The road back from injury to the octagon often tells a story of resilience. For Amir Albazi, that journey took an unexpected detour through a hospital room after UFC Edmonton. The previously undefeated flyweight in the UFC faced former champion Brandon Moreno in a bout that tested both his fighting spirit and his recently healed body.
The fight itself proved to be a masterclass from Moreno, who controlled the action across five rounds. The judges’ scorecards told the tale – 49-46 and two 50-45s in favor of the Mexican star. From his hospital bed, sporting the kind of facial decorations that come free with UFC events, Albazi showed the grace that defines a true martial artist.
“Brandon Moreno was a better man tonight. It’s not our night. But like he said, maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow. I would be back. I will be back better than this,” said Albazi via X.
The past 16 months saw Amir Albazi battle not just one but two serious medical conditions. A heart condition that caused irregular heartbeats would have sent most fighters into early retirement. Add a neck injury that had the doctor suggesting he hang up his fighting gloves. But ‘The Prince‘ isn’t exactly known for following medical advice to the letter.
This loss marks Amir Albazi’s first setback in the UFC. But considering he already overcome a heart problem and a rebellious neck, a decision loss feels more like a speed bump. The Iraqi-born fighter has already proven he can bounce back from bigger challenges!
Amir Albazi Took Solace In Cristiano Ronaldo’s Playing Despite Similar Health Conditions To Him
When athletes face career-threatening health challenges, finding inspiration can come from unexpected places. For UFC flyweight contender Albazi, that inspiration emerged through soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral MMA stories via Google! Follow Us
The road back to the octagon hasn’t been easy for Amir Albazi. After his split-decision victory over Kai Kara-France at UFC Vegas 74, he faced a series of daunting medical hurdles. During training sessions, even basic two-minute grappling rounds left him gasping for air. Medical tests revealed the culprit: supraventricular tachycardia, a heart condition that, surprisingly, he shared with Ronaldo. This is what he said during a recent interview with Shak MMA.
“After a few tests they found out I have this issue which is supraventricular tachycardia. I just know that Cristiano Ronaldo as had the same thing. It kind of gave me some hope that even if Cristiano Ronaldo is playing at the highest level and he also had this. We did a heart surgery after that, came back, started training.”
But that wasn’t the end of Albazi’s troubles. A spinal cord injury dealt another blow, affecting his left arm’s mobility. Yet knowing that Ronaldo had overcome the same heart condition to perform at soccer’s highest level gave Albazi the mental boost he needed.
Also Read: UFC Edmonton Purse And Payouts: How Much Money Will Brandon Moreno, Amir Albazi, And Others Make?
