Amir Albazi aims to make Tim Elliott’s final fight be their UFC on ESPN 38 bout.
After they traded barbs on social media, Albazi (14-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) and Elliott (18-12-1 MMA, 7-10 UFC) will settle their differences in a flyweight clash June 25.
Although Albazi respects Elliott’s experience, he wants their matchup to be both a passing of the guard and a harsh reality check for the former UFC flyweight title challenger.
“He had some good fights, but for me, I’m too young. I’m too hungry, too strong for him,” Albazi told MMA Junkie. “That’s exactly how I see it. He’s old and I’m just going in there (to) expose him. I’m gonna make him retire. That’s my plan. After that, he’s just gonna think about retirement. He’s gonna say, ‘Sh*t, maybe I’m not as good as I thought I was.’ That’s the mindset I want to give him after this fight.”
He continued, “I’m just gonna use your name to climb up the ladder. That’s it. So if you want to fight me, perfect. Even better. Let’s go. I just hope when he sees me face-to-face that he keeps that same energy, not look down to the ground like he did last time walking in (the UFC Performance Institute). Just look me in the eyes.”
With many submission wins to his name, including a first-round triangle choke of Malcolm Gordon in his UFC debut, Albazi doubts Elliott will want to go to the ground with him.
“I’m gonna maul him on the ground,” Albazi said. “If he thinks he’s the same type of grappler as me, he can forget that. None of these guys can do what I do on the ground. None of them. So on the ground, if you want to come down to my world, come, and I’ll show you. I’m gonna school you.”
Amir Albazi plans to retire Tim Elliott at UFC on ESPN 38: ‘I’m gonna maul him on the ground’
