Amir Albazi talks headlining ADXC 8, Pantoja vs. Asakura at UFC 310

“I’m very, very excited for this. This is probably the best grappling event I’ve attended so, I’m actually excited to compete in the event. There are a lot of good names here. My base and my roots is jiu-jitsu. So, I’m excited to put on a show again and do what I do best.”

Aug 20, 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Amir Albazi (red gloves) fights Francisco Figueiredo (blue gloves) during UFC 278 at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

“I think his grappling is good, but like I always say, there’s levels to this game. In can be good in jiu-jitsu, in the UFC, but when it comes to pure jiu-jitsu, I know I’m the man. I’m the guy that does it all. I’m excited to be able to showcase my skills against a known submission artist, too.”

Aug 20, 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Amir Albazi (red gloves) reacts after defeating Francisco Figueiredo (blue gloves) during UFC 278 at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

“I’ve always been an aggressive fighter, in grappler, too. I’m excited. So, my opponent is stuck in a cage instead of a mat where they can always run out. I prefer the cage to the mat.”

“Yes, I’ve competed all over the world, in European Championships, Asian Championships, and World Championships – both in gi and no-gi. So, I know the experience is on my side, but it’s always exciting to go back to grappling. “It’s been a while. I mostly do mixed martial arts now so, it’s a good feeling to be back where I belong. People can expect a really, really good match. I always make sure to make it exciting. My style is very aggressive. So, they’re in for a show.”

Nov 2, 2024; Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; (Editors note: blood) Brandon Moreno (red gloves) fights Amir Albazi (blue gloves) in a flyweight bout during UFC Fight Night at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images

“I don’t know if it was ring rust. I really don’t want to make excuses, but I know it wasn’t my day. It wasn’t the same Amir that they’ve seen in the past. Everyone who knows MMA saw that part. If it was ring rust, long time off, surgeries, I don’t know. I just want to get back into the cage, get another win, and show people that I am the best flyweight fighter in the world.”

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JUNE 03: (L-R) Amir Albazi of Iraq punches Kai Kara-France of New Zealand in a flyweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on June 03, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

“No names in mind. All I’m focused on is getting back and getting a win. It can be against whoever the UFC puts in front of me. I don’t think I’m in a position to say and choose, either. I just want to go in, get a good performance, get a good win, and then I can start calling out some other names.”

“It’s actually a very interesting fight. A lot of people think Kai Asakura is just a new face in MMA. He’s a new face to the UFC, but Kai Asakura is a very dangerous fighter. People who know MMA, who aren’t just a regular casual, know he’s a big threat to Alexandre Pantoja. Since we’ve seen him be not so comfortable in the standup game, where Kai Asakura is probably the better man. “But, this is MMA. The fight can go wherever. So, if Pantoja can take him down, he’ll most likely win. But, it’s probably Kai Asakura’s first fight at flyweight so, it’ll be interesting to see how he performs there. It’s going to be an interesting fight, and I’m looking forward to watching it.”