The rising talent in professional mixed martial arts (MMA) was born in Baghdad but grew up in Sweden, after his family fled Iraq to escape Saddam Hussein’s authoritarian regime.
Albazi arrived in the Nordic country as a boy who could not speak a word of Swedish - and he experienced severe culture shock in his new surroundings.
“In school, I couldn’t understand what people were saying, but I could tell they were making fun of me,” he told the BBC. “The only way I could express myself was with my fists.”
The 29-year-old said his world was transformed when, by chance, he found MMA on TV. It was love at first sight.
As a professional, Albazi is known by his ring name, “The Prince” - a translation of his Arabic first name.
He now has almost 15 years of experience in the sport and wants to become the first Iraqi and Arab champion in the UFC’s history.
“I feel a great responsibility on my shoulders being the only Iraqi in the UFC. I feel as if I am representing my country and the whole Arab world,” he said.
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