Shahbazyan Escaped Muniz’s Wrestling

Edmen Shahbazyan stopped André Muniz on October 4, 2025, during the UFC 320 preliminary card at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The middleweight fight ended by technical knockout at 4:58 of the first round, just two seconds before the scheduled break.

Muniz sought openings through kicks and clinches

Muniz began by kicking from the open-stance matchup and looking for opportunities to close the distance. Shahbazyan defended the first takedown attempt and connected with a left hook after the fighters separated.

The Brazilian continued pursuing clinch exchanges and eventually brought Shahbazyan down near the fence. For much of the round, neither fighter had established the kind of sustained advantage that suggested an immediate finish.

A quick return to the feet changed everything

Shahbazyan used a switch to regain his footing and landed a left hook that visibly hurt Muniz. He immediately followed rather than giving his opponent time to recover or rebuild the grappling exchange.

Punches and elbows from top position completed the attack. Referee Mark Smith intervened in the closing seconds, turning what had been a competitive opening round into another first-round stoppage for Shahbazyan.

The result extended a rebuilding streak

Shahbazyan entered after a decision victory over André Petroski. Beating Muniz gave him three consecutive wins, his first such UFC streak since the four victories that began his promotional career.

The finish rewarded both his defensive recovery and his recognition of the opening afterward. Muniz’s successful takedown did not become prolonged control, and Shahbazyan transformed the immediate escape into the contest’s decisive attacking sequence.

Sources

• Cageside Press: takedown recovery, finishing attack and winning streak
• UFC: official Muniz result and preceding Petroski victory

Tags

UFC, MMA