UFC flyweight contender Amir Albazi raised eyebrows with his first remarks following his UFC Vegas 108 pullout.
Amir Albazi was supposed to clash with Tatsuro Taira in a pivotal flyweight matchup in the UFC Vegas 108 main event this Saturday in Las Vegas. But last weekend, it was reported that Albazi withdrew from the main event, leaving the matchmakers scrambling to find a replacement.
Albazi, who has a history of health issues that have at-times postponed his flyweight ascent, hasn’t fought since a loss to Brandon Moreno at UFC Edmonton last year. It was Albazi’s first loss in the UFC Octagon.
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Amir Albazi says UFC didn’t medically clear him to fight at UFC Vegas 108
Luckily, the UFC matchmakers were able to move quickly to find a replacement for Albazi atop UFC Vegas 108 this weekend. Undefeated flyweight Hyun Sung Park will face Taira in the new UFC Vegas 108 main event.
As for Albazi, the reasoning behind his days’ notice pullout from UFC Vegas 108 remains cloudy. But in his first public remarks since the news broke, Albazi hinted that his withdrawal wasn’t his decision.
In a recent Instagram story post, Albazi addressed his last-second removal from the UFC Vegas 108 main event.
“I finished my entire camp and did everything in my power to be ready, but unfortunately I wasn’t medically cleared in time,” Albazi began.
“The UFC and the commission made the call in the interest of my health and safety. I respect that decision – even if my heart was ready to step inside that cage and handle business. This isn’t the end. Just a small setback. I’ll be back stronger.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart to my fans, my team, and everyone who stands with me through the highs and lows. The Prince will return soon.”
The exact nature of Albazi’s latest health setback remains uncertain, but it sounds like the flyweight contender’s time on the sidelines will be short-lived. Albazi is one of several top flyweight contenders who hasn’t faced UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja in their careers.
Albazi has defeated the likes of Kai Kara-France, Malcolm Gordon, and Alessandro Costa during his UFC tenure.
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Get to know Hyun Sung Park ahead of new UFC Vegas 108 main event
Park, a two-time winner on Road to UFC, was scheduled to face former title challenger Steve Erceg on August 9th at UFC Vegas 109. After Park was rescheduled for the UFC Vegas 108 main event, Erceg will now face Ode’ Osbourne in a bantamweight bout.
Park has a well-rounded style and could give Taira some problems this weekend at UFC Vegas 108. Three of Park’s last four victories have come by rear-naked choke, including his first-round finish of Carlos Hernandez in May.
Park enters UFC Vegas 108 with an undefeated 10-0 record, with all but one of his career wins coming by stoppage. His liver shot knockout of Shannon Ross in December 2023 earned himself a ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus.
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