Shahbazyan, nicknamed “The Golden Boy,” was marked for greatness heading into his first UFC main event having gone 4-0 for the promotion after earning a contract on the Contender Series. Three of those wins came by way of first-round finish, which made Shahbazyan a heavy favorite in his matchup with the more experienced Brunson.
Known as a high-level gatekeeper, Brunson shut Shahbazyan down, hurting him badly at the end of round two before finishing with strikes early in the third. It was the third straight victory for Brunson, who kept himself in the thick of the contenders conversation at 185 pounds.
Up next Brunson fights another fast-rising middleweight, 2020 Fighter of the Year candidate Kevin Holland. They face off in the main event of UFC Vegas 22 this Saturday.
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