Ottman Azaitar Helps Ali Abdelaziz in Hawaii Rescue
According to a video interview with TMZ Sports, UFC fighter Ottman Azaitar helped his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, after Abdelaziz got into difficulty while swimming in Hawaii. Abdelaziz described the incident as life-threatening and credited Azaitar with saving his life. The account comes from Abdelaziz; the video does not establish additional details about the location or rescue.
The Harrowing Incident
Azaitar, Abdelaziz, and a group of friends were enjoying their time in the Aloha State before heading to Salt Lake City for UFC 307. What started as a leisurely swim quickly turned into a nightmare when Abdelaziz, who is not a strong swimmer, accidentally ventured into deeper waters.
Panic set in as Abdelaziz struggled to keep his head above water. The fast-moving current near the waterfall made it increasingly difficult for him to stay afloat, and the situation rapidly became dire.
Azaitar’s Quick Thinking
Witnessing his manager’s distress, Ottman Azaitar sprang into action without hesitation. The UFC lightweight fighter’s quick thinking and bravery were on full display as he:
- Swam towards Abdelaziz
- Helped him to an area where he could stand
- Grabbed a vine from a nearby tree
- Used the vine to pull Abdelaziz safely to shore
Aftermath and Gratitude
Abdelaziz later expressed gratitude to Azaitar and credited him with saving his life in the interview with TMZ Sports. The MMA manager, who represents notable fighters such as Khabib Nurmagomedov and Kamaru Usman, expressed his profound gratitude towards Azaitar.
“Ottman’s a great kid. He has a big heart,” Abdelaziz told TMZ Sports. “He literally saved my life.”
Looking Ahead
At UFC 307, Kayla Harrison defeated Ketlen Vieira by unanimous decision. Azaitar’s most recent professional bout remains his July 2023 loss to Francisco Prado; Abdelaziz’s rescue account did not include an announcement about Azaitar’s next fight.
This dramatic rescue serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of water activities and the importance of water safety. It also highlights the character of UFC fighters like Ottman Azaitar, who prove to be heroes both inside and outside the octagon.
Citations:
[1] https://www.outkick.com/sports/ufc-ottman-azaitar-saves-manager-drowning-hawaii-video
[2] https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10137803-ufcs-ottman-azaitar-saves-manager-ali-abdelaziz-from-drowning-on-video
[3] https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/dramatic-rescue-ufcs-ottman-azaitar-saves-mma-manager-ali-abdelaziz-from-drowning-in-hawaii-video
[4] https://www.tmz.com/watch/2024-10-02-100224-tmz-sports-1907110-122/
[5] https://www.bjpenn.com/mma-news/ali-abdelaziz/ali-abdelaziz-claims-ufcs-ottman-azaitar-saved-him-from-drowning-in-hawaii-he-literally-saved-my-life/
[6] https://thespun.com/mma/video-ufc-fighter-saves-man-from-drowning-in-hawaii
[7] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8JY4oCK7hg
