The middleweight bout between Edmen Shahbazyan and Andre Petroski is set for UFC on ESPN: Usman vs. Buckley (UFC on ESPN 69) on June 14, 2025, at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. This matchup features two aggressive grapplers with knockout power, each looking to solidify their standing in the middleweight division.

Edmen Shahbazyan

Edmen Shahbazyan, an American fighter of Armenian descent, is known for his devastating knockout power and finishing ability. With a professional record of 14 wins and 5 losses, Shahbazyan has 12 knockouts and 1 submission, showcasing his preference for explosive finishes. His recent first-round TKO over Dylan Budka in February 2025 earned him Performance of the Night, signaling a return to form after a submission loss to Gerald Meerschaert in August 2024. Shahbazyan’s striking and aggression make him a dangerous finisher, but his grappling defense has been exposed against elite wrestlers, leading to three TKO losses and one submission defeat.

Edmen Shahbazyan – Last 5 Fights:

1. Win vs. Dylan Budka – TKO (Punches) (UFC Fight Night, February 15, 2025)
2. Loss vs. Gerald Meerschaert – Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) (UFC on ESPN, August 24, 2024)
3. Win vs. A.J. Dobson – KO (Elbows and Punches) (UFC on ESPN, March 23, 2024)
4. Loss vs. Anthony Hernandez – TKO (Elbows and Punches) (UFC Fight Night, May 20, 2023)
5. Win vs. Dalcha Lungiambula – TKO (Punches) (UFC 282, December 10, 2022)

Andre Petroski

Andre Petroski, an American fighter, is a grappling-heavy middleweight with a strong wrestling base and submission skills. With a professional record of 13 wins and 3 losses, Petroski has 4 knockouts, 4 submissions, and 5 decision victories, reflecting his versatility. His recent three-fight win streak, including unanimous decision wins over Rodolfo Vieira and Dylan Budka in 2024 and 2025, showcases his ability to control fights with grappling and outwork opponents. Petroski’s durability and ground game are his strengths, though his two TKO losses in 2023 highlight vulnerabilities against explosive strikers.

Andre Petroski – Last 5 Fights:

1. Win vs. Rodolfo Vieira – Unanimous Decision (UFC Fight Night, February 15, 2025)
2. Win vs. Dylan Budka – Unanimous Decision (UFC Fight Night, September 7, 2024)
3. Win vs. Josh Fremd – Unanimous Decision (UFC on ESPN, July 13, 2024)
4. Loss vs. Jacob Malkoun – TKO (Soccer Kick to the Body) (UFC on ESPN, March 30, 2024)
5. Loss vs. Michel Pereira – TKO (Punches) (UFC Fight Night, October 14, 2023)

Prediction:

This middleweight clash pits Edmen Shahbazyan’s knockout power against Andre Petroski’s relentless grappling and durability. Shahbazyan’s path to victory relies on keeping the fight standing, where his precise striking and explosive power can target Petroski for an early finish, as seen in his knockouts of Budka and A.J. Dobson. However, his recent submission loss to Meerschaert exposed weaknesses in his grappling defense, which Petroski could exploit with takedowns and ground control. Petroski will likely aim to close the distance, secure takedowns, and either hunt for a submission or dominate with ground-and-pound to sway the judges.

Shahbazyan’s finishing ability gives him a significant edge in a striking exchange, especially early in the fight, but Petroski’s wrestling and recent decision wins suggest he can weather the storm and grind out rounds. If Shahbazyan lands a clean shot in the first round, he could secure a knockout. However, Petroski’s ability to survive early danger and impose his grappling game, as he did against Vieira and Budka, makes him the slight favorite in a longer fight. Expect Petroski to absorb early pressure, drag the fight to the mat, and control the later rounds.

Prediction:

Andre Petroski def. Edmen Shahbazyan via Unanimous Decision (29–28 x3).