Edmen Shahbazyan continued his undefeated run at UFC 244 with a first-round head kick knockout over Brad Tavares, improving to 11-0.
Edmen Shahbazyan is a product of Glendale Fight Club, the same gym as former champion Ronda Rousey. He began his MMA career with six first-round knockouts that earned him a shot at Dana White’s Contender Series. Shahbazyan’s streak continued, knocking out his opponent in just 40 seconds, for which he was awarded a UFC contract. Since then, he is 3-0 with wins over Darren Stewart, Charles Byrd, and Jack Marshman, securing first-round stoppages against the latter two.
Brad Tavares has been on the roster since 2010 and currently holds the 11th spot in the middleweight rankings. After suffering a knockout loss to former champion Robert Whittaker, Tavares went on a run, winning four straight fights. He then welcomed current champion Israel Adesanya to the world of five-round fights last July, but lost by unanimous decision.
Edmen Shahbazyan took the center of the Octagon early, and there were a pair of mild exchanges in the first minute. Shahbazyan caught a kick early, then landed a left hand soon after. A right cross knocked down Brad Tavares, but the former TUF competitor bounced back up. Shahbazyan kept the pressure on and continued to throw strikes at the dazed Tavares. He found an opening and shot up a head kick that knocked Tavares out. The referee came diving in as a finishing blow landed and Shahbazyan took home a first-round stoppage.
EDMEN SHAHBAZYAN IS FOR REAL!@EdmenShahbazyan stops Tavares in round 1! Wow! #UFC244 pic.twitter.com/qC8mSnM4JD
— UFC (@ufc) November 3, 2019
Edmen Shahbazyan def. Brad Tavares by KO (Head Kick) in Round 1 (2:27)
