Amir Albazi is one step closer to a shot at the flyweight title after winning his first UFC main event.
Although he had to sweat out the reading of the official scores after five close rounds, Albazi (17-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC) remained undefeated in the promotion by winning a very close split decision over former interim title challenger Kai Kara-France (24-11 MMA, 7-4 UFC). Dueling scores of 48-47 were turned in by the cageside judges, declaring Albazi the winner of the flyweight main event of UFC on ESPN 45 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
The fight began at a tentative pace for the opening minute before Albazi shot in to clinch against the cage. The position stalled out as the referee called for action, and they returned to the center to exchange strikes, with Albazi controlling the cage. Kara-France began moving forward and landed some nice 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 taunting and staring each other down after the horn.
