Abdul Azim Badakhshi Bows Out of Road to UFC 2 Amid Visa Troubles

15 May 2023

Abdul Azim Badakhshi, a prominent MMA fighter from Afghanistan, has been forced to withdraw from the upcoming Road to UFC 2 event due to visa issues. The fighter announced the news on Twitter, expressing his disappointment at not being able to showcase his skills in the tournament.

Badakhshi was set to compete in the Featherweight bracket of Road to UFC 2, where he was scheduled to face off against Yi Zha of China in Shanghai, China. However, due to the delay in visa approval, the Afghan Lion had to pull out from the tournament.

“My fight scheduled for the 2nd season of Road to UFC at the end of this month had to be cancelled due to not being able to get my visa approved on time. Only a matter of time before I can prove why I’ve been South Asia’s number one ranked fighter 4 years now. @ufc, see you soon,” he wrote on Twitter.

Badakhshi holds a professional MMA record of 13-3 and is currently on a three-fight winning streak. He has competed across different promotions, including the Super Fight League, ACB, and BRAVE Combat Federation, and has only one loss in the Super Fight League.

Nicknamed 'The Afghan Lion,' Badakhshi is known for his striking abilities, with 10 of his 13 wins coming via TKO or KO. He also has two submission wins to his name, and only one of his wins came via decision.

Badakhshi's withdrawal from the Road to UFC 2 event comes as a blow to his fans and the MMA community in South Asia. However, the fighter has expressed confidence that he will soon be able to prove why he has been South Asia's number one ranked fighter for the past four years.

ALSO READ | The rise of the Afghan Lion Abdul Azim Badakhshi: Daniel Isaac details

It remains to be seen if Badakhshi will get another opportunity to compete in the UFC or if he will have to wait for the next Road to UFC event. Fans and fellow fighters have taken to social media to show their support for the Afghan fighter, hoping to see him back in action soon.

My fight scheduled for the 2nd season of Road to UFC at the end of this month had to be cancelled due to not being able to get my visa approved on time. Only a matter of time before I can prove why I’ve been South Asia’s number one ranked fighter 4 years now. @ufc, see you soon. pic.twitter.com/4pZFVFxKHk

— Abdul Azim Badakhshi (@theafghanlion) May 14, 2023