Tag: Edmen Shahbazyan

Edmen Shahbazyan before UFC 282: Changes made, ready to ‘put on a performance of my life’

Edmen Shahbazyan has sat out more than a year, relocated and even changed management looking to get back on track at UFC 282.

[autotag]Edmen Shahbazyan[/autotag] says he’s made the necessary changes to try and get back into the win column.

The once undefeated and highly touted prospect has changed management and camps after enduring a three-fight losing skid. Shahbazyan (11-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) is now based out of Las Vegas and has taken a year off to round out his skills.

He returns against Dalcha Lungiambula (11-5 MMA, 2-4 UFC) on Saturday at UFC 282 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2 and early prelims on ESPN+.

“A lot of things changed,” Shahbazyan told MMA Junkie. “Just switched my management, switched my camp and my residency. Out here is amazing. I took a little over a year off just to improve and get better and work on any flaw that I had and just improve as a fighter. I’m happy to be where I’m at, so Saturday it’s gonna show.”

He continued, “With the coaching staff that I have now and training partners, all the high-level guys I have now, I feel like I’m getting so much better and have gotten so much better since my last fight.”

Shahbazyan’s past three losses came to ranked opposition in Derek Brunson, Jack Hermansson and Nassourdine Imavov, who predominantly tried to take him down. With 10 first-round finishes to his name, Shahbazyan is known for his fast starts, but when facing a fellow explosive fighter in Lungiambula, the 25-year-old will take a different approach.

“I know Dalcha is a powerful and explosive dude,” Shahbazyan said. “Whoever I face, I try to come in the best and prepare myself the best I can. And Dalcha, I’m ready for him. I’ve trained hard, worked hard and committed a lot, and I’ve sacrificed a lot. So I’m ready to put on a performance of my life and Saturday night, it’s gonna be good.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 282.

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Edmen Shahbazyan returns against Dalcha Lungiambula at UFC 282

Edmen Shahbazyan will look to get back into the win column at UFC 282.

[autotag]Edmen Shahbazyan[/autotag] will look to get back into the win column this winter.

Shahbazyan (11-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) meets [autotag]Dalcha Lungiambula[/autotag] (11-5 MMA, 2-4 UFC) on Dec. 10 at UFC 282, which doesn’t yet have a confirmed venue or location.

A person with knowledge of the matchup confirmed the booking to MMA Junkie but asked to remain anonymous, because the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. Eurosport NL was first to report the news.

After an unbeaten 11-0 start to his professional MMA career, including a knockout of Brad Tavares, Shahbazyan has dropped three straight. The 24-year-old lost to ranked contenders Derek Brunson, Jack Hermansson and most recently Nassourdine Imavov last November at UFC 268.

Lungiambula also has struggled of late. The Congo native is 1-3 since debuting at middleweight, with three losses in a row to Marc-Andre Barriault, Cody Brundage, and Punahele Soriano.

With the addition, the UFC 282 lineup now includes:

  • Robbie Lawler vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio
  • Dalcha Lungiambula vs. Edmen Shahbazyan

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UFC 268 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Venum era total passes $5 million

Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 268 took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $325,500.

NEW YORK – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 268 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $325,500.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC 268 took place at the Madison Square Garden. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and ESPN+.

The full UFC 268 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag]: $42,000
def. [autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag]: $32,000

[autotag]Rose Namajunas[/autotag]: $42,000
def. [autotag]Zhang Weili[/autotag]: $32,000

[autotag]Marlon Vera[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Frankie Edgar[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Shane Burgos[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Billy Quarantillo[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Andreas Michailidis[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Bobby Green[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Al Iaquinta[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Chris Curtis[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Phil Hawes[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Nassourdine Imavov[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Edmen Shahbazyan[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Ian Garry[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Jordan Williams[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Chris Barnett[/autotag]: $4,000
[autotag]Gian Villante[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Dustin Jacoby[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]John Allan[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Melsik Baghdasaryan[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Bruno Souza[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Ode Osbourne[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]CJ Vergara[/autotag]: $4,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2021 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $5,112,500
Program-to-date total: $5,112,500

UFC 268 video: Nassourdine Imavov TKOs Edmen Shahbazyan into third straight loss

Edmen Shahbazyan’s struggles continued on Saturday’s in the form of a stoppage loss to Nassourdine Imavov at UFC 268.

[autotag]Edmen Shahbazyan[/autotag]’s struggles continued on Saturday in the form of a stoppage loss to [autotag]Nassourdine Imavov[/autotag] at UFC 268.

Shahbazyan (11-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) has now lost three consecutive fights after the undefeated start to his career. This one again came with issues on the ground, as Imavov (11-3 MMA, 3-1 UFC) planted him on his back and landed punches and elbows from the crucifix position to secure the TKO at the 4:42 mark of Round 3.

Check out the replay of the finish below (via Twitter):

Imavov gets his second second-round stoppage in a row as he picks up his third UFC victory in four fights with the promotion.

After the win, an ecstatic Imavov said he’s looking for a step up in competition.

“I’m sorry to my opponent that I had to do that, but this is the business,” Imavov told Joe Rogan during their post-fight interview. “I want to prove that I can be one of the best.”

Up-to-the-minute UFC 268 results include:

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Twitter Mailbag: If Kamaru Usman beats Colby Covington again, then what?

MMA Junkie’s Nolan King answers your questions about UFC 268.

Questions on your mind about recent happenings in the UFC or sport of MMA in general? MMA Junkie’s Twitter Mailbag is here – and this week, @mma_kings answers:

  • If [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] beats Colby Covington at UFC 268, what’s next?
  • Is over 3.5 rounds a good bet for Usman vs. Covington 2?
  • What’s [autotag]Frankie Edgar[/autotag]’s future after UFC 268?
  • Thoughts on [autotag]Edmen Shahbazyan[/autotag]?

Watch the video above for answers to those questions.

To ask a question of your own, follow @MMAjunkie on Twitter and let us know.

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Edmen Shahbazyan enters UFC 268 relaxed coming off 2-fight skid: ‘Mentally I’m in a great place’

Now that he can’t (officially) become the youngest UFC champ ever, Edmen Shahbazyan’s mindset has shifted.

When [autotag]Edmen Shahbazyan[/autotag] signed with the UFC in 2018, he made clear that his primary goal was to become the youngest champion in promotion history. Three years later, that’s no longer attainable, and so his mindset has shifted.

“I didn’t reach that goal, but I have other goals now,” Shahbazyan, who turns 24 later this month, said Wednesday at UFC 268 media day in New York. “I’m just gonna take it fight by fight, improve, get better, and I’ll get there eventually.”

If by “get there eventually” he means winning a UFC title, Shahbazyan would like for the first step to come Saturday at Madison Square Garden where he faces fellow prospect Nassourdine Imavov. The matchup is a big step down in competition following back-to-back losses – including his first UFC headliner – against middleweight contenders Derek Brunson last year and Jack Hermansson this past May.

Had Shahbazyan, a former Ronda Rousey training partner, won those fights after winning his first four in the UFC, he might’ve been in line for a title shot sooner than now and gotten his chance to break Jon Jones’ record for youngest UFC champ.

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Since things didn’t work out as planned, Shahbazyan has heard from critics putting him down for having such a lofty goal. None of that bothers him, though.

“It is what it is,” Shahbazyan said. “My last two fights, I fought two top guys. And it’s not like I went in there from the beginning and got dominated. I was doing well until the mid-rounds. I don’t really care what people criticize me for. It is what it is. … I’m still young. I’m still 23. I’m getting better.”

He added, “Mentally I’m in a great place. The last two fights, of course, didn’t go my way. I fought top dogs my last two fights, and I use it all as a learning experience. … I’ve worked harder from it, and I’m coming back now.”

All Shahbazyan (11-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) cares about heading into UFC 268 is turning things around, and he believes Imavov (10-3 MMA, 2-1 UFC) is the right opponent for that.

“Definitely it’s a fight I can look great in,” Shahbazyan said. “Stylistically, if you look at it, he’s pretty much a standup fighter, too. It mixes in well with me. I think it matches up very well for me.”

Watch the full media day interview with Shahbazyan in the video above.

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Nassourdine Imavov vs. Edmen Shahbazyan targeted for UFC 268

A battle between middleweight prospects Edmen Shahbazyan and Nassourdine Imavov is the latest addition to UFC 268.

A battle between middleweight prospects is the latest addition to UFC 268.

[autotag]Nassourdine Imavov[/autotag] (10-3 MMA, 2-1 UFC) will take on [autotag]Edmen Shahbazyan[/autotag] (11-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) on Nov. 6, in an event which is expected to take place at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Two people with knowledge of the matchup confirmed the targeted booking to MMA Junkie on Monday but asked to remain anonymous since the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. La Sueur was first to report the news, and MMA Junkie subsequnelty confirmed that verbal agreements are in place and about agreements are expected to be finalized shortly.

Dagestan-born Imavov is coming off the biggest win of his career, a second-round finish of Dana White’s Contender Series graduate Ian Heinisch at UFC on ESPN 27 in July. The MMA Factory Paris fighter has won seven of his past eight, with five of those victories coming by way of stoppage.

Meanwhile, Shahbazyan will look to snap his first career losing skid. After starting out his UFC tenure at 4-0, including a knockout of perennial contender Brad Tavares, the formerly unbeaten 23-year-old has dropped back-to-back losses to Derek Brunson and, most recently, Jack Hermansson in May.

With the addition, the UFC 268 lineup includes:

  • Champ Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington – for welterweight title
  • Michael Chandler vs. Justin Gaethje
  • Luke Rockhold vs. Sean Strickland
  • Nassourdine Imavov vs. Edmen Shahbazyan

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Edmen Shahbazyan reacts to UFC Fight Night 188 loss: ‘I know I’m capable of better’

After 11 straight wins, Edmen Shahbazyan has now lost in back-to-back fights.

For the second time in as many fights, UFC middleweight [autotag]Edmen Shahbazyan[/autotag] found himself the losing half of a contender fight.

When he took on Jack Hermansson at UFC Fight Night 188 on Saturday, Shahbazyan (11-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) lost a unanimous decision. Though he found some success on the feet, the decision was ultimately decided when Hermansson (22-6 MMA, 9-4 UFC) turned in a big Round 3 from top position on the ground.

On Sunday, Shahbazyan released a statement on Instagram, which voiced determination and persistence. Shahbazyan vowed to go back to the lab and work on the areas he needs to improve.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CPOKcDPH0wO/

“Thank you all for your love and support!!” Shahbazyan wrote. “I know I’m capable of better. In this fight game, small mistakes or decisions can change the whole fight. I’m gonna work harder and be back the best version of me. Never quit, I will always put my heart and soul out there all the way.”

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Shahbazyan, 23, entered UFC Fight Night 188 off his first professional loss, which he was handed by Derek Brunson in his first promotional main event. Prior to that defeat, Shahbazyan won his first four UFC outings, with three finishes.

UFC Fight Night 188 took place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The entire card streamed on ESPN+.

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UFC Fight Night 188 results: Jack Hermansson finishes strong, beats Edmen Shahbazyan

Jack Hermansson put an exclamation point on his UFC Fight Night 188 win with a third round worthy of 10-8 scores.

[autotag]Jack Hermansson[/autotag] is back in the win column.

The UFC middleweight contender defeated [autotag]Edmen Shahbazyan[/autotag] in the opening bout of the UFC Fight Night 188 main card Saturday in Las Vegas. Hermansson (22-6 MMA, 9-4 UFC) outpointed Shahbazyan (11-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) with 29-27 marks on all three judges’ scorecards to win a unanimous decision.

It was a gritty fight that forced Hermansson to dig deep and make a comeback. In the first round, Shahbazyan picked apart Hermansson in the standup. It was a striking clinic as Shahbazyan mixed his strikes to the legs, body and head of Hermansson.

The second had a much more different tone. Hermansson took down Shahbazyan just seconds into the round and began to land ground-and-pound, cutting Shahbazyan above the eyebrow. Shahbazyan was able to get back on his feet, but he was pinned against the cage and taken down again. From there, Hermansson controlled the majority of the action but was reversed with a minute left in the round.

The final round looked very similar to the second. Hermansson got a takedown early, but this time he maintained top control for the entire round while also landing heavy elbows and strikes on Shahbazyan. It was by far the most dominant round of the fight worthy of 10-8 scores.

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With that exclamation mark in the third, Hermansson did enough to get the nod from the judges. The 32-year-old was coming off a decision loss to Marvin Vettori last December. He called out former champion Robert Whittaker in his post-fight interview.

“I got only ranked above me in the top five, and that’s Robert Whittaker. If he doesn’t want to sit around and wait for the title, I’m up for the challenge. If not, give me the winner of Till vs. Brunson or the winner of Cannonier vs. Costa.”

Shahbazyan, 23, who fights out of Glendale Fighting Club where Ronda Rousey trained, is now on a two-fight skid after starting his career 11-0. He was stopped by Derek Brunson in his previous outing.

Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 188 results include:

  • Jack Hermansson def. Edmen Shahbazyan via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
  • Ben Rothwell def. Chris Barnett via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 2:07
  • Court McGee def. Claudio Silva via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 29-27)
  • Bruno Silva def. Victor Rodriguez via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 1:00
  • Josh Culibao def. Shayilan Nuerdanbieke via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • David Dvorak def. Juancamilo Ronderos via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:18
  • Damir Ismagulov def. Rafael Alves via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

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Twitter Mailbag: Does Cody Garbrandt or Rob Font have more to gain at UFC Fight Night 188?

Who has more to gain in the UFC Fight Night 188 headliner? What’s next for some of the event’s key winners?

Questions on your mind about recent happenings in the UFC or sport of MMA in general? MMA Junkie’s Twitter Mailbag is here – and this week, @mma_kings answers:

  • Who has more to gain at UFC Fight Night 188, [autotag]Rob Font[/autotag] or [autotag]Cody Garbrandt[/autotag]?
  • What’s next for the [autotag]Jack Hermansson[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Edmen Shahbazyan[/autotag] winner?
  • What’s next for [autotag]Yan Xiaonan[/autotag] if she beats [autotag]Carla Esparza[/autotag]?
  • What are the odds [autotag]Chris Barnett[/autotag] beats [autotag]Ben Rothwell[/autotag]?
  • How good is [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag]?

Watch the video above for answers to those questions.

To ask a question of your own, follow @MMAjunkie on Twitter and let us know.

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