Las Vegas – Edmen Shahbazyan is content with his victory on Saturday, but he is even more gratified by the journey.
Middleweight fighter knocked out AJ Dobson on the main card of UFC on ESPN 53 and has rebounded from his TKO defeat at UFC Apex in May 2023. Shahbazyan (13-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) put on a strong performance, overcoming challenges in a tough fight against Dobson (7-2). 3 MMA, 1-3 UFC) before securing a KO victory.
Showing resilience in the face of adversity was a crucial factor for Shahbazyan.
“I believe it was a solid performance,” Shahbazyan stated in the post-fight press conference for UFC on ESPN 53. “Persisting through challenges is a motto I’ve always adhered to: ‘No matter what obstacles arise, I’ll step into the ring, push through any barriers, and emerge victorious.’ It finally paid off.”
“My mindset in there is always to either win or go down fighting. I’m happy I took the time since my last bout to enhance my skills. Post-fight, I felt like, ‘Wow, I can keep pushing.’ That’s the feeling it evokes.”
A few years back, Shahbazyan was unbeaten and hailed as one of the most promising talents in the sport. However, in 2020, he suffered a defeat at the hands of veteran Derek Brunson, experiencing a rough patch with 2 wins and 4 losses.
Shahbazyan is striving for a more enlightened approach to his career, believing that each of his triumphs and setbacks has contributed to his growth as a fighter.
“When I was younger, I was able to shrug off the hype, weather the storm, and just keep scoring goals,” Shahbazyan mentioned. “I was on that trajectory. But now, I’ve matured, learning from both victories and defeats. They all serve as learning opportunities, much like the recent fight. That right hand I got hit with, I’ll review my mistakes, address them, and improve. I think it’s the experience and maturity gained from all those bouts.”
For more details on the event, check out MMA Junkie’s event hub. UFC on ESPN 53.
