Amir “The Prince” Albazi is an Iraqi professional mixed martial artist competing in the UFC’s flyweight division. Known for his sharp grappling, dangerous submissions, and calm fighting style, Albazi has built a strong career across the European scene, Bellator, Brave CF, and the UFC.
Albazi owns a professional MMA record of 17-3 and has defeated notable opponents including Kai Kara-France, Alessandro Costa, Francisco Figueiredo, Zhalgas Zhumagulov, Malcolm Gordon, and Ryan Curtis. Although recent losses to Brandon Moreno and Kyoji Horiguchi slowed his title push, “The Prince” remains one of the most skilled grapplers in the flyweight division.
Amir Albazi Fighter Information
| Stats | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Amir Yahya Abdulamir Al-Bazi |
| Arabic Name | أمير يحيى عبد الأمير البازي |
| Nickname | The Prince |
| Born | October 27, 1993 |
| Birthplace | Baghdad, Iraq |
| Nationality | Iraqi |
| Height | 5’5″ (165 cm) |
| Reach | N/A |
| Division | Flyweight |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Team | Xtreme Couture / Fight Ready |
| Record | 17-3 |
| Former Titles | UCMMA Bantamweight Champion, FSC Bantamweight Champion |
| @amiralbazi |
What Is Amir Albazi Known For?
Albazi is best known for five things:
- His elite submission game.
- Becoming one of Iraq’s top MMA fighters.
- His rise through Bellator, Brave CF, and the UFC.
- His split-decision win over Kai Kara-France.
- His goal of becoming the first Arab UFC champion.
Although Albazi can strike, his grappling remains his biggest weapon. He has nine submission victories and has never lost by knockout or submission in professional MMA. As a result, opponents must stay alert whenever the fight reaches the mat.
Why Is Amir Albazi Called “The Prince”?
Albazi competes under the nickname “The Prince.”
The name fits his calm, confident, and controlled personality. He does not rely on wild trash talk. Instead, he carries himself with quiet belief and lets his technical style speak for him.
Moreover, the nickname connects well with his ambition. Albazi has openly stated that he wants to become the first Arab UFC champion and help grow MMA in Iraq.
Amir Albazi’s Early Life
Albazi was born in Baghdad, Iraq.
When he was seven years old, he fled the country with his family during a difficult period of conflict. His family first moved to Syria, where he reunited with his father after years apart. Later, they moved to Sweden and settled in Bredäng, a district in Stockholm with a large immigrant and refugee population.
Those early experiences shaped Albazi’s toughness. However, he also found trouble as a teenager and became involved with a street gang before martial arts changed his path.
How Did Amir Albazi Get Into MMA?
Albazi discovered MMA after watching an old UFC fight on television.
The sport immediately grabbed his attention. Therefore, he searched for the cheapest MMA gym he could find and signed up the next day.
That decision changed his life. Instead of continuing down a dangerous path, Albazi redirected his energy into training. He later moved to London in 2013 and earned a degree in Sports Science from the University of Roehampton.
Amir Albazi’s Early MMA Career
Albazi began his professional MMA career with immediate success.
He won his debut by submission in just 59 seconds and then built an impressive unbeaten streak. During that run, he captured regional titles and gained experience across Europe.
Eventually, Albazi joined Bellator, where he extended his unbeaten record with wins over Jamie Powell and Iurie Bejenari.
His first professional loss came against Jose “Shorty” Torres in Brave CF. However, he quickly rebounded with a kimura submission win over Ryan Curtis.
Amir Albazi’s UFC Career
Albazi made his UFC debut on short notice in July 2020 against Malcolm Gordon.
He won the fight by first-round triangle choke and immediately showed that his grappling could trouble UFC-level opponents. Afterward, he defeated Zhalgas Zhumagulov by unanimous decision and submitted Francisco Figueiredo with a rear-naked choke.
Albazi then knocked out Alessandro Costa in the third round before earning the biggest win of his career against Kai Kara-France in a five-round main event.
However, the Kara-France decision drew debate, with many media outlets scoring the fight for Kara-France. Still, the win pushed Albazi closer to title contention.
Later, he suffered unanimous decision losses to Brandon Moreno and Kyoji Horiguchi. Even so, those fights came against elite flyweights and showed that Albazi remains part of the division’s top tier.
What Is Amir Albazi’s Fighting Style?
Albazi is a grappling-focused fighter with strong submission instincts.
He works well from top position, attacks the back, and looks for chokes whenever opponents expose their neck. In addition, his kimura game has been a major part of his career.
Although his striking has improved, Albazi does his best work when he mixes punches with level changes and grappling threats. Consequently, opponents must respect both his forward pressure and his submission ability.
What Has Amir Albazi Accomplished?
Albazi has built a strong résumé across several major promotions.
His accomplishments include:
- UFC flyweight contender.
- Former UCMMA Bantamweight Champion.
- Former FightStar Championship Bantamweight Champion.
- Bellator veteran.
- Brave CF veteran.
- Win over Kai Kara-France.
- Nine professional submission victories.
- One of the most successful Iraqi fighters in MMA history.
Amir Albazi’s Personal Life
Outside the cage, Albazi is known for his intelligence, language skills, and interest in history.
He speaks Arabic, Swedish, and English. He has also described himself as a “history geek” with an interest in conspiracy theories and pyramidology.
In addition, Albazi has dealt with serious health challenges. He underwent heart surgery for supraventricular tachycardia in 2023 and later had surgery for a spine injury in 2024. Despite those setbacks, he continued competing at the highest level.
Why Amir Albazi Stands Out
Many fighters reach the UFC after difficult journeys. However, Amir Albazi’s path stands out.
He fled Iraq as a child, rebuilt his life in Europe, overcame trouble as a teenager, earned a university degree, and became one of the top flyweights in the world. Moreover, he has carried the hopes of Iraqi and Arab MMA fans while chasing UFC gold.
With his submission skills, experience, and championship ambition, “The Prince” remains one of the most important flyweights to watch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Amir Albazi?
Amir Albazi is an Iraqi mixed martial artist who competes in the UFC flyweight division. He is known for his grappling, submissions, and goal of becoming the first Arab UFC champion.
Why is Amir Albazi called “The Prince”?
Albazi uses the nickname “The Prince,” which reflects his calm personality, confident approach, and championship ambitions.
What is Amir Albazi’s fighting style?
Albazi is a grappling-focused fighter known for submissions, back control, kimuras, and strong ground attacks.
