LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 15: (L-R) Edmen Shahbazyan punches Dylan Budka in a middleweight struggle in the course of the UFC Combat Evening occasion at UFC APEX on February 15, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Picture by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
As soon as an undefeated prospect within the UFC’s middleweight division, Edmen Shahbazyan discovered himself on uneven footing as he headed into his struggle in opposition to Dylan Budka at UFC Vegas 102.
Shabazyan had been buying and selling wins and losses of late, and was getting into off a loss in opposition to veteran Gerald Meerschaert. As for Budka, he discovered himself in must-win territory, having misplaced his first two fights below the UFC banner.
The opening spherical began and Budka confirmed a stunning willingness to face toe-to-toe and swing with Shahbazyan. They saved exchanging, with each fighters touchdown and lacking at about the identical. Shahbazyan, the extra well-versed striker, ultimately found out Budka’s timing. Budka doubled-up his jab, however ‘The Golden Boy’ landed a picture-perfect pull-back counter proper hand. That punch despatched Budka stumbling again and knocked him off stability. With Budka within the fetal place, the poor physique language pressured the referee to step in and cease the struggle.
The as soon as promising prospect prevented one other shedding streak by getting again within the win column. At 27 years of age, perhaps now’s the time for Shahbazyan to indicate whether or not he can lastly put all of it collectively and attain the rankings as soon as once more.
As for Budka, that is possible the top of his UFC run after going 0-3. Nonetheless, being simply 25 years outdated, it’s not too late for him to get expertise on the regional scene and struggle his means again to the massive leagues.
Official Consequence: Edmen Shahbazyan def. Dylan Budka by TKO, Spherical 1, 1:35
