Halifax fighter looking to punch ticket to UFC contender series
Abdel 'The Mummy' Abdelaziz is no stranger to the cage, but he said fighting at home, is a good feeling. The fighter is competing in the main event of Fight League Atlantic 20 against Justin Vazquez out of Miami, Fla., at the Zatzman Sportsplex in Dartmouth, N.S., Saturday night.
'I'm very excited for this one,' Abdelaziz said.
Fighting in Dartmouth, N.S., means his friends and his teammates can watch him fight live without booking a plane ticket.
Abdelaziz is 7-0 in professional fights but he said this one is a big one.
'I'm thinking of this one as kind of my application, my chance to make a statement for the Contender Series,' he said. 'If that doesn't pan out, you know, I feel like I still have a lot of opportunities.'
The Contender Series is put on by UFC president Dana White. On the show, fighters are given an opportunity to compete for a UFC contract.
Abdelaziz's coach – the owner of Tower One Combat Sports in Dartmouth and UFC fighter Gavin 'Guv'nor' Tucker – said he believes his fighter is ready for the big show.
'He was my main body for a lot of years and he got really good,' said Tucker. 'He's a really intelligent fighter, you know, an absolute soldier. He's here twice a day, every day.
Abdelaziz started sparring with Tucker in 2020 when the UFC veteran was looking for a training partner because of COVID-19.
'I was interested in the UFC as a fan and stuff like that,' said Abdelaziz. 'But then I started training with Gavin because we were at the same gym at the time.'
Abdelaziz said working with Tucker led to his transition to Mixed Martial Arts and his impressive professional record.
Tucker said Abdelazis is already fighting at a UFC level.
'He's already beating guys above his weight class,' said Tucker. 'He's already tested himself in different gyms, in the big-name gyms across the country. He knows what he can do. The sport is insane and unpredictable and so obviously there's always that feeling of 'what ifs.' But he's ready. He's there.'
Abdelaziz, who was born in Egypt, is currently ranked third in Canada in the professional men's featherweight division. He lived in Kuwait before moving to Nova Scotia to study engineering. His sponsorships come from across the country, but he said he still sees Egypt as the home he's honoured to represent.
'And then Halifax, I've been here for a long time, and I really like living here,' he said. 'So it's a privilege.'
Tucker, from Ship Cove, N.L., said Abdelaziz's determination is what makes him stand out.
'I trained with great coaches and just kept the work going in a very similar manner to what Abdel's doing right now,' Tucker said.
At 38-years-old Tucker said he still loves the sport and helping Abdel achieve his dream is his top priority.
'He's got a real engineer's mind,' Tucker said 'So, I think that helps me stay motivated to coach. We have people like that around, and I'm really blessed.'
The goal for Abdelaziz, his coach and the team at Tower One is clear.
'The UFC for sure,' said Abdelaziz. 'That's the pinnacle of the sport. That's what we're working towards. If you want to become the best, that's kind of where you get to make your statement.'
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