ABU DHABI – [autotag]Amir Albazi[/autotag] is ready to return to UFC title contention.
Winner of six in a row, Albazi (17-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC) was scheduled to face the former champion [autotag]Brandão Moreno[/autotag] at UFC Fight Night 237 in February, but was forced out due to a neck injury that required surgery.
Albazi is willing to reschedule his fight with Moreno (21-8-2 MMA, 9-5-2 UFC), or face anyone in the UFC flyweight rankings to cement himself as the No. 1 contender.
“Right now, (Moreno) would make more sense, but I don’t mind fighting even lower in the rankings,” Albazi told MMA Junkie. “Whoever wants to fight, I’m here, I’m waiting. I’m going to show why I’m number 3 in the world.”
UFC flyweight champion [autotag]Alexandre Pantoja[/autotag] (28-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC) already holds wins over top 10 flyweights Moreno, Manel Kape, Brandon Royval, Alex Perez and Steve Erceg.
Albazi would represent a new challenge and the 30-year-old believes he has the ability and ability to dethrone Pantoja.
“I’m different than anyone else he fought,” Albazi said. “He fought almost the entire division and won the entire division, and I think that’s why I deserve the title shot – me and Tatsuro Taira, who is also new to the mix. Kai Asakura, they signed him, but I think I suit him perfectly.
“I don’t think his jiu-jitsu is better than mine. I think I’m a better striker than him. I think I pack more punching power than him. So, stylistically for me, it’s a perfect matchup. If I can achieve that shot, I’d love to show people what I’m talking about.”
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This article was originally published on MMA Junkie: Amir Albazi open to re-booking Brandon Moreno, confident he ‘fits perfectly’ with Alexandre Pantoja
