Amir Albazi is one action closer to a shot at the flyweight title after winning his veryfirst UFC primary occasion.
Although he had to sweat out the reading of the authorities ratings after 5 close rounds, Albazi (17-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC) stayed unbeaten in the promo by winning a extremely close split choice over previous interim title opposition Kai Kara-France (24-11 MMA, 7-4 UFC). Dueling ratings of 48-47 were turned in by the cageside judges, stating Albazi the winner of the flyweight primary occasion of UFC on ESPN 45 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
The battle started at a tentative rate for the opening minute priorto Albazi shot in to clinch versus the cage. The position stalled out as the referee called for action, and they returned to the center to exchange strikes, with Albazi managing the cage. Kara-France started moving forward and landed some good punches and leg kicks. Albazi reset and then returned to moving forward with strikes of his own. The back-and-forth round came to a close with both fighters teasing and looking each other down after the horn.
Adding some spice to this primary occasion 🌶
Round 2️⃣ beginning now! #UFCVegas74 pic.twitter.com/Fk3n85DOWl
— UFC (@ufc) June 4, 2023
Sharp jabs from both landed early in the 2nd round. The flyweights covered every corner of the octagon as they took turns offering strikes. Kara-France worked leg kicks, while both discovered a house for the overhand .
Albazi carriedout his grappling videogame in the 3rd as he dragged Kara-France to the mat. With over 3 minutes to work, Albazi started working from the back, offering brief punches while preserving control of the position to set up submissions. Kara-France tossed punches over his head, however quickly discovered himself battling off a really deep rear-naked choke effort. After directly slipping out of the choke, Kara-France worked his method to reverse the position and ended up drizzling down strikes from the leading in the last seconds priorto the horn.
The veryfirst half of the 4th was invested on the feet. A coupleof periodic strikes were exchanged with Kara-France leading the action. Albazi went for the takedown onceagain, however had no success.
Kara-France scored with tidy strikes early in the 5th. Just as momentum started to settle in his favor, Albazi looked to modification the tide with a takedown. Ho