of the promotion after going 0-2. He’s also arguably undersized for the division, weighing in a whopping six pounds below the featherweight limit in his last appearance.

By contrast, Bashi may have lost his debut to the most prolific prospect destroyer of the last five years, but he didn’t get entirely blown out of the water by Rodriguez either. With eight stoppages to his name, the Michigan native has proved to be a ruthless finisher if he can get his opponent to the floor.

The combination of a short notice call up and Octagon jitters will duly lead Yannis to overextend on something that allows his opponent to get control of him and that will be all she wrote from there. Bashi either chokes “Angel” out or smushes him into the canvas with nasty ground and pound in short order.