Edmen Shahbazyan Makes ‘No Excuses’ Following First Career Defeat

Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream the UFC live on your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the ESPN app.

Advertisement

Edmen Shahbazyan’s hype train came crashing back to reality at UFC Fight Night 173.

The previously unbeaten middleweight prospect wilted under the wrestling and pressure of Derek Brunson, losing via technical knockout 26 seconds into the third round of their headlining clash at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

The 22-year-old Glendale Fighting Club representative had a solid opening stanza, but things went downhill once he went past the first round for only the second time in his professional career. After opening his UFC career with four straight triumphs — including three first-round finishes, Shahbazyan is taking the setback in stride.

“I’m OK everyone just need some stitches,” Shahbazyan wrote on social media. “Thank you for all your messages, love you all! Congrats to [Derek Brunson] tonight he did a great job. No excuses, it’s the fight game and I’ll be back! Blessed to have the support I have from everyone!”

Brunson, who earned his third consecutive victory at Shahbazyan’s expense, responded with words of support.

“Thanks for the fight young man,” Brunson wrote on Twitter. “You’ll be back! Blessings.”

An alum of Dana White’s Contender Series, Shahbazyan is 11-1 during his professional tenure and owns wins over Darren Stewart, Charles Byrd, Jack Marshman and Brad Tavares.

View this post on Instagram

I’m ok everyone just need some stitches. Thank you for all your messages, love you all! Congrats to @derekbrunson tonight he did a great job. No excuses, it’s the fight game and I’ll be back! Blessed to have the support I have from everyone!

A post shared by Edmen Shahbazyan (@edmenshahbazyan) on Aug 1, 2020 at 10:02pm PDT