Bubble Busters: The Middleweights

EDMEN SHAHBAZYAN IS FOR REAL!@EdmenShahbazyan stops Tavares in round 1! Wow! #UFC244 pic.twitter.com/qC8mSnM4JD

— UFC (@ufc) November 3, 2019

Bubble Busters is a limited series examining each division for on-the-bubble MMA contenders who operate just outside of Top 10 contention and outlining their potential paths to ranked recognition. From skills fighters could improve to possible matches for which they should campaign, we attempt to solve the riddles associated with crossing the contender threshold. Next up, the middleweights.

Edmen Shahbazyan: Since a flawless 40-second victory on Dana White’s Contender Series earned him a shot in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the 22-year-old has been all gas and no brakes in his quest to become the youngest champion in UFC history. At this rate, he might well have a chance to achieve his goal. Since Shahbazyan arrived in the UFC, he has rattled off four consecutive wins, including finishes in the last three. Next on his radar: a shot at a high-profile middleweight, as he looks to pick up a signature victory and move toward a run at the division’s elite. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Shahbazyan was scheduled to meet Derek Brunson in a battle that would have served as an excellent gauge for where he stands in his progression. It will be interesting to see how the undefeated prospect responds to being dragged into deep water. In 11 professional appearances, Shahbazyan has gone the distance just once. Wrestling remains a weakness, but even that aspect of his game looks more and more sound with each outing.

Omari Akhmedov: The American Top Team standout spent the early portion of his UFC career in the welterweight division, where, hampered by an extensive weight cut, he alternated wins and losses before the lightbulb went off. It resulted in a move to 185 pounds, and he has not tasted defeat in six bouts since. The sustained success has Akhmedov knocking at the door to contention. With a world-class camp behind him and a more complete game than any other fighter sitting outside the Top 10, Akhmedov appears to have a solid chance to cross over the threshold into the middleweight division’s upper tier. His win over Ian Heinisch proved many doubters wrong and could serve as a springboard to a higher level of competition. One opponent who makes sense for Akhmedov: Brad Tavares. The Hawaiian has experience against a number of top middleweights and would provide a strong barometer in regards to whether or not Akhmedov has the goods necessary to make the next leap.

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Uriah Hall: After his run to “The Ultimate Fighter 17” final, Hall was viewed as a future title contender who had the potential for greatness. It has not quite gone according to plan. Even so, Hall has earned some quality wins against top-level opponents, and at 35 years of age and 15 fights into his UFC tenure, he continues to compete with some of the best fighters in the world. Prior to the coronavirus outbreak, he had been booked opposite former Strikeforce champion Ronaldo Souza in a bout well-suited to propel him deeper into the Top 10 at 185 pounds. Now north of 40, “Jacare” has shown signs of deterioration in recent appearances but still carries the name recognition needed to bolster a resume. With his striking pedigree and athleticism, Hall figures to remain a problem for the rest of the weight class for the foreseeable future.

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Related Coverage »

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• Bubble Busters: The Heavyweights
• Bubble Busters: The Light Heavyweights

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