Edmen Shahbazyan
The Golden Boy
USA
Runs winning streak to three
Shahbazyan defeated Andre Muniz via TKO (strikes) at 4:58 of Round 1 at UFC 320 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Shahbazyan has both durability and cardio issues, but he's about as dangerous of a one-round guy as you will find in the middleweight division. Toss in an opponent in Muniz who is arguably the most fragile fighter around at 185 pounds, and you have the recipe for an early finish. Edmen cracked his opponent with a sweeping left hook late in the frame before getting on top and unloading with unanswered elbows which forced referee Mark Smith to step in. The UFC has matched Shahbazyan up softly, but he's won three straight dating back to this past February.
Shahbazyan has both durability and cardio issues, but he's about as dangerous of a one-round guy as you will find in the middleweight division. Toss in an opponent in Muniz who is arguably the most fragile fighter around at 185 pounds, and you have the recipe for an early finish. Edmen cracked his opponent with a sweeping left hook late in the frame before getting on top and unloading with unanswered elbows which forced referee Mark Smith to step in. The UFC has matched Shahbazyan up softly, but he's won three straight dating back to this past February.
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Scheduled against Muniz
Shahbazyan is scheduled to compete against Andre Muniz at UFC 320 on October 4, per Mike Heck of MMAFighting.com.
ANALYSIS
Shahbazyan is set to return to the Octagon for the third time this year. The 27-year-old fighter is riding a two-fight win streak and aims to make it three.
Shahbazyan is set to return to the Octagon for the third time this year. The 27-year-old fighter is riding a two-fight win streak and aims to make it three.
Takes decision in Atlanta
Shahbazyan defeated Andre Petroski via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Atlanta.
ANALYSIS
It's impossible to guess what you are going to get from Shahbazyan on a fight-to-fight basis, but he appeared to make multiple positive gains in this one. He landed the much bigger strikes, as expected, highlighted by a Round 3 liver shot which dropped Petroski. He allowed two takedowns, but got right back to his feet immediately both times. Most importantly, he displayed improved cardio. Part of that was the result of Petroski not pushing the pace, but Edmen didn't tire himself with reckless movements. Shahbazyan has zero history of defeating better competition, and that seems like to continue moving forward, but he's quietly won three of four dating back to March 2024.
It's impossible to guess what you are going to get from Shahbazyan on a fight-to-fight basis, but he appeared to make multiple positive gains in this one. He landed the much bigger strikes, as expected, highlighted by a Round 3 liver shot which dropped Petroski. He allowed two takedowns, but got right back to his feet immediately both times. Most importantly, he displayed improved cardio. Part of that was the result of Petroski not pushing the pace, but Edmen didn't tire himself with reckless movements. Shahbazyan has zero history of defeating better competition, and that seems like to continue moving forward, but he's quietly won three of four dating back to March 2024.
Petroski up next
Shahbazyan is scheduled to compete against Andre Petroski in a middleweight fight at UFC Atlanta on June 14, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Shahbazyan began his 2025 by redeeming himself from a crushing submission loss to Gerald Meerschaert with a first-round TKO win over Dylan Budka. Shahbazyan's next opponent, Petroski, is on a three-fight win streak.
Shahbazyan began his 2025 by redeeming himself from a crushing submission loss to Gerald Meerschaert with a first-round TKO win over Dylan Budka. Shahbazyan's next opponent, Petroski, is on a three-fight win streak.
Earns much-needed win
Shahbazyan defeated Dylan Budka via TKO (punches) at 1:35 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Shahbazyan is among the least consistent competitors in the sport, but he has legitimate talent and he's going to blow past fringe-roster fighters such as Budka all day long. His power is a real difference-maker, and Budka has durability issues. All it took was one huge right hand to drop the latter and close the show. It would also go on to earn him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. The strong effort here aside, Edmen is just 3-5 in his past eight bouts dating back to August 2020. There's just zero consistency, and it's hard to believe it's going to suddenly materialize at age 27.
Shahbazyan is among the least consistent competitors in the sport, but he has legitimate talent and he's going to blow past fringe-roster fighters such as Budka all day long. His power is a real difference-maker, and Budka has durability issues. All it took was one huge right hand to drop the latter and close the show. It would also go on to earn him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. The strong effort here aside, Edmen is just 3-5 in his past eight bouts dating back to August 2020. There's just zero consistency, and it's hard to believe it's going to suddenly materialize at age 27.
Fighting Budka in February
Shahbazyan will fight Dylan Budka at UFC Vegas 102 on Feb. 15, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Shahbazyan dropped his last fight against Gerald Meerschaert in August, giving him a 2-5 record since 2020. Despite his poor momentum, the 27-year-old Shahbazyan will have a chance to turn things around against a less-experienced Budka, who is still searching for his first win in the UFC.
Shahbazyan dropped his last fight against Gerald Meerschaert in August, giving him a 2-5 record since 2020. Despite his poor momentum, the 27-year-old Shahbazyan will have a chance to turn things around against a less-experienced Budka, who is still searching for his first win in the UFC.