December 23, 2023 12:30 pm ET
LAS VEGAS – Ode Osbourne feels fortunate to have a UFC flyweight fight on the books, because getting a contract signed often proves to be a challenge.
Osbourne (12-6 MMA, 4-4 UFC) will look to rebound from a submission loss to Asu Almabaev at UFC on ESPN 50 in August when he takes on Jafel Filho (15-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) at UFC Fight Night on March 16 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
The seven-month break between fights isn’t ideal for Osbourne, but he understands it’s a product of the 125-pound weight class having among the least signed fighters of any UFC division, and it hasn’t been the first time he’s dealt with this type of wait.
“The ’25 division is the most difficult division to find fights, because there’s no that many of us,” Osbourne told MMA Junkie on the red carpet of the 15th Annual World MMA Awards. “We’ve had plenty of fight offers that fell through. I was hoping to fight in December, that didn’t happen. But it’s the fight game. What are you going to do, right?”
With an assignment finally booked, Osbourne, 31, will attempt to put his experience to use against Filho, 30. “The Jamaican Sensation” has never lost back-to-back fights, and Osbourne intends to continue that pattern.
“I love these opportunities because it feels like a lot of people have slept on me and my jiu-jitsu,” Osbourne said. “It’s a great opportunity. I just signed my third contract (with UFC) before my last fight, so I’ve got three fights left. I’m trying to go out and not only perform, but shut down the next three opponents. Mainly because I believe I’m the best fighter in the division. This is going to be a really, really great fight. A great camp. And I always come to perform.”
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