5 Defining Moments: Edmen Shahbazyan

Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight contender Edmen Shahbazyan, not a man of many words, enters the arena with quiet confidence and a grin every time he steps into the spotlight to compete. With a UFC run marked by triumphs and tribulations, he heads into his upcoming fight against A.J. Dobson at UFC on ESPN 53 with a purpose burning brighter than ever. The event signifies a pivotal moment for “The Golden Boy,” as he tries to rebound from his defeat to Anthony Hernandez in May.

Ahead of the Shahbazyan-Dobson clash this Friday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, we take a look at five of the defining moments of his career:

1. A Reign of Terror

Shahbazyan was once touted as a legitimate future title contender. He stepped into the professional fighting arena in February 2017 and orchestrated a flawless run, starting with a first-round technical knockout of Selah Williams at California Xtreme Fighting 6. Subsequently, he went on to leave a trail of five more opponents in his wake, recording all those wins by TKO in the first round. His victories over Aaron Hamilton and Daniel McWilliams highlighted his knack for dispatching adversaries with ruthless efficiency.

2. Earning His Stripes

“The Golden Boy” made his way to Dana White’s Contender Series in July 2018 as a youthful prodigy at the age of 20, parading an unblemished 6-0 record fashioned through a sequence of decisive victories. The American dispatched Antonio Jones in short order 40 seconds into the first round and secured a UFC contract.

3. Baptism by Fire

Four months after he secured a UFC contract, Shahbazyan made his promotional debut against British powerhouse Darren Stewart. The California native was compelled to summon his inner resolve as he navigated a taxing 15-minute encounter. Despite a promising outset and accruing the advantage in the first two rounds, the Octagon newcomer exhibited his grit by persevering through the final five minutes. In the end, he was awarded a split decision victory in a fight that pushed the boundaries of his abilities for the first time in his professional journey.

4. Conquering the UFC Cage

The next set of victories, perhaps the best run of Shahbazyan’s professional journey, solidified his status as a formidable figure on the UFC roster. He first unleashed a relentless assault on Charles Byrd, dispatching his opponent with a barrage of elbows and punches in a mere 38 seconds. Shahbazyan continued his onslaught with a dominant display against Jack Marshman, securing a rear-naked choke submission, once again in the first round. Not content to rest on his laurels, he scored a stunning head kick knockout victory over Brad Tavares at UFC 244, sealing the deal in just over two minutes.

Resilience Rewarded

While making the Octagon walk to fight Dalcha Lungiambula at UFC 282 Shahbazyan was acutely aware of the weight pressing down upon his shoulders; the burden of a three-fight losing streak is enough to demoralize any fighter who had once enjoyed an undefeated run. Standing across the cage against the explosive Lungiambula, he answered his opponent’s aggression with calculated precision. As the clock ticked down towards the end of the second round, the 26-year-old found the mark with a flying knee and followed up with a barrage of blows, which forced the referee to halt the contest at 4:41 of the second stanza.