The common goal among most up-and-coming regional (or international) mixed martial arts (MMA) prospects is to one day compete for Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Other major promotions such as Bellator MMA, Professional Fighter’s Leagues, and ONE Championship are not far behind. Literally, countless prospects across the globe are all working toward the same career goal, making it difficult to stand out in the sea of competition. As often as possible, MMAmania.com will highlight a different combat sports prospect to keep your eyes on.
Jacinta Austin
Age: 29
Height: 5’5”
Weight class: Strawweight
Record: 7-2
Gym: Carioti MMA
There is no doubt that Australian MMA has been on fire the past few years, with former Featherweight kingpin Alexander Volkanovski running through his division, Jack Della Maddalena running through the Welterweight division, and Steve Erceg fighting for the Flyweight title in his fourth UFC fight. There are also names like Kai Kara-France, Jack Jenkins, Josh Culibao, and Tom Nolan.
One thing is missing: Australian female fighters. There is only one on the roster right now, Casey O’Neill.
The best female fighter in Australia right now is Strawweight Jacinta Austin.
Austin is coming off a five-round beatdown, up a weight class of Amena Hadaya to win the Eternal MMA Flyweight title, a great title from the best Australian regional promotion.
Check out highlights:
Before capturing the Eternal MMA Flyweight title, she fought against Contender Series alumni Karolina Wojcik two months prior and gave her one of the most brutal cuts you’ll ever see.
Austin’s two losses are to current UFC strawweight Josefine Knutsson (lost via split decision) and former Bellator fighter Katharina Dalisda (a fight she was winning until she got caught in a submission.)
There is a lot to like about Austin. She is an all-action fighter who comes forward with his kickboxing and Muay Thai background. Also, she has not padded her record against bad fighters; the “Juggernaut” challenged herself against the best completion in very good promotions. She even went and had a boxing and kickboxing match to stay active – she beat current K-1 Flyweight champ SAHO, who is a beast herself.
Watch it:
Yes, the one criticism is that Austin has eight decision wins. However, they aren’t dull fights; in most of them, she batters her opponents.
With the Contender Series season eight starting up in August, she should be a clear choice for the show, or there is a chance that UFC will straight-up sign her and book her for the Perth, Australia pay-per-view, UFC 306.
Whatever the case, Austin is by far the best Australian female fighter in the world right now and should be in UFC by the end of the year.
“I envision myself fighting in front of Dana White this year because there is nothing left for me to do on the regional level. I just need a shot, and I will prove that I’m on the best,” Austin told MMAMania.com.
Jacinta Austin’s submission game is a PROBLEM!
Dalisda vs. Austin for the women’s strawweight title, September 16.@OktagonOfficial | #OKTAGON46 pic.twitter.com/UD7QbCHzlU
— DAZN MMA (@daznmma) September 7, 2023
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