Since leaving the UFC, bantamweight Hunter Azure has found new success, picking up the United Fight League 135lb title this past April. Now, Azure returns this Friday in Chandler, Arizona looking to defend that crown as part of a Team versus Team event with Henry Cejudo and Frank Mir serving as coaches.
In a recent interview with Cageside Press, Azure (11-3) noted that he’s been able to shore up his training, now going through a second camp designed to prepare him for a full five rounds.
“Second camp preparing for five rounds, so got to make some adjustments from last camp. It was a little easier, kind of knew what to expect this time around,” explained Azure, who faces fellow UFC ex-pat Vince Morales on August 30. “I feel camp was a lot smoother, and just the preparation with my coaches and everything, we’re all clicking right now. It’s good that it’s a week out, and I’m excited to perform next week.”
The UFL has positioned itself as a fighter-friend promotion, offering signed athletes health coverage and shares in the company.
“They’ve been amazing,” Azure said in regards to working with the company. “They’re a new promotion, so it’s cool to see how they’re trying to run things, and bring a new aspect into MMA. I’m super grateful and thankful to them for this opportunities they’re giving me. So it’s good to kind of help grow with them and see all these little steps they’re going.”
For Azure, the key is to fight for a promotion that treats him well, “and just making sure I can perform at and my best, and able to continue to get high-ranked fights and high level fights.”
Morales, meanwhile, has been on Azure’s radar since their time under the UFC banner.
“I love the match-up. I’d seen him, we were in the UFC around the same time, so I definitely watched him fight, I’d known of him, and knowing we could cross paths when I was in the UFC. Now a few years later, saw his name, love the match-up still and he’s going to be a tough dude, tough opponent for sure,” Azure stated. “A fight like that is kind of what what gets me ready. Knowing he’s a tough guy, he’s coming to come there ready to fight and be in front of me. That motivates me, and I’m just excited to put on an amazing fight for the fans with him.”
Team Phoenix, in the Team versus Team format at UFL 5, is coached by Fight Ready’s Henry Cejudo, the infamous Triple C and a former UFC double champ, while Team Las Vegas is headed up by Frank Mir. The winning team at the end of the night will gain an extra $50,000 to split between them.
“Especially in MMA, it’s always nice to see that extra money at the end. As a team, there’s three of us from Fight Ready on the team aspect,” Azure observed. “We haven’t talked too much about it, we all know our goal and that’s to win and have our performance that night. We’re just going to kind of let the team aspect take care of itself. We know if we do our jobs, we’re going to win that team race and team points and get the extra fifty thousand at the end.”
Perhaps Cejudo can give them the extra push to claim that bonus money. Speaking of, is Henry Cejudo as cringe as his persona makes him seem? Not so much, admitted Azure. “In real life, no. He’s a great dude, a great father and a good person to talk to.”
Watch our full interview with UFL 5’s Hunter Azure above.
