With Ronda Rousey in his corner, Edmen Shahbazyan is primed to be the next big thing from her old home at the Glendale Fighting Club.
Las Vegas, NV — Edmen Shahbazyan proved Saturday that the hype was no joke. Moving to 9-0 in his career, he finished the dangerous Charles Byrd in just 38 seconds at UFC 235. The TKO win was the biggest of his career to date thus far, and the second UFC win of his young career. And yes, he used some Travis Browne-style elbows along the fence. Browne, of course, is the beau of Ronda Rousey, who manages Shahbazyan.
“Travis has trained with us before, definitely watching his fights, seeing him do that in training, seeing him do that in fights, I took it out of his work, and used it in this fight,” he said of borrowing Browne’s patented elbows post-fight.
Speaking to reporters including Cageside Press back stage, he added that Rousey had been in touch. “I got a text from Ronda congratulating me on the fight,” he revealed. Admitting that hearing from her was pretty cool. How could it not be? Rousey is a former champ, and a Hall of Fame fighter. Shahbazyan is still just 21 years old.
As for what’s next, “what ever’s put in front of me. Fight by fight, I’ll take it. I’m not going to rush anything,” he said. Although, he added, “but I do want to be the youngest champion.” Which would mean beating Jon Jones’ record. “Even though I respect Jon Jones to the fullest, he’s an amazing fighter, I want to beat that record of being the youngest champion.”
Shahbazyan is hoping to get back in action in about three months following his win, with the hope of competing four times a year. While he didn’t have any specific names, it’s clear he’s ready to make waves.
Watch the full UFC 235 post-fight press scrum with Edmen Shahbazyan above.
