Austin Bashi vs James Dunn Full Fight – XFC 45

Austin Bashi defeated James Dunn via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) in a bantamweight bout at XFC 45. The event took place on August 6, 2021, at the DeltaPlex Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Leading up to the bout, there was notable tension between the two fighters. The 19-year-old undefeated prospect Austin Bashi (3-0) faced a vocal James Dunn (3-3). Dunn heavily utilized pre-fight trash talk and in-cage taunts to try to get inside Bashi’s head, confidently predicting a quick finish. Bashi, however, remained mentally composed and focused entirely on his strategic game plan. 

• Dominant Wrestling: Right out of the gate, Bashi pushed the pace with aggressive wrestling. He consistently shot for double-leg takedowns, forcing Dunn to carry his weight against the cage. 

• Positional Control: While Dunn initially showed some resilience and stuffed a few early takedowns, Bashi’s relentless pressure ultimately wore him down. Once on the ground, Bashi astutely neutralized Dunn’s hip movement and avoided wrist control. 
• Striking Mix-up: On the feet and in the clinch, Bashi integrated calculated calf kicks and knees to the inside of the thigh to sap Dunn’s energy. 
• Pacewear: As the three-round fight progressed into the later stages, Dunn grew visibly fatigued. This exhaustion allowed Bashi to transition fluidly and secure takedowns with increasing ease. 

Bashi completely dictated the terms of the fight over all 15 minutes, sweeping the judges’ scorecards for a clear victory to move his professional record to 4-0.