Outside Source
Amir Albazi believes Tatsuro Taira is one more win away from a title shot and is willing to be the Japanese prospect’s final test.
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An injury-laden year has kept Albazi out of competition since a split-decision win over Kai Kara-France in his first UFC headliner in June 2023. After undergoing heart surgery in November 2023, Albazi was preparing for a clash against former champ Brandon Moreno at UFC Mexico this past February before being forced out due to a neck injury that required immediate surgery. Albazi was replaced on short notice by Brandon Royval, who avenged a 2020 loss to Moreno with a split-decision win.
Pantoja has successfully defended his title three times since Albazi’s last fight, most recently against Steve Erceg at UFC 301 this past May. It has been hard for Albazi to sit on the sidelines watching the rest of division.
“It’s been so hard to deal with this,” Albazi told MMAjunkie.com. “I had a heart surgery back in November actually. So, imagine coming out from a heart surgery, start training, getting into a camp [for] fighting Moreno, the next title contender. And then I get this, I have to do another surgery for my neck. It was hitting me everyday when I see guys just fighting and fighting and fighting. But this just motivates me to get back in and actually be more active than ever.”
However, Albazi has used the layoff productively, making adjustments to his game —even changing gyms from Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas to Fight Ready in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Iraqi standout promises to be his best version ever on his return to action.
“I feel better than ever right now because I had time now in my career, to sit back, reflect on my style, on my skills, what I can do better, what I already do good, how do I improve that,” he said. “I changed gyms, so I don’t live in Las Vegas anymore. I’m training at Fight Ready in Phoenix. So, I just feel like a way better version than I was a year back. That’s why I’m so excited. I can’t wait to go back in. I used this time off in a good way, I didn’t use it to just sit around and wait.”
The newest entry in flyweight title talks is undefeated Japanese contender Taira, who has finished four of his six UFC wins. While his most recent win over Alex Perez came via an injury TKO last month, Taira initiated the grappling exchange that resulted in Perez blowing out his knee. Regardless, Albazi believes Taira needs another win to deserve a title shot and is willing to be face the Japanese standout on his return to the Octagon.
“I think he needs one more fight, with someone in the Top 5 – Top 6 maybe,” Albazi said. “Maybe the winner of [Muhammad] Mokaev [vs.] Manel Kape or if they give him [Brandon] Moreno, [Brandon] Royval, anyone that’s kind of battle tested. So then after that fight [he deserves the title shot], yeah, sure, why not? The guy keeps winning, the guy is good. Or put him against me. I’m ready for that challenge too.”
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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