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UFC Vegas 96 takes place Saturday, so it's time to break down the top fights, plus make DFS picks and predictions for the key matchups on the card.
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Set for Vegas
Shahbazyan will fight Gerald Meerschaert in a middleweight match at UFC Vegas 96 on August 24, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Shahbazyan will look for his second win of the year after defeating AJ Dobson back in March. The American middleweight sports a 6-4 UFC record, though he's 2-3 in his last five fights which means a loss to Meerschaert could raise concerns towards his booking attractiveness in the future.
Shahbazyan will look for his second win of the year after defeating AJ Dobson back in March. The American middleweight sports a 6-4 UFC record, though he's 2-3 in his last five fights which means a loss to Meerschaert could raise concerns towards his booking attractiveness in the future.
Finds stoppage after brutal start
Shahbazyan defeated AJ Dobson via TKO (strikes) at 4:33 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Long on talent and short on consistent performance, Shahbazyan put forth another so-so effort here despite earning the win. Edmen's power is legitimate, and he's explosive in short spurts, but his striking defense is exceedingly poor. He was battered by Dobson in the early portion of this fight and frankly was fortunate to land a takedown that allowed him to get his wits about him. Edmen has physical skills and won't turn 27 years of age until late-November, so there's no reason to write him off just yet, but his 2-4 record in his past six bouts suggests there won't be a breakout forthcoming any time soon.
Long on talent and short on consistent performance, Shahbazyan put forth another so-so effort here despite earning the win. Edmen's power is legitimate, and he's explosive in short spurts, but his striking defense is exceedingly poor. He was battered by Dobson in the early portion of this fight and frankly was fortunate to land a takedown that allowed him to get his wits about him. Edmen has physical skills and won't turn 27 years of age until late-November, so there's no reason to write him off just yet, but his 2-4 record in his past six bouts suggests there won't be a breakout forthcoming any time soon.
Gets new opponent
Shahbazyan will now face AJ Dobson in a middleweight matchup at UFC Vegas 89 on March 23, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Shahbazyan was originally scheduled to face Dusko Todorovic at the event, but the latter withdrew for unspecified reasons. Meanwhile, Dobson lost his UFC 298 opponent and was in the market for a fight. Shahbazyan was apparently happy to accept and stay active, and will do so against an opponent in Dobson who is coming off his first UFC victory last August. Shahbazyan was once considered one of the brightest prospects in the sport, but reality set it when the competition level rose, as he's now 1-4 in his last five trips to the Octagon. Dobson represents a more reasonable opponent that could help him get back on track.
Shahbazyan was originally scheduled to face Dusko Todorovic at the event, but the latter withdrew for unspecified reasons. Meanwhile, Dobson lost his UFC 298 opponent and was in the market for a fight. Shahbazyan was apparently happy to accept and stay active, and will do so against an opponent in Dobson who is coming off his first UFC victory last August. Shahbazyan was once considered one of the brightest prospects in the sport, but reality set it when the competition level rose, as he's now 1-4 in his last five trips to the Octagon. Dobson represents a more reasonable opponent that could help him get back on track.
Booked for UFC Vegas 89
Shahbazyan will fight Dusko Todorovic at UFC Vegas 89 on March 23, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Shahbazyan has dropped four of his last five bouts, including a loss to Anthony Hernandez during his most recent fight in May. Todorovic has also dealt with consistency issues as of late, but dropping another fight could spell trouble for Shahbazyan's future.
Shahbazyan has dropped four of his last five bouts, including a loss to Anthony Hernandez during his most recent fight in May. Todorovic has also dealt with consistency issues as of late, but dropping another fight could spell trouble for Shahbazyan's future.
Falls to 1-4 in past five bouts
Shahbazyan lost to Anthony Hernandez via TKO (strikes) at 1:01 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Shahbazyan rebounded from a three-fight losing streak to knock out the since-released Dalcha Lungiambula last December, but went right back to his losing ways in this one. To be fair, Edmen looked really good early on, getting the better of Hernandez in a wild back-and-forth opening round, particularly on the feet. Yet, once Round 2 began, it all fell apart. Shahbazyan was unable to match the exceptional cardio of "Fluffy", ultimately being stopped early in the final frame. Edmen is in a tough spot moving forward. He still has theoretical upside considering he won't be 26 years of age until late-November, but his recent record is awful, and there's no guarantee the UFC will let him work through his issues while still with the company.
Shahbazyan rebounded from a three-fight losing streak to knock out the since-released Dalcha Lungiambula last December, but went right back to his losing ways in this one. To be fair, Edmen looked really good early on, getting the better of Hernandez in a wild back-and-forth opening round, particularly on the feet. Yet, once Round 2 began, it all fell apart. Shahbazyan was unable to match the exceptional cardio of "Fluffy", ultimately being stopped early in the final frame. Edmen is in a tough spot moving forward. He still has theoretical upside considering he won't be 26 years of age until late-November, but his recent record is awful, and there's no guarantee the UFC will let him work through his issues while still with the company.