It wasn’t long ago that UFC middleweight Edmen Shahbazyan was one of the hottest prospects in MMA. That was before a three-fight skid abruptly halted his momentum. Shahbazyan, who will attempt to correct the skid this weekend at UFC 282, revealed to MMAFighting that, after his third loss in a row, it was time for a fresh start. Shahbazyan split with manager Ronda Rousey and head coach Edmond Tarverdyan because of a “toxic feeling” at his old team.
Shahbazyan is now training with Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas, and believes his new surroundings will put him back on the path to victory.
Shahbazyan Blames “Toxic Feeling” With Old Team For Losses
“Back when I was training in Glendale, I feel like my last couple of fights, it was a bit of a toxic feeling and stressful with my surroundings. I had to get away from that.
That’s one of the other reasons that I got away from there. Now that I have all this opportunity in front of me, living in Vegas and living on my own, it’s so good for me. I feel free mentally, and physically it’s just been great.
I guess toward the end, just not seeing eye to eye with coaches. It was stressful, but I’m happy things played out the way they did.” Shahbazyan also credits Xtreme Couture’s bigger, more qualified stable of fighters for his success.
“Right now, I’m surrounded by high level guys, and it’s all UFC fighters, high-level MMA fighters next to me. Getting work with them is amazing, and it’s pushing me to my limits for sure.
Most importantly, there’s a lot of bodies. A lot of high-level guys, especially around my weight and higher and also a lot of grappling and wrestling rounds we’ve been putting in. Those are the two main things I feel I needed work with and it’s happening here.
Each round when we’re doing our sparring, each round you get a new guy, you’re working with a new guy and you’re just pushing yourself to your limits. You’re constantly getting pushed and getting better each practice.”
Shahbazyan is promising a new and improved version of himself at UFC 282 this weekend. “It’s definitely a new, fresh start for me. I’m going to pick up the momentum fight by fight, improve, and just climb up the rankings slowly. No rush. I’m just happy to be where I’m at.
The Edmen you’re about to see, I feel so much better it’s crazy. For my last fight, which was a year ago, it’s crazy how much I feel I’ve gotten better. You guys will see. A year ago to now, it’s such a different fighter from where I am now.”
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