Mounir Lazzez eyes potential in 3 pounds courses

ABU DHABI – Mounir Lazzez is on the lookout to venture out in 2021.

Lazzez (10-1 MMA, 1- UFC), who built historical past as the initially Arab-born and Arab-elevated fighter signed to the UFC, had an impressive advertising debut when he upset Abdul Razak Alhassan in July.

Lazzez is established to make his return to “Fight Island” on Wednesday, when he requires on Warlley Alves at UFC on ESPN 20. But Lazzez isn’t only looking for an remarkable demonstrating towards Alves (13-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC), the Tunisian striker hopes to remain in Abu Dhabi as a backup for any struggle that falls as a result of.

No matter what the excess weight course is.

“If I end Alves early in this struggle, I will inquire Dana to give me a fight after three times,” Lazzez told reporters, like MMA Junkie, on Friday ahead of UFC on ESPN 20. “If there is any person at lightweight, welterweight or middleweight, for genuine, I signify it. I can make light-weight now for this fight. I can struggle in welterweight. I can fight in middleweight. This is what martial arts is about. I’m not below just (to) give me four months, give me two months to struggle. I’m ready anytime, anyplace, and I mean it.”

Training out of Staff Nogueira in Dubai, Lazzez skipped out on the chance to contend on the UFC’s last “Fight Island” stint, when he was compelled to withdraw from his Oct bout towards David Zawada owing to a positive COVID-19 test. He will be dealing with a significantly a lot more octagon skilled fighter in Alves and is properly conscious of the risks that the Brazilian provides to the desk.

“He’s a very good fighter. He’s a effectively rounded fighter,” Lazzez claimed. “He arrives to battle on the ft, the ground, as properly as well. He has a excellent guillotine. He does not attempt takedowns, but he has great striking, and that is what can make it appealing.”