Rising UFC contender Amir Albazi celebrates his greatest with title call in Abu Dhabi

Amir Albazi, a rising UFC contender, demanded a championship chance in Abu Dhabi later this year as he celebrated the biggest professional victory of his career. The No. 3-ranked challenger Kai Kara-France was the opponent for the 29-year-old Iraqi flyweight in the main event of UFC Fight Night on Sunday morning at the Apex. The fight was highly contested and ended in a split decision. Albazi, the seventh-ranked contender in the category, won the contest 47-48, 48-47, 48-47, improving his career record to 17-1. Since making his UFC debut in Abu Dhabi in 2020 during the first Fight Island series, he has a record of 5-0.

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Following the announcement of his most recent victory, Albazi made a request to the victor of the title match between flyweight champion Brandon Moreno and Alexandre Pantoja scheduled for next month inside the octagon. When Michael Bisping asked Albazi who he wanted to speak with next, Albazi responded: “There is no name. There is only one thing I want. And I will get that title. That’s all that matters. Abu Dhabi, October 21. I know they’re coming to Abu Dhabi, it’s my people, give me that fight. Pantoja-Moreno, whoever wins that fight, I want to be next. I want to get my title. I’m next. Let’s go.”

The UFC 294 at Etihad Arena is scheduled for October 21, 2023

With UFC 294 at Etihad Arena on October 21, the UFC makes its way back to Abu Dhabi. The card will feature at least one world title fight, although no matches have been confirmed as of yet. The current lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev, is expected to defend the title he won at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi last year, and the welterweight champion, Leon Edwards, has requested that his upcoming defence also take place in the emirate.

Regarding his tight victory over France, who had previously challenged for the temporary title, which could have gone either way, Albazi said: “I know it was a close fight. It’s not how I planned this fight to go. I showed my guts. I showed what I can bring to the table. I’m just having fun, maybe a bit too much fun. Next time I come in, I like to put on finishes. A win is a win but next time I’ll put on a better show.” Amir Albazi has actually competed twice in Abu Dhabi; the most recent contest was his victory against Zhalgas Zhumagulov at UFC 257 in January 2021 by unanimous decision.