Edmen Shahbazyan (born November 20, 1997) is an American mixed martial artist competing in the middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Edmen Shahbazyan
Shahbazyan interviewed at UFC 244 in 2019
Born (1997-11-20) November 20, 1997 (age 26)
Glendale, California, U.S.
Other namesThe Golden Boy
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight185 lb (84 kg; 13.2 st)
DivisionMiddleweight
Reach74 in (188 cm)[1]
Fighting out ofGlendale, California, U.S.
TeamGlendale Fighting Club (until 2022)[2][3]
Xtreme Couture (2022–present)[3]
Black Kobra Striking Systems (2022–present)[4]
TrainerEdmond Tarverdyan (until 2022)[2][3]
RankBlack belt in Shotokan Karate[1]
Years active2017–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total17
Wins13
By knockout11
By submission1
By decision1
Losses4
By knockout3
By decision1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background edit

Edmen Shahbazyan fights out of Glendale, California. His older brother, Leon, is also a professional fighter.[5] Edmen started training in martial arts at the age of 9 and trained at his former gym Glendale Fighting Club since the age of 12.[3][6] As a teenager, he served as a training partner for Ronda Rousey.[7] Shahbazyan initially attended Glendale High School, but transferred to Herbert Hoover High School from where he graduated.[6] During his time in Hoover High, he wrestled and reached the CIF State Wrestling Championship tournament.[6] Shahbazyan is of Armenian descent and has prominently displayed his heritage and support for Armenia.[8][9][10]

Mixed martial arts career edit

Early career edit

Shahbazyan made his professional debut in mixed martial arts on February 25, 2017, at CXF 6. He faced Selah Williams and won by technical knockout in the first round. Edmen continued fighting for mixed martial arts promotions in California and compiled a 6–0 record, winning all fights by first-round knockout.[11]

Shahbazyan was invited to participate on Dana White's Contender Series 13 of Dana White's Contender Series. Edmen faced Antonio Jones, winning by technical knockout only 40 seconds into the first round. His performance led to White offering him a contract to fight in the UFC.[12]

Edmen was formerly managed by Ronda Rousey's One Fight Management.[13][3]

Ultimate Fighting Championship edit

Shahbazyan debuted in the UFC on November 30, 2018, at The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale against Darren Stewart. He won the fight via split decision.[14]

Shahbazyan's next fight was against Charles Byrd at UFC 235.[7] He won the fight by first-round knockout.[15]

Shahbazyan faced Jack Marshman on July 6, 2019, at UFC 239.[16] He won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the first round.[17]

Shahbazyan was expected to face Krzysztof Jotko on November 2, 2019, at UFC 244.[18] However, Jotko withdrew from the bout and was replaced by Brad Tavares.[19] After initially knocking Tavares down via a punch, Shahbazyan won the fight via a head kick KO in the first round.[20]

Shahbazyan was expected to face Derek Brunson on March 7, 2020, at UFC 248.[21] However it was announced on February 20 that the bout had been rescheduled and would take place on April 11, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Harris.[22] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was postponed[23] and eventually scheduled for August 1, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Shahbazyan.[24] Shahbazyan lost the fight via technical knockout in round three.[25]

During the walkout Shahbazyan carried a flag of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, an internationally unrecognized regime. This was done in support after minor clashes took place in the area during that time. After the bout, the Consul General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles Nasimi Aghayev sent a protest regarding the incident to the UFC. As an outcome Shahbazyan apologized to the UFC for breaking the rules and causing controversy, and also lost his Reebok sponsor money.[26]

Shahbazyan was scheduled to face Jack Hermansson on May 15, 2021, at UFC 262.[27] However, for unknown reasons the bout was postponed and took place at UFC Fight Night: Font vs. Garbrandt on May 22, 2021.[28] He lost the bout via unanimous decision after being dominated by Hermansson's grappling in rounds 2 and 3.[29]

Shahbazyan faced Nassourdine Imavov on November 6, 2021, at UFC 268.[30] He lost the fight via TKO due to elbows from crucifix position in round two.[31]

Shahbazyan faced Dalcha Lungiambula on December 10, 2022, at UFC 282.[32] He won the fight via technical knockout in round two.[33] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[34]

Shahbazyan faced Anthony Hernandez on May 20, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 223.[35] He lost the fight via technical knockout in round three.[36]

Shahbazyan was scheduled to face Duško Todorović on March 23, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 53.[37] However, Todorović pulled out due to a serious knee injury and was replaced by A.J. Dobson.[38][39] Shahbazyan won the fight by knockout at the end of the first round.[40]

Championships and accomplishments edit

Mixed martial arts edit

Mixed martial arts record edit

Professional record breakdown
17 matches 13 wins 4 losses
By knockout 11 3
By submission 1 0
By decision 1 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 13–4 A.J. Dobson KO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Ribas vs. Namajunas March 23, 2024 1 4:33 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 12–4 Anthony Hernandez TKO (elbows and punches) UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Hill May 20, 2023 3 1:01 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 12–3 Dalcha Lungiambula TKO (punches) UFC 282 December 10, 2022 2 4:41 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night.
Loss 11–3 Nassourdine Imavov TKO (elbows) UFC 268 November 6, 2021 2 4:42 New York City, New York, United States
Loss 11–2 Jack Hermansson Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Font vs. Garbrandt May 22, 2021 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 11–1 Derek Brunson TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Shahbazyan August 1, 2020 3 0:26 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 11–0 Brad Tavares KO (head kick) UFC 244 November 2, 2019 1 2:27 New York City, New York, United States
Win 10–0 Jack Marshman Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 239 July 6, 2019 1 1:12 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 9–0 Charles Byrd TKO (elbows and punches) UFC 235 March 2, 2019 1 0:38 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 8–0 Darren Stewart Decision (split) The Ultimate Fighter: Heavy Hitters Finale November 30, 2018 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 7–0 Antonio Jones TKO (punches) Dana White's Contender Series 13 July 17, 2018 1 0:40 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 6–0 Daniel McWilliams TKO (punches) CXF 12 April 21, 2018 1 0:30 Burbank, California, United States
Win 5–0 Aaron Hamilton TKO (punches) CXF 11 February 17, 2018 1 1:08 Los Angeles, California, United States
Win 4–0 Anthony Thomas TKO (punches) Gladiator Challenge: Fight Club October 7, 2017 1 0:14 El Cajon, California, United States
Win 3–0 Dejon Daniels TKO (punches) CXF 8 June 17, 2017 1 2:58 Burbank, California, United States
Win 2–0 Dearmie Street TKO (punches) CXF 7 April 29, 2017 1 3:16 Los Angeles, California, United States
Win 1–0 Selah Williams TKO (head kick and punches) CXF 6 February 25, 2017 1 0:43 Los Angeles, California, United States Middleweight debut.

[41]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Edmen Shahbazyan | UFC". UFC.com. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Sherdog.com. "5 Things You Might Not Know About Edmen Shahbazyan". Sherdog. Retrieved 2019-07-09.
  3. ^ a b c d e Damon Martin (May 26, 2022). "Edmen Shahbazyan says there's 'no ill will' toward Ronda Rousey or Edmond Tarverdyan but 'a change was needed'". mmafighting.com.
  4. ^ Cageside Press (May 18, 2023). Edmen Shahbazyan Talks Setbacks, UFC PI, Hernandez Matchup | UFC Vegas 73 – via YouTube.
  5. ^ Bitter, Shawn (2019-04-10). "EXCLUSIVE: Leon Shahbazyan vs. Brok Weaver Set for Contender Series on June 18". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-07-13.
  6. ^ a b c Katherine Nalchajyan (November 15, 2020). "Hoover's "Golden Boy"". thetornadotimes.net.
  7. ^ a b Martin, Brian (March 1, 2019). "UFC 235: Edmen Shahbazyan continues living his dream". The Orange Country Register. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  8. ^ Khatchaturian, Andre (2020-08-05). "Edmen Shahbazyan Makes Patriotic Statement in First Career Defeat". The Armenian Weekly. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
  9. ^ Harkness, Ryan (2020-08-11). "Edmen Shahbazyan punished for displaying 'illegal regime flag' at UFC Vegas 5". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
  10. ^ Pacleb, Zac (2022-12-09). "Edmen Shahbazyan Knows What He's Capable Of Accomplishing". ufc.com. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
  11. ^ Gordon, Grant (April 22, 2018). "First-round wins by Glendale's Shahbazyan, Grigoryan highlight 'Burbank Beatdown'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  12. ^ Gordon, Grant (July 17, 2018). "Shahbazyan shines in 40-second win for UFC contract". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  13. ^ Kyte, E. Spencer (February 25, 2019). "ON THE RISE: UFC 235". UFC. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  14. ^ Erickson, Matt; Morgan, John (December 2, 2018). "UFC 235: Edmen Shahbazyan says takedowns were the name of the game at TUF 28 Finale". MMAJunkie. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  15. ^ Hiergesell, Dan (March 2, 2019). "Knockout! Watch Rousey prospect Edmen Shahbazyan spark Charles Byrd in 38 seconds at UFC 235". MMA mania. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  16. ^ Mogan, Tony (April 10, 2019). "Jack Marshman to fight Edmen Shahbazyan on Jones vs Santos undercard at UFC 239". London Evening Standard. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  17. ^ Fortune, Ryan (2019-07-06). "UFC 239 Results: Edmen Shahbayzan Makes Quick Work of Jack Marshman". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-07-07.
  18. ^ Farah Hannoun (2019-08-23). "Unbeaten Edmen Shahbazyan draws Krzysztof Jotko at UFC 244 in New York". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2019-08-23.
  19. ^ Mike Bohn (October 2, 2019). "Brad Tavares moved to UFC 244 for matchup with unbeaten Edmen Shahbazyan". mmajunkie.com.
  20. ^ Doherty, Dan (2019-11-02). "UFC 244 Results: Edmen Shahbazyan Knocks Out Brad Tavares With First Round Head Kick". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-11-03.
  21. ^ Critchfield, Tristen (2020-01-22). "Middleweights Derek Brunson, Edmen Shahbazyan to clash at UFC 248 in Las Vegas". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2020-01-22.
  22. ^ Marcel Dorff. "Derek Brunson vs. Edmen Shahbazyan moved from UFC 248 to UFC Portland". mmadna. Retrieved 2020-02-20.(in Dutch)
  23. ^ Nolan King and John Morgan (2020-03-15). "UFC postpones three events amid growing coronavirus outbreak". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
  24. ^ "Derek Brunson vs. Edmen Shahbazyan booked for UFC Fight Night event on August 1". MMA Junkie. 2020-06-08. Retrieved 2020-06-12.
  25. ^ Doherty, Dan (2020-08-01). "UFC Vegas 5 Results: Derek Brunson Shuts Down Edmen Shahbazyan". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-08-02.
  26. ^ Ryan Harkness (August 11, 2020). "Edmen Shahbazyan punished for displaying 'illegal regime flag' at UFC Vegas 5". mmamania.com.
  27. ^ Behunin, Alex (2021-03-19). "Jack Hermansson vs. Edmen Shahbazyan Set For UFC 262". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
  28. ^ Cole Shelton (2021-05-10). "Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Jack Hermansson off UFC 262, rescheduled for UFC Vegas 27". bjpenn.com. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
  29. ^ Anderson, Jay (2021-05-22). "UFC Vegas 27 Results: Jack Hermansson Finishes Strong Against Edmen Shahbazyan". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-05-23.
  30. ^ "Nassourdine Imavov vs. Edmen Shahbazyan pour l'UFC 268 !". La Sueur (in French). 2021-08-08. Retrieved 2021-08-09.
  31. ^ Evanoff, Josh (2021-11-06). "UFC 268 Results: Nassourdine Imavov Demolishes Edmen Shahbazyan". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-11-07.
  32. ^ Jay Anderson (2022-08-24). "Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Dalcha Lungiambula Lined Up for UFC 282". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-08-24.
  33. ^ Dewar, Val (2022-12-10). "UFC 282: Edmen Shahbazyan Snaps Skid After Year Away, Stops Dalcha Lungiambula". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-12-11.
  34. ^ a b Hiergesell, Dan (2022-12-11). "Bonuses! All Fighters With Finishes Collect $50K". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2022-12-11.
  35. ^ "Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Anthony Hernandez booked for UFC event on May 20". MMA Junkie. 2023-02-22. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  36. ^ Heck, Mike (2023-05-20). "UFC Vegas 73 video: Anthony Hernandez mauls Edmen Shahbazyan for third-round TKO". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-05-22.
  37. ^ "UFC Vegas 89 adds three new fights to lineup, but loses fan-favorite". MMA Junkie. 2024-01-31. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
  38. ^ Nikola Novaković (2024-02-14). "A big pity: Another serious injury to Todorovic and the match was cancelled". sportklub.n1info.rs. Retrieved 2024-02-17. (in Serbian)
  39. ^ David Andrew (2024-02-14). "Edmen Shahbazyan vs. A.J. Dobson slated for UFC on ESPN 53 on March 23". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2024-02-17.
  40. ^ Dewar, Val (2024-03-24). "UFC Vegas 89: Edmen Shahbazyan Bounces Back, Finishes AJ Dobson". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  41. ^ Sherdog.com. "Edmen Shahbazyan". Sherdog. Retrieved 2019-05-25.

External links edit