NEW YORK – Edmen Shahbazyan won’t allow himself to become a stereotype as his star rises under the UFC banner.
Shahbazyan (10-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC), the undefeated 21-year-old who meets Brad Tavares (17-5 MMA, 12-5 UFC) in a middleweight bout on Saturday at UFC 244, has all the potential to become something special in the sport. He’s shown flashes of brilliance over three octagon appearances, and he wants to keep that trend going.
As more success comes Shahbazyan’s way, though, more outside temptations will be thrown his way. Countless athletes have fallen into that trap over the years, but Shahbazyan said he’s doing everything in his power to avoid those pitfalls.
“It’s not tough (to stay focused),” Shahbazyan told MMA Junkie. “I have a lot of confidence and motivation to stay in the gym. I’m always in the gym. I’m never out of the gym. It’s just the same routine all the time for me.”
Shahbazyan was originally scheduled to fight Krzysztof Jotko at UFC 244, which takes place at Madison Square Garden, but that fight fell apart. Tavares filled in as a replacement, and Shahbazyan was thrilled with the quality of opponent the UFC brass got for him.
“We got the call for Tavares and were like, ‘Hell yeah,’” Shahbazyan said. “It’s a good step-up fight for me. I know he’s experienced and is a tough, durable veteran, but that being said I’m in the new breed of MMA and I’m here to show it on Saturday.
“All around well on the feet and on the ground, so I’m expecting a good fight for him. I’m expecting him to be a tough, durable veteran fighter. Whatever happens I’ll put on a show for sure.”
If Shahbazyan wins at UFC 244, he would be the first fighter in company history to go 4-0 inside the octagon before turning 22. It’s a strong way to start his career, and just one of what he hopes will be many accomplishments in his career.
“The goal is just to keep staying active,” Shahbazyan said. “Every three to four months I want to get a fight and just keep climbing and climbing until I get that title.”
21-year-old Edmen Shahbazyan won't succumb to pressures as spotlight grows ahead of UFC 244