Amir Albazi Bio
Amir Yahya Abdulamir Al-Bazi, widely known as Amir Albazi, is an Iraqi professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Nicknamed “The Prince,” he is recognized for his well-rounded skill set, combining a strong Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu base with sharp striking and cardio. Albazi has built a reputation as one of the most determined fighters to emerge from the Middle East, with a professional record that has placed him within the top tier of the UFC flyweight division.
Outside the cage, Albazi is known for his thoughtful personality and multilingual abilities, speaking Arabic, Swedish, and English. He is also a dedicated student of history and has spoken openly about his long-term ambition to develop the sport of mixed martial arts in his home country of Iraq.
Early Life and Background
Amir Albazi was born on October 27, 1993, in Baghdad, Iraq. When he was seven years old, he fled Baghdad in the middle of the night alongside his family, eventually reaching Syria, where he reunited with his father after years of separation. After roughly a year and a half in Syria, the family relocated to Sweden, where they settled in Bredäng, a district in southern Stockholm known for its large immigrant and refugee population.
Growing up in Stockholm, Albazi faced significant personal challenges and became involved in street fights during his teenage years, which led him to join a local street gang. His introduction to mixed martial arts came almost by accident, after watching an old UFC fight on television late at night. Captivated by the sport, he searched for the most affordable gym nearby and signed up the very next day, a decision that ultimately redirected his life toward professional competition.
In 2013, Albazi moved to London, where he continued his athletic development and pursued higher education. He later graduated from the University of Roehampton with a degree in sports science, balancing his academic commitments with his growing commitment to mixed martial arts training.
Path to MMA
Albazi began training seriously as a teenager in Sweden, building a foundation in striking and grappling. He competed as a bantamweight early in his amateur and professional career, amassing experience in regional promotions across Europe. His dedication to the sport quickly turned amateur success into opportunities on the professional circuit.
His professional debut came in World Ultimate Full Contact 15, where he submitted Pavlo Kulish in just 59 seconds. That victory launched an eight-fight win streak that caught the attention of major promotions. He went on to compete in Bellator, defeating Jamie Powell and Iurie Bejenari to extend his unbeaten run to ten bouts, establishing himself as a rising prospect on the international stage.
Albazi’s first professional loss came in Brave CF against Jose “Shorty” Torres, but he quickly rebounded with a victory over Ryan Curtis at Brave CF 29. These performances in well-regarded regional and international promotions positioned him for an opportunity with the UFC, the largest mixed martial arts organization in the world.
Amir Albazi Career
Early Career (2009–2019)
Albazi launched his professional career in 2009 competing as a bantamweight, accumulating an impressive winning streak across European promotions. He trained with London Shootfighters from 2013 to 2021, refining his grappling and submission skills during a critical developmental phase of his career. This period gave him the technical foundation that would later define his fighting style in major promotions.
Following his move to bantamweight competition in Bellator and later Brave CF, Albazi faced his first defeat against Jose Torres. However, the loss served as a learning experience, and he responded with a confident victory over Ryan Curtis. By the end of this developmental era, Albazi had compiled a record that demonstrated his versatility as a finisher and his ability to adapt under pressure.
UFC Debut and Establishment (2020–2022)
Albazi made his UFC debut on short notice on July 18, 2020, against Malcolm Gordon at UFC Fight Night: Figueiredo vs. Benavidez 2. He delivered a first-round submission win, immediately announcing his arrival on the sport’s biggest stage. The victory signaled a transition in his career, as he began competing as a Flyweight starting in 2017, though he returned to bantamweight briefly in 2020.
Over the next two years, Albazi navigated several opponent changes and rescheduled bouts, including canceled matchups against Raulian Paiva, Zhalgas Zhumagulov, Ode’ Osbourne, and Tim Elliott. Despite the disruptions, he produced key wins against Zhalgas Zhumagulov via unanimous decision at UFC 257, Francisco Figueiredo via rear-naked choke at UFC 278, and Alessandro Costa via knockout at UFC Fight Night 216. These victories pushed him up the flyweight rankings and earned him recognition as a contender.
Title Contention Era (2023–2025)
Albazi faced Kai Kara-France on June 3, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 46, winning by split decision in a fight that drew significant criticism, with 19 of 21 media outlets scoring the bout in favor of Kara-France. A scheduled bout with Brandon Moreno in early 2024 was postponed due to a neck injury that required surgery, and he later faced Kyoji Horiguchi on February 7, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 266, losing by unanimous decision.
He met Brandon Moreno in the main event of UFC Fight Night 246 on November 2, 2024, and lost by unanimous decision. A planned main event against Tatsuro Taira on August 2, 2025, at UFC on ESPN 71 was canceled after Albazi withdrew due to injury. Throughout this period, he trained with Xtreme Couture Mixed Martial Arts from 2021 to 2024 before moving to Fight Ready MMA.
Style and Strengths
Albazi is widely regarded as a well-rounded mixed martial artist, with a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu underscoring his grappling credentials. His nine career submission wins highlight his ability to finish fights on the ground, while his five knockouts demonstrate legitimate striking power. He combines these skills with strong cardio and a tactical approach, often relying on patience and precision rather than reckless aggression.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most defining moments of Albazi’s career came with his UFC debut submission of Malcolm Gordon in the first round. His rear-naked choke victory over Francisco Figueiredo at UFC 278 and his third-round knockout of Alessandro Costa at UFC Fight Night 216 further cemented his reputation as a dangerous finisher. His split decision win over Kai Kara-France, despite controversy, marked his arrival as a top-ranked flyweight contender.
Amir Albazi Career Wins
Amir Albazi has compiled a strong professional record across multiple promotions, including Bellator, Brave CF, and the UFC. With 17 total professional wins, including 5 by knockout, 9 by submission, and 2 by decision, he has demonstrated finishing ability in every area of the sport. His career has been marked by steady progression from regional prospect to ranked UFC contender.
UFC Highlights
Within the UFC, Albazi has recorded several significant victories, including first-round submission wins and a high-profile split decision over Kai Kara-France. His knockout of Alessandro Costa at UFC Fight Night 216 remains one of the most talked-about finishes of his UFC run. Though he has experienced setbacks in recent bouts, his body of work in the promotion has firmly established him as a top flyweight.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside the UFC, Albazi enjoyed an unbeaten streak of ten professional bouts to begin his career, competing in World Ultimate Full Contact, Bellator, and Brave CF. His submission of Pavlo Kulish in 59 seconds in his professional debut remains one of the fastest finishes of his early career, and his rebound win over Ryan Curtis at Brave CF 29 demonstrated his resilience after his first loss.
Amir Albazi Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Amir Albazi was born in Baghdad, Iraq, into a family that endured the hardships of displacement during his early childhood. His family fled Iraq when he was seven years old, eventually resettling in Sweden after a period in Syria. These formative experiences shaped his resilience and work ethic, both inside and outside the cage.
Personal Life
Albazi currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona, where he trains with Fight Ready MMA. He is trilingual, fluent in Arabic, Swedish, and English, and has described himself as a history enthusiast with a particular interest in conspiracy theories and pyramidology. In a 2022 interview with the BBC, he shared his ambition to become the first Arab UFC champion and to help develop mixed martial arts in Iraq. He underwent heart surgery in 2023 for supraventricular tachycardia and spinal surgery in 2024 to address a neck injury.
2025 Season Performance
Amir Albazi entered 2025 ranked among the top flyweights in the UFC, looking to build momentum after a difficult stretch that included a unanimous decision loss to Brandon Moreno in late 2024. His February 7, 2025, bout against Kyoji Horiguchi at UFC Fight Night 266 resulted in a unanimous decision loss, temporarily halting his push toward a title shot. Despite the setback, his experience and finishing ability kept him within striking distance of the division’s elite.
A scheduled main event against rising contender Tatsuro Taira at UFC on ESPN 71 on August 2, 2025, was expected to be a defining moment of his year, but Albazi was forced to withdraw due to injury. He was replaced by Park Hyun-sung, and the cancellation underscored the physical toll of his recent surgery recoveries. Throughout 2025, Albazi has remained focused on rehabilitation and continued training with his team in Phoenix.
Looking ahead, Albazi’s 2025 campaign has been defined more by adversity than by victories, but his track record suggests he remains a serious threat in the flyweight division. With improved health and continued training under Fight Ready MMA, he is expected to pursue another path back into title contention. His long-term goal of becoming the first Arab UFC champion continues to drive his preparations for future bouts.
