John Morgan: Shahbazyan’s breakout moment missed
Undefeated middleweight [autotag]Edmen Shahbazyan[/autotag] looks every bit the part of a future UFC title contender, so much so that even reigning champion Israel Adesanya has already mentioned his name as a potential opponent down the line. At just 22 years old, “The Golden Boy” has been flawless in his UFC run, picking up four wins, including his past three victories coming via first-round stoppage.
Shahbazyan (11-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) was originally scheduled to take on perennial contender Derek Brunson earlier this month at UFC 248. Considering how the main event ended that night, with Adesanya taking home a rather lackluster decision win over Yoel Romero, had Shahbazyan impressed again, his name likely would have been immediately tossed out as a potential nightmare for “The Last Stylebender.”
A Brunson illness forced a delay of the contest until April 11, where it was going to serve as the co-main event of UFC on ESPN+ 30 in Portland, Ore. At the time, the upbeat Shahbazyan took the news in stride.
Fight got moved to April. Was excited to be on the big #UFC248 card but it’s all good. I’ll light up the show on the other card. I’m in killer shape now, I can’t imagine what kind of crazy shape I’ll be by April!! I’m ready anytime, anywhere! The young killer is coming!!!
— Edmen Shahbazyan (@edmenshahbazyan) February 20, 2020
Of course, Shabazyan had no way to know that three weeks later, a global pandemic would be responsible for the cancellation of three UFC cards, including the show in Portland. As you can imagine, he wasn’t quite as upbeat about that latest development.
Damn this definitely SUCKS! Was originally supposed to fight at UFC 248 and everything with my fight would’ve been done already but my opponent had issues that led to it being extended. I said fuck it, it is what it is, I’ll just show out in Portland. But then this happens wow! https://t.co/5JEiPpQZau
— Edmen Shahbazyan (@edmenshahbazyan) March 16, 2020
To be fair Shabazyan definitely has time on his side. Despite his youth, he already sits at No. 15 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie middleweight rankings, and he appears destined for great things in his future. But due to a series of events outside of his control, the Glendale Fight Club product was robbed of his opportunity to notch a breakout moment.
Here’s hoping he can get booked again quickly once the world gets back to normal.
[vertical-gallery id=459085]
Next page: Nolan King: Heavyweight title shot in limbo