UFC flyweight contender Asu Almabayev’s post-fight callout at UFC Abu Dhabi was mocked on social media.
Asu Almabayev returned to the win column following his first UFC defeat earlier this year. Almabayev outpointed short-notice replacement Jose Ochoa by unanimous decision just months after a main event loss to Manel Kape.
Almabayev, one of several top prospects in the resurgent UFC flyweight division, is now back in the title conversation after his win over Ochoa. Many wondered who Almabayev would want next after UFC Abu Dhabi, and called out a head-scratching name following his performance.
Asu Almabayev’s UFC Abu Dhabi callout wasn’t well received
Almabayev called out top contender Joshua Van during his post-fight interview at UFC Abu Dhabi with Michael Bisping.
“I’m not really happy with my performance, thank god I won. But who’s next?” Almabayev said.
“Joshua Van. I was supposed to fight him once, he ran away, and now I want a fight with him again!”
Almabayev’s callout confused UFC fans after Van, who defeated Brandon Royval at UFC 317 last month, seemed destined for the next title shot. Van needed mere minutes to respond to Almabayev’s comments.
“SMH [LAUGH], [FACE PALM],” Van replied on X.
UFC fans had a field day in the comments.
“With his sorry a** performance,” one fan wrote.
“You are fighting Pantoja next Joshua do not worry about Asu,” another said.
“A** callout, bro has no chance against the Top 5.”
“Idk what bro was thinking with that call out.”
“What an awful callout. Bro doesn’t even watch the UFC.”
“Don’t fall for it. He’s gonna hug you.”
Van faced off with UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja following the latter’s dominant win over Kai Kara-France at UFC 317, setting up a likely title fight matchup. The UFC matchmakers, including Dana White, have all but confirmed the Pantoja vs. Van fight.
Before falling to Kape earlier this year, Almabayev defeated the likes of Jose Johnson, Matheus Nicolau, and CJ Vergara. He is 5-1 in the UFC Octagon.
Joshua Van set for likely Alexandre Pantoja showdown after intense UFC 317 faceoff
Meanwhile, Van is aiming to become one of the UFC’s youngest-ever titleholders as he prepares to face Pantoja for his next fight. Van, 23, won two fights in three weeks last month, including a TKO win over Bruno Silva at UFC 316.
Pantoja’s time on the sidelines isn’t expected to last long, despite the flyweight champion admitting to several health issues before his win at UFC 317. Pantoja suffered from a severe staph infection that impacted the final weeks of his training for Kara-France.
As for Almabayev, he may have to wait a bit longer to get his desired showdown with Van.
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