Introduction
Amir Albazi is a name that many MMA fans have become familiar with in recent years. The 28-year-old flyweight fighter from Sweden has been making waves in the UFC since his debut in 2020. Albazi has quickly established himself as one of the most promising prospects in the UFC flyweight division, with his impressive skills and exciting fighting style.
Early Life and Career
Amir Albazi was born on October 27, 1993, in Baghdad, Iraq. When he was just 8 years old, his family moved to Sweden, where he grew up. Albazi was introduced to martial arts at a young age, starting with taekwondo when he was just 7 years old. He later transitioned to kickboxing and eventually began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA.
Albazi began his professional MMA career in 2015, fighting for various promotions in Europe. He quickly established himself as a top prospect in the flyweight division, racking up an impressive record of 12-1 before signing with the UFC.
UFC Debut and Early Success
Amir Albazi made his UFC debut in July 2020, taking on Malcolm Gordon at UFC Fight Night: Kattar vs. Ige. Albazi put on an impressive performance, submitting Gordon in the second round with a triangle choke. The win earned him a Performance of the Night bonus and quickly put him on the radar of UFC fans and pundits.
Albazi followed up his debut win with another impressive performance, defeating Zhalgas Zhumagulov by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night: Waterson vs. Hill in September 2020. The win solidified Albazi’s status as a rising star in the flyweight division and set him up for bigger fights in the future.
Fighting Style and Strengths
Amir Albazi is a well-rounded fighter with a diverse skillset. He is a skilled striker with quick hands and excellent footwork, but he is also comfortable on the ground, with a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Albazi is known for his aggressive fighting style, constantly pressuring his opponents and looking for the finish.
One of Albazi’s biggest strengths is his grappling, particularly his submission skills. He has won eight of his fights by submission, with a variety of chokes and joint locks in his arsenal. Albazi is also a skilled wrestler, with strong takedowns and a solid top game.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Oh my, have you heard about the thrilling tale of Amir Albazi’s journey in the UFC? It all began on July 18, 2020, when he made his debut on short notice against Malcolm Gordon at UFC Fight Night: Figueiredo vs. Benavidez 2. Can you believe it? He defeated Gordon by submission inside 4 minutes and 42 seconds of the first round! What a feat!
But the excitement doesn’t end there, my friend. Albazi was set to face Raulian Paiva on October 31, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Hall vs. Silva. Unfortunately, Paiva pulled out of the fight on September 11 due to a knee injury. As a result, Albazi was removed from the card. Oh, the disappointment!
But don’t worry, things picked up again when he was scheduled to face Zhalgas Zhumagulov at UFC on ESPN: Smith vs. Clark on November 28, 2020. However, Zhumagulov pulled out due to visa issues, and the bout was rescheduled for UFC 257 on January 24, 2021. Can you believe it? Albazi won the bout via unanimous decision!
Just when you think things were going smoothly, Albazi had to withdraw from his fight against Ode’ Osbourne at UFC on ESPN: Makhachev vs. Moisés on July 17, 2021, due to undisclosed reasons. How perplexing!
But wait, there’s more! Albazi was scheduled to face Tim Elliott at UFC on ESPN: Tsarukyan vs. Gamrot on June 25, 2022. However, Elliott pulled out in mid-June due to undisclosed reasons, and the bout was scrapped. Oh, the burstiness of it all!
But the drama doesn’t end there, folks. Albazi faced Francisco Figueiredo on August 20, 2022, at UFC 278. And guess what? He won the bout via rear-naked choke at the end of the first round! What a stunning victory!
Fast forward to December 17, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 216, and Albazi was set to face Alex Perez. However, Perez withdrew from the fight, and Albazi wound up scheduled against Brandon Royval instead. In late November, Royval pulled out of the bout due to a broken wrist, and was replaced by promotional newcomer Alessandro Costa. Oh, the twist and turns!
But the excitement doesn’t end there, folks! Albazi is set to face Kai Kara-France on June 3, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 45. Can you believe it? What a thrilling journey it has been for Amir Albazi in the UFC.
Future Prospects
With his impressive start in the UFC, Amir Albazi is quickly becoming one of the most exciting prospects in the flyweight division. He is currently ranked #11 in the division, and with a few more wins, he could find himself in title contention. Albazi has expressed his desire to become the first Iraqi-born UFC champion, and with his skills and work ethic, it’s not hard to imagine him achieving that goal.
Amir Albazi Religion
Amir Albazi is a Muslim. He was born in Baghdad, Iraq, to a Muslim family. He fled Iraq with his family when he was 7 years old due to the Iraq War. They settled in Sweden, where Albazi grew up. He has said that his Islamic faith has been a source of strength for him throughout his life, and that it helps him to stay calm and focused before fights.
In a 2022 interview with the BBC, Albazi said:
“I have seen many of the top fighters stressed before they fight. Because of my belief in God I always remain calm. I know that God is with me, and that gives me a lot of strength.”
Conclusion
Amir Albazi is a rising star in the UFC flyweight division, with an impressive record and an exciting fighting style. He has quickly established himself as a top prospect in the division and is poised for even greater success in the future. With his diverse skillset and aggressive fighting style, Albazi is a fighter to watch in the coming years.
FAQs
Where is Amir Albazi from?
Ans: Amir Albazi was born in Baghdad, Iraq, but grew up in Sweden.
What is Amir Albazi’s fighting style?
Ans: Albazi is a well-rounded fighter with a diverse skillset, including striking, grappling, and wrestling.
What is Amir Albazi’s record in the UFC?
Ans: Albazi is currently 16 Wins-1 Loss
What weight class does Amir Albazi compete in?
Ans: Amir Albazi is a flyweight fighter, competing at 125 pounds.
What is Amir Albazi’s goal in the UFC?
Ans: Amir Albazi has expressed his desire to become the first Iraqi-born UFC champion.