Amir Albazi beat Kai-Kara France in their bout at UFC Vegas 74. Kara-France and Albazi faced each other in the main event of UFC Vegas 74. The flyweights went the full distance ad Albazi got the split decision win.
A fight between the #3 and #7 ranked flyweights, this one had huge implications for the title picture. With the champion Brandon Moreno set to defend the title against Alexandre Pantoja in July, a win would catapult either fighter into the title picture.
Official decision: Amir Albazi by split decision
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
It looks like Kara-France will have to wait a bit longer to kick off his title run after a convincing performance failed to deliver the result he was hoping for. He is now on a two-fight skid as Albazi improved to 5-0 in the UFC and 17-1 overall.
Kara-France was coming off a loss against Brandon Moreno in their interim title fight. The Kiwi looked for inspiration from teammates Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski as he looked to get back to winning ways and put together another title run.
The City Kickboxing starlet had won three out of his last five. Meanwhile, Amir Albazi was proving himself to be the dark horse of the division with a 4-0 UFC run. He was also undefeated in his last five, with a stellar 16-1 MMA record.
Fans react to Kara-France vs Albazi at UFC Vegas 74
Kai-Kara France and Amir Albazi took a measured approach in the opening rounds of their fight. Both stars picked their shots and kept their composure. After the first two rounds seemed largely uneventful, the third round took an interesting turn when Albazi almost sunk in a rear naked choke. Kara-France managed to survive the situation, reversed it, and unleashed some ground and pound right before the closing bell.
As the fight headed to the championship rounds, both flyweights were entering fresh territory for the first time in their careers. Both fighters went after it with Albazi securing a takedown early in the round. However, Kara-France survived once again. Later, he secured a takedown of his own towards the end of the round.
They gave it their all in the final round as both fighters tried to take each other out on their feet. They finished the fight swinging for each others’ heads as they went the distance. At the end of the night, the judges gave the split decision win to Amir Albazi.
The decision surprised quite a lot of fans and pros.
Nah bro…
Fuck yous!!!— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) June 4, 2023
I have KKF winning that fight. What a performance from him. 4-1. At worst 3-2. 🇳🇿
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 4, 2023
Aw man. I don’t agree with that decision at all. Kara-France won that, imho.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 4, 2023
3-2 Kara France that’s the score #UFCVegas74
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) June 4, 2023
Listen in as Bruce reads the split decision for…… #UFCVegas74 pic.twitter.com/ffPpeQz4CY
— UFC (@ufc) June 4, 2023
Tf is that decision 😂
— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) June 4, 2023
There wasn’t more damage from kai it was close relax haters
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) June 4, 2023
Kai Kara-France defeated Amir Albazi on the Verdict Scorecard.#UFCVegas74 pic.twitter.com/4QjopzNHbu
— Verdict (@VerdictMMA) June 4, 2023
I was wrong #UFCVegas74
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) June 4, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
I wanna hear what Dana gotta say about his company right now, bring ‘em out #UFCVegas74
— RaiderRaccoon2 (@RaiderRaccoon24) June 4, 2023
Clearly, the decision upset a lot of fans. Many felt Kara-France did enough to get the win.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
What did you think of the fight? Do you agree with the decision? Let us know in the comments below.