5 Things You Might Not Know About Edmen Shahbazyan

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Edmen Shahbazyan (9-0) is a middleweight combatant who plies his trade with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. In his next appearance, he will face off against Jack Marshman at UFC 239. That event takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on July 6.

As we approach the contest, here are five things that you might not know about Shahbazyan.

He is the youngest UFC male fighter

Shahbazyan, 21, is not only the youngest member of the UFC middleweight division, but also the promotion’s entire male roster. The only competitor signed to the promotion younger than him is Maycee Barber. The female strawweight is six months his junior.

The unbeaten Shahbazyan, who does not turn 22 until November, embarked on his professional mixed martial arts career while still in his teens. And by the time he signed with the UFC in the summer of 2018, he had already fought seven times in the professional ranks.

He favors winning by KO/TKO

Shahbazyan has emerged victorious in eight of his nine bouts (89 percent) by way of first round KO/TKO. His only opponent not to be dispatched by first stanza stoppage was Darren Stewart during his UFC debut.

Following the split decision win, Shahbazyan returned to his usual modus operandi with a TKO victory over Charles Byrd at UFC 235 in March earlier this year.

He has the same coach as Ronda Rousey

Shahbazyan is a long-time member of Glendale Fighting Club in his hometown of Los Angeles. There, he trains under controversial trainer Edmond Tarverdyan, the former coach of Ronda Rousey.

Although the female mixed martial arts pioneer is no longer involved in the sport, she maintains contact with her former team member. “I got a text from Ronda congratulating me on the fight,” Shahbazyan said following his successful UFC debut.

He has set high goals for himself

Shahbazyan was only 9 when he started going to Glendale Fighting Club with his brother. Initially, the then chubby youngster and UFC fanatic was only interested in learning how to fight, but his fascination with MMA soon became all-consuming. By his teens, he had set his sights on becoming a professional pugilist.

Today, his career aspirations revolve around getting his hands on the UFC middleweight strap. “Of course I’m 21 years old,” he said in a recent interview, “But I do want to be the youngest champion. That’s my goal.”

He has a calm demeanour

Despite his youth, Shahbazyan has garnered a reputation for being a composed competitor. This is no doubt, due in part to the fact that he has been prepared for the bright lights of the Octagon from a young age. Growing up, the fledgling fighter participated in numerous disciplines such as boxing and grappling. And the relentless competition set him in good stead for his future occupation.

When discussing her former teammate in an interview, Rousey said, “He’s physically talented as well as has a great temperament, he never loses his cool. I’ve never seen anyone as calm as him.”