The Fighter's Faith

Edmen Shahbazyan is all set to enter the Octagon for his 11th UFC fight, facing Dylan Budka. This Armenian-American MMA fighter isn't sure if he'll win or not. But let's ask a different question. Do you know what religion Edmen Shahbazyan practices? Edmen Shahbazyan was born in Glendale, California, in 1997. He took up martial arts after seeing his older brother do it. He started karate and swimming, not because he was angry, but because he was a bit overweight. His hard work and discipline paid off, and he has a record of 13-5-0. That's 13 wins, to be precise. But that’s not the only thing he believes in. Imagine a UFC fighter not liking to drink or smoke and preferring a fried chicken sandwich instead! Shahbazyan hasn't shared his religion with the world. But he’s proudly Armenian, as seen when he waved the flag of the disputed territory of Artsakh. This showed his cultural pride.

His martial arts journey started at age 9. He trained at the Glendale Fighting Club. At age 12, he was training with the famous Edmond Tarverdyan. He also served as a training partner for Ronda Rousey. He went to high school and competed in wrestling, too! In 2017, he made his professional debut against Selah Williams, winning in the first round. His exciting fighting style helped him gain a spot in Dana White's Contender Series. He won his first UFC bout. However, things didn’t go as planned after he took on Nassourdine Imavov, Jack Hermansson, and Gerald Meerschaert. His track record speaks of someone who doesn’t give up. He’s trying to make a comeback and show the world what he’s capable of. This Saturday is crucial for him. He’s got a chance to turn things around. Can he do it? We’ll have to see what happens. Shahbazyan's life is a mix of discipline, hard work, and a strong cultural identity. But what we don’t know is his religion. Maybe he’ll reveal it one day. But for now, we’ll keep watching him fight, hoping he finds his smash in his career.

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