Shahbazyan won’t turn 22 for another three weeks, but he’s already 10-0 overall, 3-0 in the UFC and following the path that led middleweight champion Israel Adesanya to the title. Rousey went from a largely unknown American Olympian to one of the biggest stars in combat sports just like that, and her story was irresistible. I know what the [expletive] I’m looking at and you [White] know what you’re looking at. Brunson’s record is impressive and he has beaten a number of elite fighters, including former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida. Rousey, of course, fulfilled her potential, and now it’s up to Edmen Shahbazyan to follow suit. He will be 23 years, 8 months old on that date. 21-year-old Shahbazyan just beat vet Jack Marshman (23-8), catapulting himself to an undefeated 10-fight win streak with three wins straight in the UFC. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Your Privacy Controls. “We’re fighting [Tavares] around the same time in our careers, so this is a great opportunity for me to show where I am,” Shahbazyan said. “My goal is to be the best in the world, to set records, and so you have to fight guys like this when you want to do those kinds of things.”. LAS VEGAS — There is a video on YouTube of a 13-year-old Edmen Shahbazyan — a skinny, gangly kid with his ribs protruding — taking on a 25-year-old man in a Muay Thai boxing fight as a crowd of people around the ring watched. Being in the gym and seeing Rousey prepare for her championship fights not only gave him a front-row seat for history, it allowed him to understand the mind of a champion and the dedication it takes to make it to the top. Get all the sports news you need, direct to your inbox. Ronda Rousey, a former UFC Women’s Bantamweight champion, recently recalled the time when Edmen Shahbazyan used to be her “Throwing Dummy” in training. Shahbazyan is set to headline the, August 1, 2020, UFC Fight Night event Main Event. (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC). This kid is special. I saw what it was like, and I saw what it took, and I loved all of it. Share. It’s a cool moment for him, he says, but he won’t get caught hero worshipping his opponent. Information about your device and internet connection, including your IP address, Browsing and search activity while using Verizon Media websites and apps. But if you think Shahbazyan is going to tense up, you don’t know him very well. To enable Verizon Media and our partners to process your personal data select 'I agree', or select 'Manage settings' for more information and to manage your choices. When he was 15, he was Rousey’s training partner at the UFC Gym in Torrance, California, when she was preparing for her UFC debut against Liz Carmouche. He’s been in the spotlight for years. “I’ve been fighting for a long time and I feel like this is an appropriate fight for me at this stage of my career,” he said. He then began to do each of the other martial arts which are part of MMA before he began to combine it all and concentrate on MMA at 12. Reblog. It’s interesting to finally be in this time where everyone is starting to take notice.”. Shahbazyan, though, has long prepared for fighting better and better opponents each time out. And when he landed on his back, she’d hit the deck and capture him in the arm bar that made her famous. Kevin Iole. Ronda Rousey has known Edmen Shahbazyan since he was a teenager and she believes he is a special talent. Tarverdyan knew by Shahbazyan’s calm demeanor that he had a special talent on his hands. ]”, Steelers’ Tuitt: I won't kneel during anthem, NBA player pushes bizarre virus conspiracy theory, Packers' draft pick drove QB Rodgers to drink tequila, Haynes: Fans have never seen, or heard, this side of LeBron, Edmen Shahbazyan celebrates his KO victory over Brad Tavares in their middleweight bout during UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 2, 2019 in New York City. 13. Why are so many ex-athletes risking their legacies by endorsing Donald Trump this late in the election? “He’s a higher ranked opponent and he’s coming off a long layoff and he’s going to be determined to get back to winning. Yahoo Sports. How Masvidal went from backyard brawler to MMA cult hero, Things we’re not talking about enough before UFC 244, Wetzel: Why everyone believed Diaz in PED mess, Edmen Shahbazyan celebrates his win against Charles Byrd in their middleweight bout during the UFC 235 event at T-Mobile Arena on March 2, 2019 in Las Vegas. “It’s not if, it’s when. Combat columnist. “I think it’s important I stay composed and relaxed and focus on what we have worked on,” Shahbazyan said. “He’s a lot like Ronda in that he’s never satisfied with just good enough. Media began to flock to the Glendale Fight Club in a suburb of Los Angeles not too far from Dodger Stadium in the early part of this decade to check out the beginning days of the supernova known as Ronda Rousey. A huge crowd showed up and Rousey used her judo to throw Shahbazyan all over the mat. UFC 244: Edmen Shahbazyan following Ronda Rousey's example Home But, since then, “Rowdy” knew he would be something special. Rousey told White that Shahbazyan has that extra edge that is often the difference between good contenders and world champions. He first showed up at GFC just before he turned 10 to take karate classes in a bid to lose weight. Is it time to change the College Football Playoff format? He is confident in victory, but didn’t dismiss Shahbazyan out of hand. When Rousey was the UFC champion, one of her training partners was then 15-year-old, Edmen Shahbazyan who trained at the gym. Kevin Iole. Rousey’s throws were so quick, and her technique so on point, that it was easy to feel sorry for her foil as she dribbled him off the mat and made him tap again and again and again. Shahbazyan, though, is used to the pressure. Media descended upon Glendale in droves and would most days see Rousey tossing a teenaged boy about, slamming him repeatedly to the canvas below a mural of the great Muhammad Ali. “He loves being in the gym and he loves doing the work and getting better every day, every day, every day,” Tarverdyan said. Get the latest odds, analysis, and insights at Yahoo Sportsbook. He feels like he’s watching a repeat of the same story as Shahbazyan moves forward in his career. “It speaks to the inevitability of his championship reign,” Rousey told White. Tweet. Share . Former UFC champion Ronda Rousey, Shahbazyan’s manager, said in an interview with UFC president Dana White last week on White’s Instagram, that she has no doubt Shahbazyan will soon be a champion, though she noted the coronavirus pandemic may hurt his chances of beating Jones’ record. 30 July 2020. Tweet. | Yahoo Sports College Podcast, Detroit Lions WR Kenny Golladay's hip injury: Here's what we know, Deontay Wilder's heinous accusations point to larger issue with former champion, ranked No. It’s not lost on Shahbazyan that Adesanya’s career zoomed to the stratosphere after a victory over Tavares, who is ranked No. Yahoo Sports. 'It’s not if, it’s when': Ronda Rousey believes an Edmen Shahbazyan championship reign is near. Tavares was on “The Ultimate Fighter” when Shahbazyan was 10 and Shahbazyan recalls watching him compete. Reblog. He wants to be the best and he puts in the kind of work it takes to be the best. “I like the kid.”. Edmen Shahbazyan knows he is lucky to have Ronda Rousey as his manager. If he gets the win, one thing is certain: You’re going to hear a lot more about this 21-year-old and not just because he has a famous manager. “He’s an experienced fighter and I have to stay calm and not rush. Edmond Tarverdyan, the coach of the budding UFC star, had to sign off on that fight to give Shahbazyan permission to compete. “He’s such a sweet and quiet kid, but man, he’s a [expletive] killer,” she said. But he loved what he was doing, he listened to instruction so well and he just had this sense of how to fight.”. But he remained poised and did what he was required to do during the workout. Find out more about how we use your information in our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. You may not know the name Edmen Shahbazyan yet, but there are at least nine opponents who won’t forget it. 11 at middleweight to Shahbazyan’s No. July 30, 2020. Shahbazyan is wise beyond his years and understands that to really make it big — Rousey big, for instance — that it requires a lot more than just physical talent. She walked into his gym in Glendale, California, one day while down on her luck after winning a bronze medal in the 2008 Olympics. A win would put him in position for a major fight, so the bout comes with a certain level of pressure. Shahbazyan’s goal remains becoming the youngest UFC champion in history, which means he’ll have to do it by July 19, 2021, to accomplish it. 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Shahbazyan is ranked ninth, one spot behind Brunson, in the UFC’s middleweight rankings.