Tag: Edmen Shahbazyan

UFC 262 loses Jack Hermansson vs. Edmen Shahbazyan; bout pushed back one week

Saturday’s pay-per-view main card has lost another bout.

[autotag]Jack Hermansson[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Edmen Shahbazyan[/autotag] is still on the schedule but won’t take place at UFC 262.

The middleweight fight, originally on the books for Saturday’s pay-per-view main card in Houston, will now take place one week later, at UFC Fight Night 188 on May 22. The event is scheduled to take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Shahbazyan (11-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) confirmed the postponement Monday on Twitter after an initial report from MMA DNA. No reason for the change was given (via Twitter):

UFC president Dana White later told TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter that the delay was caused by a positive COVID-19 case in Hermansson’s camp (via Twitter):

Hermansson (21-6 MMA, 8-4 UFC) has won five of his most recent seven bouts but has lost two of his most recent three. He last competed at UFC on ESPN 19 in December, when he lost a unanimous decision to Marvin Vettori in the card’s headliner.

Shahbazyan is also coming off a loss – the first of his professional career. He was finished with strikes by Derek Brunson in the UFC Fight Night 173 main event in August. All but one of Shahbazyan’s professional victories have come by finish.

With the addition, the UFC Fight Night 188 lineup now includes:

  • Rob Font vs. Cody Garbrandt
  • Carla Esparza vs. Yan Xiaonan
  • Justin Tafa vs. Jared Vanderaa
  • Norma Dumont vs. Felicia Spencer
  • David Dvorak vs. Raulian Paiva
  • Bill Algeo vs. Ricardo Ramos
  • Court McGee vs. Claudio Silva
  • Victor Rodriguez vs. Bruno Silva
  • Josh Culibao vs. Yilan Sha
  • Damir Hadzovic vs. Yancy Medeiros
  • Rafael Alves vs. Damir Ismagulov
  • Sarah Alpar vs. Stephanie Egger
  • Jack Hermansson vs. Edmen Shahbazyan

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Jack Hermansson vs. Edmen Shahbazyan added to UFC 262 lineup

A middleweight bout between Jack Hermansson and Edmen Shahbazyan is the latest addition to May’s UFC 262 lineup.

A middleweight bout between [autotag]Jack Hermansson[/autotag] and [autotag]Edmen Shahbazyan[/autotag] is the latest addition to May’s UFC 262 lineup.

MMA Junkie verified Hermansson (21-6 MMA, 8-4 UFC) and Shahbazyan (11-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) have agreed to the matchup with a person close to the booking following an initial report from the Los Angeles Times. The person requested anonymity because the UFC has yet to announce the bout.

UFC 262 takes place May 15 at Toyota Center in Houston. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass.

Hermansson, No. 9 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie middleweight rankings, is coming off a main event loss to Marvin Vettori at UFC on ESPN 19 in December.

Shahbazyan, an honorable mention in the rankings, will attempt to rebound from his first career defeat against Derek Brunson at UFC Fight Night 173 in August.

The latest UFC 262 card includes:

  • Michael Chandler vs. Charles Oliveira
  • Beneil Dariush vs. Tony Ferguson
  • Jamie Pickett vs. Jordan Wright
  • Priscila Cachoeira vs. Gina Mazany
  • Viviane Araujo vs. Katlyn Chookagian
  • Alex Perez vs. Matt Schnell
  • Andrea Lee vs. Antonina Shevchenko
  • Edson Barboza vs. Shane Burgos
  • Jack Hermansson vs. Edmen Shahbazyan

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UFC free fight: Derek Brunson derails Edmen Shahbazyan’s hype train in Vegas

Ahead of his headliner against Kevin Holland at UFC on ESPN 21, relive Derek Brunson’s finish of Edmen Shahbazyan at UFC Fight Night 173.

Continuously underestimated, [autotag]Derek Brunson[/autotag] played the role of spoiler when he took on a highly-touted prospect.

Brunson faced the formerly unbeaten [autotag]Edmen Shahbazyan[/autotag] in the UFC Fight Night 173 main event in August, which took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Looking to claim his third straight win, Brunson showed off his more patient self, as he adopted a tactical approach in Round 1. After some good exchanges on the feet by both men, Brunson was able to briefly take Shahbazyan down, but Shahbazyan worked his way back up and started to fire big shots Brunson’s way. Brunson went back to the clinch and, even though he was unsuccessful in his takedown attempt, the pressure started to wear on Shahbazyan, who had only gone past Round 1 once in his professional MMA career.

In Round 2, Brunson continued to mix up his approach, with his switch from striking to wrestling eventually paying dividends. He landed a takedown on a visibly tired Shahbazyan at the end of the round and proceeded to unleash heavy ground and pound that cut Shahbazyan open right at the sound of the horn.

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Shahbazyan barely made it back to his corner and, just 26 seconds into the third round, Brunson was able to drag Shahbazyan down and put him away.

Brunson (21-7 MMA, 12-5 UFC) returns to action this week when he faces [autotag]Kevin Holland[/autotag] (21-5 MMA, 8-2 UFC) in the main event of UFC on ESPN 21, which takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Before he faces Holland, relive Brunson’s finish over Shahbazyan in the video above.

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Spinning Back Clique: Does UFC or Bellator have the biggest main event this weekend?

Check out this week’s edition of “Spinning Back Clique,” which previews a dual event weekend and asks what’s next for Alexander Volkanovski.

Welcome to “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts. This week, Simon Head hosts and is joined by MMA Junkie lead staff reporter John Morgan, as well as MMA Junkie Radio’s “Gorgeous” George and “Goze.”

SHOW TOPICS

  • Despite a huge experience advantage, [autotag]Derek Brunson[/autotag] was a big betting underdog at this past weekend’s UFC on ESPN+ 31 event. Still, the middleweight scored a big stoppage win over a previously undefeated [autotag]Edmen Shahbazyan[/autotag]. So for those that got it wrong, were we too quick to write off Brunson, or was Shabazyan’s hype not justified?
  • Dana White’s Contender Series is back on Tuesday, but it comes at a time when the entire sport is returning to live action. So with a crowded MMA landscape competing for fans’ attention, how well is the prospects-driven show doing entering its fourth season?
  • UFC featherweight champion [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] doesn’t seem too keen on a potential trilogy fight with former titleholder [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag], which is understandable since “Blessed” is winless in the two fights. However, UFC president Dana White isn’t ruling out the possibility. What’s the right move here?
  • After a lengthy hiatus, Bellator is now back in full swing, and this Friday the promotion is offering a tantalizing rematch between superstars [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] and [autotag]Benson Henderson[/autotag]. Meanwhile the UFC counters Saturday night with a heavyweight clash between slugger [autotag]Derrick Lewis[/autotag] and submission master [autotag]Aleksei Oleinik[/autotag]. Which is the bigger fight?

For answers to all of those questions, watch Episode 40 of “Spinning Back Clique” above.

Dana White: Don’t give up on Edmen Shahbazyan after one loss

According to Dana White, Edmen Shahbazyan encountered one major problem in particular at UFC on ESPN+ 31.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Edmen Shahbazyan[/autotag] came up short at UFC on ESPN+ 31.

On Saturday, in his first UFC main event, Shahbazyan (11-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) was defeated by Derek Brunson via third-round TKO. Shahbazyan was a heavy favorite entering the middleweight bout – a -366 on average across all major sports books (per Best Fight Odds).

Despite suffering the first loss of his career, Shahbazyan still showed signs of promise, according to his boss, UFC president Dana White.

After all, the Glendale Fighting Club standout is still just 22 years old, and was facing a solid step up in competition in the veteran Brunson.

At the UFC on ESPN+ 31 post-fight news conference, White reaffirmed his faith in Shahbazyan’s future. He pointed to Shahbazyan’s cardio as his biggest issue, as this marked just the second time he went past the first round in his pro career.

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White also praised the efforts of the bout’s victor, Brunson (21-6 MMA, 12-4 UFC), in making veteran adjustments and earning the victory after a back-and-forth opening round.

So don’t write off Shahbazyan’s prospects, White concluded.

“Yeah, I think the kid is good,” White told reporters, including MMA Junkie. “I’m not taking anything away from Brunson, but he looked gassed out in the second round. But you’ve got to credit Brunson for that, too. I think that Brunson mixed up his striking and his wrestling tonight like he used to. He also came in in great shape. He definitely came in better shape than Shahbazyan.”

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Shahbazyan, 22, won his first four UFC bouts entering Saturday. Prior to UFC on ESPN+ 31, Shahbazyan had not lost in his professional career, which dates back to February 2017.

UFC on ESPN+ 31 took place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The event streamed on ESPN+.

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Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Edmen Shahbazyan after UFC on ESPN+ 31 loss?

See who Edmen Shahbazyan should fight next after his loss to Derek Brunson in the main event of UFC on ESPN+ 31.

(ALSO SEE: Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Derek Brunson after UFC on ESPN+ 31 win?)

The hype around [autotag]Edmen Shahbazyan[/autotag] took a hard hit on Saturday when one of the sport’s most highly touted prospects took his first loss in the UFC on ESPN+ 31 main event.

Shahbazyan (11-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) was unable to overcome the veteran savvy of Derek Brunson (21-7 MMA, 12-5 UFC) in the middleweight headliner and ultimately succumbed to a third-round TKO in the bout, which took place at UFC Apex in Las Vegas and streamed on ESPN+.

Although Shahbazyan showed some promising moments throughout the fight, he could not find a way to top Brunson. The 22-year-old’s ambition of becoming youngest UFC champ in history is now in serious jeopardy, but is there a way to salvage the situation?

Perhaps a matchup with former top contender [autotag]Kelvin Gastelum[/autotag] (15-6 MMA, 10-6 UFC), who looks vulnerable after three consecutive losses? Or is that not the right move?

Watch the video above for thoughts and analysis on Shahbazyan’s future coming out of UFC on ESPN+ 31.

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UFC on ESPN+ 31 post-event facts: Vicente Luque’s finishing ability stands out

All the notable stats to come out of UFC on ESPN+ 31, which took place in Las Vegas, and saw Derek Brunson beat Edmen Shahbazyan.

The UFC hosted another event on Saturday with UFC on ESPN+ 31, which took place at UFC Apex in Las Vegas and streamed on ESPN+.

[autotag]Derek Brunson[/autotag] (21-7 MMA, 12-5 UFC) pulled off an upset a 3-1 underdog in the main event when he derailed the hype around [autotag]Edmen Shahbazyan[/autotag] (11-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) with a third-round TKO win in the middleweight headliner.

Brunson’s victory concluded a rather unusual eight-fight card that featured a stunning amount of fight scratches in the days and hours leading up. For more on the numbers, check below for 25 post-event facts to come out of UFC on ESPN+ 31.

* * * *

General

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The UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payout for the event totaled $103,500.

Debuting fighters went 1-1-2 at the event.

[autotag]Jennifer Maia[/autotag], [autotag]Vicente Luque[/autotag], [autotag]Bobby Green[/autotag] and [autotag]Lando Vannata[/autotag] earned $50,000 UFC on ESPN+ 31 fight-night bonuses.

UFC on ESPN+ 31 drew an announced attendance of zero for a live gate of $0.

Betting favorites went 4-3 on the card. On fight ended in a raw.

Betting favorites fell to 14-7 in UFC headliners this year.

Total fight time for the eight-bout card was 1:35:48.

Main card

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Brunson’s 12 victories since 2012 in UFC middleweight competition are the most in the division.

Brunson’s eight stoppage victories in UFC middleweight competition are tied for fourth most in divisional history behind Anderson Silva (11), Nate Marquardt (nine) and Chris Leben (nine).

Brunson’s seven knockout victories in UFC middleweight competition are tied for third most in divisional history behind Silva (eight) and Thiago Santos (eight).

Shahbazyan had his 11-fight winning streak snapped for the first defeat of his career.

Maia (18-6-1 MMA, 3-2 UFC) earned her first submission victory since May 10, 2014 – a span of 2,275 days (more than six years) and 13 fights.

[autotag]Joanne Calderwood[/autotag] (14-5 MMA, 6-5 UFC) fell to 4-2 in UFC women’s flyweight competition. She’s 4-2 in her career at 125 pounds.

Calderwood has suffered all three of her career stoppage losses by first-round submission.

Calderwood became the ninth fighter in history to suffer multiple armbar submission losses in UFC competition.

Luque (19-7-1 MMA, 12-3 UFC) has earned 17 of his 19 career victories by stoppage. That includes 11 of his 12 UFC wins.

Luque’s 11 stoppage victories since 2015 in UFC welterweight competition are most in the division during that span.

Luque’s 11 stoppage victories in UFC welterweight competition are third most in divisional history behind Matt Brown (13) and Matt Hughes (12).

Luque’s eight knockout victories in UFC welterweight competition are tied with Thiago Alves for second most in divisional history behind Brown (11).

Vannata (11-5-2 MMA, 3-5-2 UFC) fell to 2-4-2 in his past eight UFC appearances dating back to March 2017.

Preliminary card

[autotag]Frankie Saenz[/autotag] (12-7 MMA, 5-5 UFC) fell to 2-5 in his past seven fights dating back to December 2015.

Saenz has suffered all four of his UFC stoppage losses by knockout.

[autotag]Johnny Munhoz[/autotag] (10-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) had his 10-fight winning streak snapped for the first defeat of his career.

[autotag]Chris Gutierrez[/autotag] (15-4-2 MMA, 3-1-1 UFC) vs. Cody Durden (11-2-1 MMA, 0-0-1 UFC) marked the first unanimous draw in UFC history without point deductions.

UFC research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. Follow him on Twitter @MJCflipdascript.

UFC on ESPN+ 31 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Program total passes $34.5 million

UFC on ESPN+ 31 fighters took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay, a program that launched after the UFC’s deal with Reebok.

LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 31 event took home event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $103,500.

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 on ESPN+ 31 took place at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The entire card streamed ESPN+.

The full UFC on ESPN+ 31 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Derek Brunson[/autotag]: $20,000
def. [autotag]Edmen Shahbazyan[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Jennifer Maia[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Joanne Calderwood[/autotag]: $10,000

[autotag]Vicente Luque[/autotag]: $10,000
def. [autotag]Randy Brown[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Bobby Green[/autotag]: $15,000
def. [autotag]Lando Vannata[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Jonathan Martinez[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Frankie Saenz[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Nate Maness[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Johnny Munhoz[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Jamall Emmers[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Vincent Cachero[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Chris Gutierrez[/autotag]: $4,000
vs. [autotag]Cody Durden[/autotag]: $3,500

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Reebok’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 $3,500 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,000; 6-10 bouts get $5,000; 11-15 bouts earn $10,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $15,000; and 21 bouts and more get $20,000. Additionally, champions earn $40,000 while title challengers get $30,000.

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 2020 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $3,601,000
2019 total: $7,370,500
2018 total: $6,901,000
2017 total: $6,295,000
2016 total: $7,138,000
2015 total: $3,185,000
Program-to-date total: $34,605,500

Who’s next for Edmen Shahbazyan after Derek Brunson loss? | UFC on ESPN+ 31 matchmaker

MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn plays matchmaker and looks ahead to what makes sense for Edmen Shahbazyan in this edition of “Sean Shelby’s Shoes.”

MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn plays matchmaker and looks ahead to what makes sense for Edmen Shahbazyan in this edition of “Sean Shelby’s Shoes.”

Who’s next for Derek Brunson after beating Edmen Shahbazyan? | UFC on ESPN+ 31 matchmaker

MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn plays matchmaker and looks ahead to what makes sense for Derek Brunson in this edition of “Sean Shelby’s Shoes.”

MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn plays matchmaker and looks ahead to what makes sense for Derek Brunson in this edition of “Sean Shelby’s Shoes.”