‘I Know I’m Ready for the Title’

Amir
Albazi believes he proved himself to the world with his
split-decision triumph against Kai
Kara-France in the
UFC on ESPN 46 headliner on Saturday night.

“That was a Top-3 ranked flyweight in the world and I got the win
against him,” Albazi said at the post-fight press conference. “I
went five rounds. So I know I can go with these guys for five whole
rounds, and I know I’m ready for the title. I just want to go on to
the next one, get my belt and keep climbing. Keep becoming the king
that I know I am.”

Albazi’s latest triumph was not without controversy, as many
observers felt that Kara-France deserved the decision based on
superior striking volume. Still, Albazi was the one who came
closest to a finish with a tight rear-naked choke in Round 3, and
he also felt that his willingness to advance and land heavy strikes
made a significant difference. Albazi admitted that he spent more
time standing with Kara-France because he wanted to prove
himself.

“I wanted to test myself against him. I felt like my grappling if I
would continue more I would take him out, but I wanted to test my
standup against him,” Albazi said. “They come from a great team
with great standup — that’s what he’s known for, that right hand. I
wanted to put him out. I felt like every time I punched him in the
face or did anything, he went back. I felt like I was putting more
pressure, I was making the fight actually happen. That’s why I got
the win.”

With four consecutive victories at 125 pounds, Albazi is tied for
the longest active winning streak in the UFC’s flyweight division.
He will be an interested observer when Brandon
Moreno defends his belt against Alexandre
Pantoja in the UFC 290 co-main event in July. No matter how
that turns out, Albazi is confident that he has proven himself to
be the No. 1 contender at flyweight.

“I got the win against the No. 3 in the world. Who else is it? Who
else is above him?” he said. “It’s Pantoja, Moreno. I don’t know
what’s going on with Deiveson
Figueiredo. It seems like he doesn’t want to fight at
flyweight, so I’m the next one for the title. Brandon
Royval, we were booked and he pulled out of the fight. I don’t
know what relly happened. It doesn’t make sense that he goes before
me and gets the title shot.”