Mehdi Baghdad isn’t afraid of challenges, as he was set for the biggest test of his career at UFC Fight Night 81 “Dillashaw Vs. Cruz” on the 17th of January.

Not only did Baghdad (11-4) have to face the very talented Chris Wade (11-1), but he did so on roughly one week notice replacing injured Mairbek Taisumov.

The lightweight bout aired on FOX Sports 1 following additional prelims on UFC Fight Pass and ahead of a main card on FOX Sports 1/ Abu Dhabi Sports 6. Wade managed to take Baghdad to the ground, ending up in full guard, and unloading some heavy strikes. As Baghdad tried to escape, Wade transitions to the back and sinks in a rear-naked choke at the 4:30 mark of Round 1.

Baghdad spoke to ArabsMMA following the fight and said it was a certain decision to accept the UFC fight even though he had to cut down 12kg in 6 days.

For the French-Algerian, the opportunity to represent the Arab community on the big stage is one that he could not have missed.

Mehdi Baghdad:

I received the call on Sunday for the UFC Fight Night 81 fight scheduled for the following week. I barely had 6 days to drop 12kg, knowing that I was also away from training for 5 months due to injury. I accepted the UFC fight without a second thought, but the intense weight cut and short notice comes at a cost. I was dehydrated and gased out during the fight, and this had put Wade in a far better position.

He has the heart, and he is always hungry for a fight! Expect to see Mehdi “The Sultan” Baghdad back in the octagon looking sharper than ever before.