Derek Brunson vs. Edmen Shahbazyan Added To UFC 248
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| Photo Credit: Steven Ryan - Getty Images Edmen Shahbazyan will return to the Octagon at UFC 248 against contender, Derek Brunson. |
A middleweight matchup between top ten contenders is set for UFC 248 on March 7th. as Derek Brunson meets with surging prospect, Edmen Shahbazyan. North Carolina native Brunson, recently extended his win-streak to two after defeats to Jacaré Souza and Israel Adesanya - managing victories over Elias Theodorou and Ian Heinisch. California youngster Shahbazyan will attempt to retain his pristine professional record against Brunson, having handed Brad Tavares a vicious opening-round high kick knockout at UFC 244 in November. News of the pairing was first reported by Adam Hill from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Twenty-seven fight veteran, Brunson, will make his sixteenth Octagon walk against Shahbazyan - as he attempts to restart another surge to the 185-pound summit. The 36-year-old holds career highlight triumphs over former UFC light heavyweight champion, Lyoto Machida, Uriah Hall, Chris Leben, Lorenz Larkin, and Roan Carneiro.
22-year-old #9 ranked contender, Shahbazyan, has exploded on the middleweight scene ever since his promotional debut back in November of 2018 - managing four consecutive victories. The striker has been tipped to eventually wear UFC gold in the future, and a victory over someone with stock like Brunson aids in his pursuit to beat Jon Jones' record for the organization's youngster champion. The Glendale based striker currently plys his trade under the tutelage of Glendale Fight Club coach, Edmond Tarverdyan. The pairing of Brunson and Shahbazyan adds to an already stacked card which features two championship bouts.
UFC 248 takes place on March 7th. from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Long rumored and recently announced by the promotion - a middleweight title bout between Israel Adesanya and Yoel Romero will serve as the event's headliner. In a co-main event pairing, Zhang Weili will look to defend her strawweight title for the first time, as she meets former division queen, Joanna Jędrzejczyk. At 170-pounds, Neil Magny returns as he takes on Li Jingliang. In a meeting of lightweight contenders, talented grappler, Beneil Dariush is paired with Drakkar Klose. At 115-pounds, Emily Whitmire matches up with Polyana Viana. In a bantamweight clash, Guido Cannetti squares off against Danna Batgerel.
Surging middleweight contender Jared Cannonier was expected to meet former division champion, Robert Whittaker, and then former welterweight title challenger Darren Till at the event, but Whittaker and Till have both withdrawn from the pairing due to personal reasons and an injury, respectively. It is believed the promotion is currently seeking a replacement in order to keep Cannonier on the card.
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