UFC flyweight contenders Amir Albazi and Brandon Royval have been going at each other online, as they both set their demands for a possible fight.
Former title challenger, Brandon Royval, bounced back from his loss to Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 296 this past December, by beating Brandon Moreno just two months later.
After returning to the win column knowing he would need another win to earn another title shot, ‘Raw Dawg’ called for a fight with number three ranked contender, Amir Albazi.
Albazi was scheduled to face Moreno in February, but withdrew because of an injury, leaving the door open for Royval.
Royval wants Albazi fight on the rumored Denver Fight Night event
Being the higher-ranked contender, Royval feels he is able to call the shots and has done just that by calling for a fight in his home state, Colorado.
The UFC is rumored to be holding its July 13th event in Denver, Colorado, but it is yet to be confirmed by the promotion. Ariel Helwani reported that a women’s flyweight fight between Rose Namajunas and Maycee Barber is being targeted to headline the event.
Earlier this week, Royval hinted that a fight between him and Albazi was as good as announced and that it would be contested over five rounds, saying on his Instagram story, “Royval #1 vs Albazi #3. July 13th, 5-round fight.”
Despite that, ‘The Prince’ shut down the Coloradan’s claims, stating that he wouldn’t fight in Denver.
“Looking for every advantage you can get? Denver, nah mate. I make the decisions here.” Albazi responded.
With the 30-year-old shutting down the proposal to fight in Denver, Royval responded that he’d beat Albazi wherever the fight was.
“B**** made, but I’ve been knowing that. Advantage, I’d beat your ass in an alley in Iraq. Of course, I want to fight in my city. Kai (Kara-France) won that fight anyway.” Royval claimed.
Albazis’s last fight against Kai Kara-France ended with an extremely controversial decision, and the Iraqi was ever so slightly favored in the split decision.
Albazi fires back at Royval and sets his demands
After a neck injury resulted in him withdrawing from his scheduled fight with Moreno, Albazi required surgery and has admitted that he won’t even be cleared to fight in July.
Despite that, the flyweight title contender does have a date in mind that he would like to fight Royval, and has set his demands.
“B**** ass Royval doesn’t want to fight apparently. I am still not cleared until July, coming back after two back-to-back surgeries. If you are so good and so tough let’s fight in September, I will ragdoll you like Pantoja did.” Albazi responded.
If the UFC does put this fight together at flyweight, it could indicate who Alexandre Pantoja’s next title defense will come against. If Albazi was able to pick up the win, it would present a new matchup for the Brazilian champion.
However, if Royval were to beat Albazi in a potential fight, the UFC may decide to give the winner of Muhammad Mokaev vs Manel Kape the title shot, with those two contenders fighting at UFC 304 in July.