On November 2, 2019, at UFC 244 in Madison Square Garden, Edmen Shahbazyan made a statement to the middleweight division. The undefeated 21-year-old knocked out veteran Brad Tavares with a head kick in just over two minutes, cementing his status as one of the most exciting prospects in the UFC.
Shahbazyan came into the fight as a heavy favorite, but Tavares was no easy opponent. The Hawaiian had been in the UFC since 2011 and had a reputation as a tough out. However, Shahbazyan was simply too much for him.
The young prospect started the fight off strong, landing a number of hard punches and kicks. Tavares tried to answer back, but he was clearly outmatched. In the second minute of the fight, Shahbazyan landed a 1-2 combination that dropped Tavares. He followed up with a left head kick that put Tavares out cold.
The finish was a stunning one, and it sent shockwaves through the middleweight division. Shahbazyan had just knocked out a ranked opponent in impressive fashion, and he was now one of the most talked-about fighters in the UFC.
In the aftermath of the fight, Shahbazyan was humble and gracious. He praised Tavares for his toughness and said that he was excited to continue his career in the UFC. “I’m just getting started,” he said. “I’m going to keep working hard and I’m going to keep getting better.”
Shahbazyan has since gone on to win two more fights in the UFC, and he is now ranked as the No. 10 middleweight in the world. He is still just 23 years old, and he has the potential to be a dominant force in the division for years to come.
The fight between Shahbazyan and Tavares was a coming-out party for the young prospect. It showed the world that he is a special talent, and it made him a must-watch fighter in the middleweight division.