Edmen Shahbazyan
Edmen Shahbazyan
Born/Date of Birth: November 20, 1997
Place of Birth: Glendale, California, United States
Other names: The Golden Boy
Nationality: American
Height: 6 feet 2 inch (1.88 m)
Weight: 185 lb (84 kg; 13.2 st)
Division: Middleweight
Reach: 74 in (188 cm)
Fighting out of: Glendale, California, United States
Team: Glendale Fighting Club
Trainer: Edmond Tarverdyan
Rank: Black belt in Shotokan Karate
Edmen Shahbazyan (born November 20, 1997) is an American mixed martial artist of Armenian descent, competing in the middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of November 18, 2019, he is #9 in the UFC middleweight rankings.
Background
Edmen Shahbazyan fights out of Glendale, California. His older brother, Leon, is also a professional fighter. Edmen started training in martial arts at the age of 9 and has been training at his current gym Glendale Fighting Club since the age of 12. As a teenager, he served as a training partner for Ronda Rousey.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
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.
Shahbazyan was invited to participate in Episode 5 of the Second Season of Dana White's Tuesday Night 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.
Edmen is managed by Ronda Rousey's One Fight Management.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
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.
Shahbazyan's next fight was against Charles Byrdd at UFC 235. He won the fight by first round knockout.
Shahbazyan faced Jack Marshman on July 6, 2019 at UFC 239. He won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the first round.
Shahbazyan was expected to face Krzysztof Jotko on November 2, 2019 at UFC 244. However, Jotko withdrew from the bout and was replaced by Brad Tavares. He won the fight via a head kick KO in the first round.
Shahbazyan was expected to face Derek Brunson on March 7, 2020 at UFC 248; However it was announced on February 20 that the bout has been rescheduled and will take place on April 11, 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Harris. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was eventually postponed . The bout eventually was scheduled on August 1, 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Shahbazyan. He lost the fight via technical knockout in round three.
