Amir Albazi Bio
Amir Yahya Abdulamir Al-Bazi, widely known as Amir Albazi, is an Iraqi professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Nicknamed “The Prince,” he has built a reputation as a balanced and dangerous contender inside the cage. As of July 1, 2025, he is ranked number four in the UFC flyweight rankings, cementing his place among the division’s elite. Albazi’s journey from a war-torn childhood in Baghdad to the bright lights of the UFC reflects years of discipline, sacrifice, and a deep passion for martial arts.
Early Life and Background
Amir Albazi was born on October 27, 1993, in Baghdad, Iraq. When he was seven years old, his family fled Baghdad in the middle of the night, eventually reaching Syria, where he reunited with his father after years of separation. The family spent roughly a year and a half in Syria before relocating to Sweden in search of safety and stability.
The Albazi family eventually settled in Bredäng, a district in southern Stockholm where immigrants and refugees made up the majority of the local population. Growing up in a tough environment, young Amir got into frequent fights and ran into trouble as a teenager, briefly joining a street gang. His life changed the moment he saw an old UFC fight on television, an experience that sparked an immediate fascination with mixed martial arts. Determined to learn, he searched for the cheapest gym in his area and signed up the very next day, beginning a journey that would eventually carry him to the highest level of the sport.
Path to MMA
Albazi began training and competing in amateur and regional MMA events, developing a well-rounded skill set rooted in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His professional career started in 2009, competing primarily at bantamweight before eventually moving down to flyweight. He trained at London Shootfighters from 2013 to 2021, where he refined his grappling-heavy style and built a strong foundation in submission wrestling, earning a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu along the way.
While competing in promotions such as the World Ultimate Full Contact, Bellator, and Brave Combat Federation, Albazi strung together an impressive run of victories and gained valuable experience against international competition. His first professional loss came against Jose “Shorty” Torres in Brave CF, a setback he quickly bounced back from with a win over Ryan Curtis. These formative years on the European and Middle Eastern circuits prepared him for the biggest stage in the sport.
Amir Albazi Career
Early Career (2009–2019)
Albazi made his professional debut in World Ultimate Full Contact 15, submitting Pavlo Kulish in just 59 seconds, a performance that announced his arrival as a finisher. He then reeled off eight straight wins before transitioning to Bellator, where he extended the streak to ten bouts with victories over Jamie Powell and Iurie Bejenari. Competing mostly at bantamweight during this era, he built a reputation as a submission specialist with dangerous ground-and-pound.
His first career loss came in the Middle Eastern promotion Brave CF at the hands of Jose Torres, but Albazi responded with a composed win over Ryan Curtis at Brave CF 29. These international bouts sharpened his ability to perform under varied rules and travel demands, helping him evolve into a more complete mixed martial artist ahead of his UFC opportunity.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (2020–Present)
Albazi made his UFC debut on short notice on July 18, 2020, against Malcolm Gordon at UFC Fight Night: Figueiredo vs. Benavidez 2, finishing Gordon by submission in the first round. After a series of cancelled bouts involving Raulian Paiva, Zhalgas Zhumagulov, Ode’ Osbourne, and Tim Elliott, he returned at UFC 257 in January 2021 and captured a unanimous decision victory over Zhumagulov. He continued to stack wins with a first-round rear-naked choke of Francisco Figueiredo at UFC 278 in August 2022 and a third-round knockout of Alessandro Costa later that December.
On June 3, 2023, Albazi faced Kai Kara-France at UFC on ESPN 46, winning by split decision in a closely contested bout that drew heavy criticism from media and fans. He was later booked against former two-time flyweight champion Brandon Moreno, first at UFC Fight Night 237 in February 2024, but withdrew due to a neck injury. The pair were rescheduled for November 2, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 246, where Albazi suffered a unanimous decision loss, only the second defeat of his career. He was next expected to headline UFC on ESPN 71 against Tatsuro Taira on August 2, 2025, but withdrew one week before the event due to injury and was replaced by Park Hyun-sung.
Fight Ready MMA Era (2024–Present)
Following his time with Xtreme Couture, where he trained from 2021 to 2024, Albazi aligned with Fight Ready MMA, widely regarded as one of the premier fight camps in the southwestern United States. Training out of the gym’s base in Phoenix, Arizona, he has continued developing his well-rounded game alongside several top UFC contenders.
Despite the injury setback that forced him out of his August 2025 booking, Albazi remains a top-five presence in the flyweight division. His association with Fight Ready MMA signals a focused effort to return to title contention, with the camp’s depth and coaching infrastructure offering a strong platform for the next phase of his career.
Driving Style and Strengths
Amir Albazi is best known for his elite submission grappling, sharp jiu-jitsu instincts, and increasingly polished striking. He blends patient pressure with opportunistic finishes, often luring opponents into grappling exchanges where his purple-belt Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu background takes over. He also demonstrates strong cardio and a measured, strategic approach, frequently forcing opponents into late-round mistakes.
Notable Events and Milestones
Albazi’s most memorable UFC moments include his 59-second debut submission of Pavlo Kulish, his first-round rear-naked choke of Francisco Figueiredo at UFC 278, and a third-round knockout of Alessandro Costa. Reaching the number four ranking in the UFC flyweight division stands as a defining milestone of his career.
Amir Albazi Career Wins
Amir Albazi has compiled a verified professional record of 17 wins and 2 losses across 19 bouts. Of his 17 victories, 5 have come by knockout, 9 by submission, and 2 by decision, showcasing a balanced finishing ability across all areas of mixed martial arts.
UFC Highlights
Inside the UFC, Albazi has earned several statement victories, including first-round finishes of Malcolm Gordon and Francisco Figueiredo, a third-round knockout of Alessandro Costa, and a decision win over Kai Kara-France. His UFC debut submission remains one of the more memorable short-notice performances in the flyweight division in recent years.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside the UFC, Albazi strung together a ten-bout unbeaten streak that included wins in World Ultimate Full Contact, Bellator, and Brave Combat Federation. He holds notable victories over Jamie Powell, Iurie Bejenari, and Ryan Curtis, performances that helped establish his international credentials before his promotion to the UFC roster.
Amir Albazi Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Albazi was raised in a tight-knit Iraqi family shaped by years of displacement and perseverance. His father’s long absence and the family’s flight from Baghdad left a lasting impact, fueling a determination that carried him through his early years in Sweden.
Personal Life
Albazi is trilingual, speaking Arabic, Swedish, and English fluently. He has described himself as a “history geek” with a strong interest in studying conspiracy theories and pyramidology. In a December 2022 interview with the BBC, he expressed his goal of becoming the first Arab UFC champion and his long-term ambition to return to Iraq and help develop mixed martial arts there. He is a graduate of the University of Roehampton, where he earned a degree in sports science.
2025 Season Performance
Amir Albazi entered 2025 as the number four ranked flyweight in the UFC, positioning himself firmly in the title conversation. The year brought a setback when his scheduled rematch-caliber bout against Brandon Moreno at UFC Fight Night 246 in late 2024 carried over into early 2025 momentum, ultimately ending in a unanimous decision loss, only the second defeat of his career.
Looking ahead, Albazi was booked in the main event of UFC on ESPN 71 on August 2, 2025, against rising contender Tatsuro Taira, a bout that would have served as a critical statement opportunity. Unfortunately, he was forced to withdraw one week before the event due to injury, with Park Hyun-sung stepping in as a replacement.
Despite the injury, Albazi remains firmly inside the flyweight top five and continues to train with Fight Ready MMA in Phoenix. With a deep well of experience, a strong team behind him, and clear motivation to become the first Arab UFC champion, his outlook for the remainder of 2025 and beyond remains strong.