Top-ranked UFC flyweight contender Amir Albazi has officially pulled out of UFC Vegas 108 after failing to receive medical clearance.
The 30-year-old fighter was set to headline the event this Saturday in a pivotal showdown against rising Japanese talent Tatsuro Taira. However, just days before fight night, the UFC confirmed Albazi’s withdrawal, with Hyun Sung Park stepping in as a last-minute replacement.
Albazi took to Instagram on Tuesday to share the reason behind the cancellation, expressing deep disappointment over the outcome.
“I’m heartbroken to announce that I won’t be fighting on August 2nd. I finished my whole training camp and did everything I could, but I wasn’t medically cleared in time. The UFC and the commission made the call for my safety. I respect their decision even though I wanted to step in to that cage and take care of business.
I’ll be back stronger and better. This is just a setback, not the end. Thank you to my fans, my team, and everyone who supports me through the ups and downs.”
Albazi’s withdrawal comes after a rigorous training camp, with many expecting him to bounce back following his unanimous decision loss to former two-time champion Brandon Moreno at UFC Edmonton in November. That bout snapped his six-fight winning streak and marked his first defeat in the UFC.
Currently ranked No. 4 in the UFC flyweight division, Amir Albazi has built an impressive résumé with victories over elite names such as Kai Kara-France, Alessandro Costa, and Zhalgas Zhumagulov. His professional record stands at 17-2, and despite this latest setback, the Iraqi-born contender remains optimistic about his return.
“This is just a setback, not the end,” Albazi emphasized.
With the flyweight division heating up and a title shot still within reach, Albazi’s return will be closely watched. For now, all eyes shift to UFC Vegas 108, where Taira will test his skills against Hyun Sung Park in the reshuffled main event.
