Edmen Shahbazyan (

Armenian Armenian may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to Armenia, a country in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia * Armenians, the national people of Armenia, or people of Armenian descent ** Armenian diaspora, Armenian communities around the ...

: Էդմեն Շահբազյան, born November 20, 1997) is an American

mixed martial artist Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact fighting sport based on striking and grappling; incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world. In the early 20th century, various inter-stylistic contests took place t ...

competing in the middleweight division of the

Ultimate Fighting Championship The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promoter (entertainment), promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by TKO Group Holdings, a majority owned subsidiary of Endeavor ( ...

(UFC).

Background

Edmen Shahbazyan fights out of

Glendale, California Glendale is a city located primarily in the Verdugo Mountains region, with a small portion in the San Fernando Valley, of Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is located about north of downtown Los Angeles. As of 2024, Glendale ha ...

. His older brother, Leon, is also a professional fighter. Edmen started training in martial arts at the age of 9 and trained at his former gym Glendale Fighting Club since the age of 12. As a teenager, he served as a training partner for

Ronda Rousey Ronda Jean Rousey ( ; born February 1, 1987) is an American professional wrestler, actress, and former judoka and mixed martial artist. She is best known for her tenures in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and WWE. She was the first Am ...

. Shahbazyan initially attended Glendale High School, but transferred to Herbert Hoover High School from where he graduated. During his time in Hoover High, he wrestled and reached the CIF State Wrestling Championship tournament. Shahbazyan is of Armenian descent and has prominently displayed his heritage and support for Armenia.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Shahbazyan made his professional debut in mixed martial arts on February 25, 2017, at CXF 6. He faced Selah Williams and won by technical knockout in the first round. Edmen continued fighting for mixed martial arts promotions in California and compiled a 6–0 record, winning all fights by first-round knockout. Shahbazyan was invited to participate on Dana White's Contender Series 13 of

Dana White's Contender Series Dana White's Contender Series, formerly named Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series, is an American mixed martial arts promotion. In May 2017, the UFC announced White would hold the competition weekly on UFC Fight Pass (It has since been mov ...

. Edmen faced Antonio Jones, winning by technical knockout only 40 seconds into the first round. His performance led to White offering him a contract to fight in the

UFC The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by TKO Group Holdings, a majority owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. The larg ...

. Edmen was formerly managed by Ronda Rousey's One Fight Management.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Shahbazyan debuted in the UFC on November 30, 2018, at The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale against Darren Stewart. He won the fight via split decision. Shahbazyan's next fight was against Charles Byrd at

UFC 235 ''UFC 235: Jones vs. Smith'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship held on March 2, 2019, at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada, part of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area. Background A UFC Light Heavyweight ...

. He won the fight by first-round knockout. Shahbazyan faced Jack Marshman on July 6, 2019, at

UFC 239 ''UFC 239: Jones vs. Santos'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that was held on July 6, 2019 at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada, part of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area. Background A UFC Light Heav ...

. He won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the first round. Shahbazyan was expected to face

Krzysztof Jotko Krzysztof Jotko (born August 19, 1989) is a Polish mixed martial artist currently competing in the Light heavyweight (MMA), Light Heavyweight division. He has previously fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Professional Fighters Leagu ...

on November 2, 2019, at UFC 244. However, Jotko withdrew from the bout and was replaced by Brad Tavares. After initially knocking Tavares down via a punch, Shahbazyan won the fight via a head kick KO in the first round. Shahbazyan was expected to face Derek Brunson on March 7, 2020, at

UFC 248 ''UFC 248: Adesanya vs. Romero'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on March 7, 2020 at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada, part of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area, United States. B ...

. However it was announced on February 20 that the bout had been rescheduled and would take place on April 11, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Harris. Due to the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...

, the event was postponed and eventually scheduled for August 1, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Shahbazyan. Shahbazyan lost the fight via technical knockout in round three. During the walkout Shahbazyan carried a flag of

Nagorno-Karabakh Nagorno-Karabakh (, ; ) is a region in Azerbaijan, covering the southeastern stretch of the Lesser Caucasus mountain range. Part of the greater region of Karabakh, it spans the area between Lower Karabakh and Syunik Province, Syunik. Its ter ...

. This was done in support after warfare and subsequent ethnic cleansing took place in the area during that time. After the bout, the Consul General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles Nasimi Aghayev sent a protest regarding the incident to the UFC. As an outcome Shahbazyan apologized to the UFC for breaking the rules and causing controversy, and also lost his Reebok sponsor money. Shahbazyan was scheduled to face Jack Hermansson on May 15, 2021, at

UFC 262 ''UFC 262: Oliveira vs. Chandler'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on May 15, 2021 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, United States. Background A UFC Lightweight Championship ...

. However, for unknown reasons the bout was postponed and took place at UFC Fight Night: Font vs. Garbrandt on May 22, 2021. He lost the bout via unanimous decision after being dominated by Hermansson's grappling in rounds 2 and 3. Shahbazyan faced Nassourdine Imavov on November 6, 2021, at UFC 268. He lost the fight via TKO due to elbows from crucifix position in round two. Shahbazyan faced Dalcha Lungiambula on December 10, 2022, at UFC 282. He won the fight via technical knockout in round two. This win earned him the '' Performance of the Night'' award. Shahbazyan faced Anthony Hernandez on May 20, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 223. He lost the fight via technical knockout in round three. Shahbazyan was scheduled to face

Duško Todorović Duško Todorović (born May 19, 1994) is a Serbian mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist who competes in the Middleweight (MMA), Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Background Todorović started training taekwond ...

on March 23, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 53. However, Todorović pulled out due to a serious knee injury and was replaced by A.J. Dobson. Shahbazyan won the fight by knockout at the end of the first round. Shahbazyan faced

Gerald Meerschaert Gerald Edward Meerschaert III (born December 18, 1987) is an American professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he holds the record for most finishes i ...

on August 24, 2024 at UFC on ESPN 62. After landing a body blow and repeated ground strikes, he lost the fight via an arm-bar submission in the second round. Shahbazyan faced Dylan Budka on February 15, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 251. He won the fight by technical knockout in the first round. This fight earned him another '' Performance of the Night'' award. Shahbazyan faced

Andre Petroski Andre Petroski (born June 12, 1991) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Background Having wrestled since he was four years old, Petroski was a three-time state qu ...

on June 14, 2025 at UFC on ESPN 69. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

** Performance of the Night (Two times)

Mixed martial arts record

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Atlanta, Georgia Atlanta ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Georgia (U.S. state), most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia. It is the county seat, seat of Fulton County, Georg ...

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References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Shahbazyan, Edmen 1997 births Living people American male mixed martial artists Middleweight mixed martial artists Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters American sportspeople of Armenian descent Armenian male mixed martial artists Sportspeople from Glendale, California Mixed martial artists from California Mixed martial artists utilizing Shotokan American male karateka 21st-century American sportsmen