Melsik Baghdasaryan (born January 28, 1992) is an Armenian mixed martial artist, kickboxer and boxer, currently competing as a featherweight in the UFC. A professional competitor since 2013, he is the former Wu Lin Feng International champion,[3] and one-time K-1 Welterweight title challenger.[4]

Melsik Baghdasaryan
Baghdasaryan in 2015
Born (1992-01-28) January 28, 1992 (age 32)
Yerevan, Armenia
NicknameThe Gun
NationalityArmenian
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight145 lb (66 kg; 10 st 5 lb)
DivisionLightweight
Featherweight
Reach70 in (178 cm)[1]
StyleKickboxing
Fighting out ofGlendale, California
TeamGlendale Fighting Club[2]
Years active2013–present
Professional boxing record
Total3
Wins3
By knockout1
Kickboxing record
Total11
Wins9
By knockout4
Losses2
By knockout1
Mixed martial arts record
Total10
Wins8
By knockout5
By decision3
Losses2
By submission2
Other information
Boxing record from BoxRec
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Kickboxing career

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Early career

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Baghdasaryan began training karate at six years old, before transitioning to kickboxing, and later, muay thai. He has spent most of his professional career at the Glendale Fighting Club.[5]

Baghdasaryan was scheduled to fight Jermaine Soto at a GLORY event on September 28, 2013.[6] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[7]

Baghdasaryan fought during the WCK vs. Wulinfeng event in 2013, with his opponent being Xie Chuang.[8][9] Baghdasaryan won the fight by a unanimous decision,[10] while suffering a slight injury to his left thumb.[11]

Baghdasaryan was scheduled to fight John Vargas at WCK Muay Thai: Matter of Pride, on February 15, 2014. He won the fight by a third-round TKO.[12]

In 2014 he once again under WCK Muay Thai, facing Chen Wei Chao.[13] Melsik won the fight by a unanimous decision.

His kickboxing winning streak earned him a chance to fight for the Wu Lin Feng International title, held at the time by Qiu Jianliang.[8] Baghdasaryan continued his winning streak with a majority decision win over the reigning champion.[14]

Return to kickboxing

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In his return to kickboxing, Baghdasaryan participated in the Wu Lin Feng 67 kg tournament, but lost in the quarter final round to Lu Jianbo, by a first-round KO.[15] He bounced back with a decision wins over Wei Ninghui.[16]

In 2017 Melsik took part in the K-1 Welterweight Grand Prix.[17] He won a unanimous decision over Kazuki Yamagiwa in the quarter final bout, but an injury prevented him from taking further part in the tournament, and he was subsequently replaced by Yamagiwa.[18]

His next fight with K-1 was against Yuta Kubo, winner of the 2017 Welterweight Grand Prix, for the K-1 Welterweight title. Kubo won the fight by a unanimous decision.[19]

Boxing career

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After winning the WLF title, Melsik transitioned to boxing in 2015. He has had three professional fights to date. In his boxing debut he faced Mario Angeles. Angelas was unable to figure out how to fight against a southpaw and lost the fight in the third round, after a right to the body which forced the referee to stop the fight.[20]

In his second boxing match, Melsik fought Abraham Calderon Ruiz, winning the fight through a unanimous decision.[21] He then fought Diego Padilla, and won the match by a majority decision.[22]

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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After he suffered a submission loss in his MMA debut in 2014, Melsik would wait until 2019 for his second MMA bout. Baghdasaryan amassed a four fight knockout winning streak, with a cumulative fight time of 62 seconds. In the last of those four fights, against Art Hernandez, he made his lightweight debut.[23]

Baghdasaryan was given a chance to fight for a UFC contract at Dana White's Contender Series 31, when he faced Dennis Buzukja.[24] He won the fight by a unanimous decision, but was not given a contract.[25]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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In March 2021, Baghdasaryan signed with the UFC.[26]

Baghdasaryan made his promotional debut against Collin Anglin at UFC on ESPN 28 on July 31, 2021.[27] He won the fight via knockout in round two.[28] This fight earned him the Performance of the Night award.[29]

Baghdasaryan was scheduled to face T.J. Laramie November 6, 2021 at UFC 268.[30] However, Laramie was forced to pull out due to diagnosed with MRSA.[31] He was replaced by LFA Featherweight Champion Bruno Souza in his promotional debut.[32] At the weigh-ins, Souza weighed in at 148.4 pounds, 2.4 pounds over the featherweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at a catchweight and he forfeited 20% of his purse to Baghdasaryan.[33] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[34]

Baghdasaryan was scheduled to face T.J. Laramie on April 16, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 206.[35] However, Melsik pulled out due to unknown reasons.[36]

Baghdasaryan was expected to face Joanderson Brito on October 15, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 212.[37] However, Baghdasaryan pulled out in late September due to a broken hand.[38]

Baghdasaryan faced Joshua Culibao on February 12, 2023, at UFC 284.[39] He lost the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the second round.[40]

Baghdasaryan next faced Tucker Lutz at UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Bueno Silva on July 15, 2023, winning the bout via unanimous decision.[41]

Baghdasaryan was scheduled to face William Gomis on February 3, 2024, UFC Fight Night 235.[42] However, Gomis pulled out due to undisclosed reasons in early January.[43]

Baghdasaryan was eventually rebooked a week later against Hyder Amil on February 10, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 236, replacing Shayilan Nuerdanbieke.[44] In turn, Baghdasaryan pulled out on fight week due to injury and was replaced by Fernie Garcia.[45]

Baghdasaryan was scheduled to face Muhammad Naimov on June 22, 2024 at UFC on ABC 6.[46] However, Baghdasaryan pulled out during fight week due to a torn labrum in his left shoulder.[47]

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts

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Kickboxing

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
10 matches 8 wins 2 losses
By knockout 5 0
By submission 0 2
By decision 3 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 8–2 Tucker Lutz Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Holm vs. Bueno Silva July 15, 2023 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 7–2 Joshua Culibao Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 284 February 12, 2023 2 2:02 Perth, Australia
Win 7–1 Bruno Souza Decision (unanimous) UFC 268 November 6, 2021 3 5:00 New York City, New York, United States Catchweight (148.4 lb) bout; Souza missed weight.
Win 6–1 Collin Anglin KO (head kick and punches) UFC on ESPN: Hall vs. Strickland July 31, 2021 2 1:50 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 5–1 Dennis Buzukja Decision (unanimous) Dana White's Contender Series 31 September 1, 2020 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Return to Featherweight.
Win 4–1 Art Hernandez KO (punch) Lights Out Xtreme Fighting 3 September 21, 2019 1 0:07 Commerce, California, United States Lightweight debut.
Win 3–1 Jay White TKO (punches) Gladiator Challenge: Berry vs. Baseman June 1, 2019 1 0:09 San Jacinto, California, United States
Win 2–1 Mauricio Diaz TKO (punches) Lights Out Xtreme Fighting 1 May 11, 2019 1 0:32 Burbank, California, United States Catchweight (146.8 lb) bout; Baghdasaryan missed weight.
Win 1–1 Jason Gouvion TKO (punches) Gladiator Challenge: MMA World Championships March 23, 2019 1 0:14 Whitney, California, United States
Loss 0–1 Jay Bogan Submission (armbar) LOP: Chaos at the Casino 4 April 12, 2014 1 1:26 Inglewood, California, United States Featherweight debut; Bogan missed weight (147 lb).

Kickboxing record

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Professional Kickboxing Record
9 Wins (4 (T)KO's), 2 Losses, 0 Draw, 0 No Contest
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time
March 31, 2018 Loss   Yuta Kubo K-1 World GP 2018: K'FESTA.1 Saitama, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
For the K-1 Welterweight title.
September 9, 2017 Win   Kazuki Yamagiwa K-1 World GP 2017 Welterweight Championship Tournament, Quarter Finals Saitama, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
November 17, 2016 Win   Wei Ninghui Wu Lin Feng 2016: China vs USA Las Vegas, United States Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
January 23, 2016 Loss   Lu Jianbo Wu Lin Feng 2016: World Kickboxing Championship in Shanghai Shanghai, China KO (Straight Right) 1
November 1, 2014 Win   Qiu Jianliang Wu Lin Feng & WCK Muaythai: China vs USA Las Vegas, United States Decision (Majority) 3 3:00
Fight Was For Wu Lin Feng International Championship -67 kg.
June 9, 2014 Win   Chen Wei Chao WCK Muay Thai: International Showdown Temecula, California, United States Decision (Split) 3 3:00
February 15, 2014 Win   John Vargas WCK Muay Thai: Matter of Pride Temecula, California, United States TKO 3
November 2, 2013 Win   Xie Chuang WCK vs. Wulinfeng 2013 Las Vegas, United States Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
September 28, 2013 Win   Jermaine Soto Road to GLORY Ontario, California, United States Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

Professional boxing record

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3 fights 3 wins 0 losses
By knockout 1 0
By decision 2 0
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
3 Win 3–0   Diego Padilla MD 4 Oct 23, 2015   Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.
2 Win 2–0   Abraham Calderon Ruiz UD 4 Jul 2, 2015   Belasco Theater, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
1 Win 1–0   Mario Angeles KO 3 (4), 2:10 Apr 2, 2015   Belasco Theater, Los Angeles, California, U.S.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Melsik Baghdasaryan". tapology.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  2. ^ "Fight Team". gfcfitness.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  3. ^ "選手プロフィール". k-1.co.jp. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  4. ^ "K'Festa Results from Japan". kickboxingz.com. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  5. ^ "WCK Muay Thai Fighter Series Episode 03 - Melsik Baghdasaryan". youtube.com. June 5, 2014. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  6. ^ Gordon, Grant (August 9, 2013). "Glendale boxer Gapo Tolmajyan ready for 'Friday Night Fights'". latimes.com/. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  7. ^ "Glory 10 Los Angeles Middleweight World Championship". sportofboxing.com. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  8. ^ a b "WCK FULL RULES MUAY THAI- LAS VEGAS SPECTACULAR VI TEAM WCK VS. TEAM WuLinFeng". sherdog.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  9. ^ "武林风走进拉斯维加斯第6季- 称重高清图集[附录播地址]". hula8.net. November 2014. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
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  11. ^ "KICKBOXING & MMA SHOW RESULTS" (PDF). boxing.nv.gov. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  12. ^ "WCK Muay Thai: Matter of Pride". americanboxing.net. March 17, 2014. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  13. ^ "World Championship Muay Thai returns to Pechanga on Saturday". sportofboxing.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  14. ^ "Qiu Jianliang was almost knocked down, relying on a move to save the danger". m.trending.network. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  15. ^ "WLF Round up". eliteboxing.tv. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  16. ^ "WCK MuayThai (World Championship MuayThai)". facebook.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  17. ^ "9月29日(金)深夜2:00~ テレビ東京「新K-1伝説」 9.18 さいたま [初代ウェルター級王座決定トーナメント]、 11.23 さいたま [初代ヘビー級王座決定トーナメント] スーパーファイト出場選手発表記者会見の模様を放送!". k-1.co.jp. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
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  19. ^ "(VIDEO) Sjajna K-1 priredba u Saitama Super Areni". croring.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  20. ^ "Early LA Fight Club Results: Melsik Baghdasaryan vs. Mario Angeles". heavybagboxing.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  21. ^ "Respaldo de lujo el 2/7 en Los Ángeles". notifight.com. June 25, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  22. ^ "Glendale Fighting Club's Baghdasaryan boxes way to 3-0". Los Angeles Times. October 28, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  23. ^ "Melsik Baghdasaryan devotes long hours to his UFC dream". ocregister.com. August 31, 2020. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  24. ^ "Contender Series 31 headliner Dennis Buzukja predicts first-round finish of Melsik Baghdasaryan". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. August 31, 2020. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  25. ^ "DWCS episode 5: Dennis Buzukja vs. Melsik Baghdasaryan live results and highlights". fansided.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  26. ^ "Melsik Baghdasaryan signs deal with UFC | NEWS.am Sport - All about sports". sport.news.am. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  27. ^ "UFC pairs debutants Collin Anglin, Melsik Baghdasaryan for July 31 matchup". MMA Junkie. May 13, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  28. ^ Vreeland, Daniel (July 31, 2021). "UFC Vegas 33 Results: Melsik Baghdasaryan Head Kick KOs Collin Anglin". Cageside Press. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  29. ^ a b "UFC on ESPN 28 bonuses: Melsik Baghdasaryan's head-kick statement worth $50,000". MMA Junkie. August 1, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  30. ^ DNA, MMA (August 31, 2021). "Melsik Baghdasaryan vs. TJ Laramie toegevoegd aan UFC 268 in New York". MMA DNA. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  31. ^ "T.J. Laramie announces UFC 268 withdrawal after MRSA diagnosis, shares graphic images". MMA Junkie. October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  32. ^ DNA, MMA (October 30, 2021). "BREAKING: LFA kampioen Bruno Souza treft Melsik Baghdasaryan op 6 november in New York". MMA DNA. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  33. ^ Alexander K. Lee (November 5, 2021). "UFC 268 weigh-in results: Two title fights set; Main event backup Vicente Luque, two others miss weight". mmafighting.com. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  34. ^ Bitter, Shawn (November 6, 2021). "UFC 268 Results: Melsik Baghdasaryan Takes Decision Against Bruno Souza". Cageside Press. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  35. ^ Dorff, Marcel. "AUDIENCE FAVORITE BAGHDASARYAN BOOKED AGAIN AGAINST CANADIAN LARAMIE". www.eurosport.com. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  36. ^ Anderson, Jay (March 22, 2022). "UFC: TJ Laramie Replaces Fellow Canuck Tucker, Faces Pat Sabatini on April 16". Cageside Press. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  37. ^ Arshad (August 28, 2022). "Melsik Baghdasaryan vs Joanderson Brito set for UFC Vegas 62". itnwwe.com. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  38. ^ Guilherme Cruz (September 28, 2022). "Broken hand knocks Melsik Baghdasaryan out of UFC Vegas 62 fight with Joanderson Brito". mmafighting.com. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
  39. ^ "UFC 284: Joshua Culibao to steal highlight off headliners Volkanovski and Whittaker". The Daily Telegraph. November 4, 2022. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  40. ^ Jay Anderson (February 11, 2023). "UFC 284: Josh Culibao endures low blow, subs Melsik Baghdasaryan". Cageside Press. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
  41. ^ Anderson, Jay (July 15, 2023). "UFC Vegas 77: Melsik Baghdasaryan Wins Decision, Admits He Underestimated Tucker Lutz". Cageside Press. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  42. ^ Desk, ITN News (December 5, 2023). "Melsik Baghdasaryan vs William Gomis Reported for UFC Vegas 85". www.itnwwe.com. Retrieved December 6, 2023. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  43. ^ Nolan King and Farah Hannoun (January 5, 2024). "Two more fighters withdraw from UFC Fight Night 235 in Las Vegas". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  44. ^ "UPDATES TO UFC FIGHT NIGHT: DOLIDZE VS IMAVOV". UFC. January 11, 2024. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  45. ^ Nolan King (February 6, 2024). "UFC Fight Night 236 lineup hit with pair of late changes". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  46. ^ Martinez, Diego (April 9, 2024). "Muhammad Naimov vs. Melsik Baghdasaryan agendado al UFC on ABC 6" (in Spanish). Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  47. ^ Alexander K. Lee (June 17, 2024). "Melsik Baghdasaryan out of UFC Saudi Arabia due to injury". mmafighting.com. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
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