The highly anticipated bout between the 30-year-old flyweight contender and former UFC champion Brandon Moreno was initially slated to take center stage as the main event at UFC Mexico City.
For Albazi, this presented a significant opportunity as a victory could have propelled him into his inaugural UFC title shot against the reigning champ, Alexandre Pantoja.
However, fate took a different turn as Albazi was forced to withdraw from the fight due to a neck injury. This paved the way for Brandon Royval to step in on short notice and headline the event opposite Moreno.
Royval seized the moment and capitalized on the opportunity, staging a remarkable comeback and clinching a split-decision victory over Moreno in a thrilling battle that swung back and forth.
Despite the exhilarating showdown, Albazi was far from impressed. Taking to social media, he expressed his dissatisfaction with both fighters’ performances, stating, “They both looked horrible. I see you guys soon,” hinting at his eagerness to face them in the future.
Hailing from Iraq, Albazi boasts an impressive 5-0 record in his UFC career thus far. His latest bout saw him secure a contentious split decision triumph over Kai Kara-France back in June.
As the dust settles from the recent event, attention now turns to Pantoja’s upcoming title defense at UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, scheduled for May 4. While the challenger for Pantoja’s belt remains undisclosed, anticipation mounts as the flyweight division braces for another compelling showdown.
