Fighters » Eduard Vartanyan
Eduard “Lionheart” Vartanyan is a highly-ranked Russian mixed martial artist known for his well-rounded skillset, competing primarily in the Lightweight division. He has built a reputation as one of the top fighters in the Eurasia region and is a former ACA Lightweight Grand Prix winner.
Here is a brief overview of his profile:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Division | Lightweight (also competes at Welterweight) |
| Height/Reach | 5’10” / 71-71.3 in (178-181 cm) |
| Birthplace | Yerevan, Armenian SSR |
| Fighting Out Of | Moscow, Russia |
| Team/Association | Strela Team / Fight Club No. 1 |
Notable Fights
Eduard Vartanyan has been in several pivotal fights throughout his career. The following table summarizes his most notable bouts:
| Opponent | Event | Result | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artem Reznikov | ACA 159 (Jun 16, 2023) | Win (TKO – Punches) | Won the 2022 ACA Lightweight Grand Prix. |
| Yusuf Raisov | ACA 147 (Nov 4, 2022) | Win (TKO – Doctor Stoppage) | ACA Grand Prix Semi-Final; dominant win over a highly-ranked fighter. |
| Abdul-Aziz Abdulvakhabov | ACB 77 (Dec 23, 2017) | Loss (Split Decision) | Lightweight Title Fight; controversial split decision loss in a rematch for the championship. |
| Andrey Koshkin | ACB 71 (Sep 30, 2017) | Win (Unanimous Decision) | Won the Interim ACB Lightweight Championship to become the top contender. |
| Alexander Sarnavskiy | ACB 57 (Apr 15, 2017) | Win (Submission – Rear-Naked Choke) | Notable victory over a veteran with over 40 professional wins. |
| Alexander Shabliy | ACB 49 (Nov 26, 2016) | Win (Split Decision) | Significant win in a close fight against a fellow top-tier lightweight. |
| Abdul-Aziz Abdulvakhabov | ACB 32 (Mar 26, 2016) | Loss (TKO – Punches) | First Lightweight Title Fight; first career loss by KO/TKO. |
Career Highlights and Background
Beyond his notable fights, Vartanyan’s career is marked by several key achievements:
- Championship Pedigree: He is a former interim ACB (now ACA) Lightweight Champion and the winner of the 2022 ACA Lightweight Grand Prix.
- Ambitious Goals: In late 2023, he notably turned down a major contract in Russia to pursue his goal of fighting in the UFC.
- Strong Base: Before his MMA success, Vartanyan was a Combat Sambo World Champion, winning the world cup in 2014, which earned him the title of International Master of Sports in Combat Sambo.
Eduard Vartanyan remains an active and dangerous contender in the global lightweight scene.
