Karen Darabedyan
{{short description|American mixed martial arts fighter}}
{{use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox martial artist
| name = Karen Darabedyan
| other_names =
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1986|12|18|mf=yes}}
| birth_place = Armenian SSR, Soviet Union
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_cause =
| residence =
| nationality = Armenian
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=7}}
| weight = {{convert|170|lb|kg st|abbr=on}}
| weight_class = Lightweight
| reach = {{convert|68|in|cm|abbr=on}}
| style =
| stance = Orthodox
| fighting_out_of = Glendale, California, United States
| team = Hayastan MMA Academy
Main Event Gym
Glendale Fight Club
| rank =
| years_active =
| mma_kowin = 3
| mma_subwin = 5
| mma_decwin = 6
| mma_koloss = 2
| mma_subloss = 2
| mma_decloss = 2
| mma_draw =
| mma_nc =
| url =
| sherdog = 17049
| footnotes =
| updated =
}}
Karen Darabedyan ({{langx|hy| Կարեն Դարաբեդյան}},{{Cite web|url=https://hi-in.facebook.com/ArmeniaMMA/posts/918701381827083|title=Armenia MMA - 🎬 Կարեն Դարաբեդյան 💥 Առաջին հայ մարտիկներից}} born December 18, 1986) is an Armenian-American professional mixed martial artist and the founder of KD MMA Training Center in Glendale, CA. He is best known for fighting in WEC's lightweight division. Darabedyan is a training partner of Karo Parisyan and Manvel Gamburyan. He had a 12-0 amateur boxing record before he began MMA.{{cite news |title=A Fighting Chance For HyeFIghter Karen Darabedyan |url=http://www.hyefighters.com/2009/11/17/a-fighting-chance-for-hyefighter-karen-darabedyan/ |work=HyeFighters |date=November 17, 2009 |access-date=November 17, 2009 |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131233151/http://www.hyefighters.com/2009/11/17/a-fighting-chance-for-hyefighter-karen-darabedyan/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |last=Reyes |first=Kate |date=March 9, 2016 |title=The Best of MMA: Karen Darabedyan |url=http://www.hollywoodglammagazine.com/2016/03/09/the-best-of-mma-karen-darabedyan/ |work= Hollywood Glam Magazine |access-date=March 9, 2016}}
Biography
Darabedyan is an Armenian mixed martial arts fighter who has positioned himself as a well-rounded athlete through diverse and extensive training. He began studying karate at the age of 5 and taekwondo at the age of 9, earning his black belt in both by age 18.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/16738/fight-path-thrilla-in-manilla-site-helped-launch-wec-newcomer-karen-darabedyans-career.mma|title=Fight Path: "Thrilla in Manilla" site helped launch WEC newcomer Karen Darabedyan's career|publisher=mmajunkie.com|accessdate=2009-11-05|archive-date=November 9, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091109033544/http://mmajunkie.com/news/16738/fight-path-thrilla-in-manilla-site-helped-launch-wec-newcomer-karen-darabedyans-career.mma|url-status=dead}}
He began expanding his martial arts training in junior high by taking up boxing, kick boxing, judo and wrestling, earning a black belt in judo by age 16 and achieving a 12-0 amateur boxing record by 18. During high school, he claimed two judo state championship titles and placed third in the nation. At age 16, Darabedyan entered the world of grappling, placing 1st in the Intermediate Men's No-Gi Lightweight division at the 2004 Grapplers Quest West 5 and winning 1st place at under 189.9 pounds in the 2007 World Grappling Games Best of West.
Drawing on his diverse training, Darabedyan competed in his first mixed martial arts fight at age 18, claiming a win in the first round by KO. Since then, he has compiled a 9–4 record. Despite Darabedyan's strong judo and grappling background, he tends to favor keeping the fight on his feet and striking.
He trained with Gokor Chivichyan and Gene LeBell as well as Roma Kalantaryan at Main Event Gym in Glendale.
WEC career
He made his WEC debut by defeating former WEC Lightweight Champion Rob McCullough on November 18, 2009, at WEC 44.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/16571/wec-44-fight-card-complete-with-addition-of-newcomer-karen-darabedyan.mma|title=WEC 44 fight card complete with addition of newcomer Karen Darabedyan|publisher=mmajunkie.com|accessdate=2009-10-21|archive-date=October 24, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091024082149/http://mmajunkie.com/news/16571/wec-44-fight-card-complete-with-addition-of-newcomer-karen-darabedyan.mma|url-status=dead}}
Darabedyan lost via armbar to Bart Palaszewski on March 6, 2010, at WEC 47.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/17695/karen-darabedyan-vs-bart-palaszewski-added-to-wec-47-main-card-in-ohio.mma |title=Karen Darabedyan vs. Bart Palaszewski added to WEC 47 main card in Ohio |publisher=mmajunkie.com |date=2010-01-26 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100129054315/http://mmajunkie.com/news/17695/karen-darabedyan-vs-bart-palaszewski-added-to-wec-47-main-card-in-ohio.mma |archivedate=2010-01-29 }}
He then faced Will Kerr on June 20, 2010, at WEC 49.{{cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/18894/karen-darabedyan-vs-will-kerr-added-to-junes-wec-49-varner-vs-shalorus.mma|title=Karen Darabedyan vs. Will Kerr added to June's "WEC 49: Varner vs. Shalorus"|publisher=mmajunkie.com|date=2010-04-26|access-date=April 27, 2010|archive-date=October 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015062711/http://mmajunkie.com/news/18894/karen-darabedyan-vs-will-kerr-added-to-junes-wec-49-varner-vs-shalorus.mma|url-status=dead}} He lost the fight via submission in the first round.
Darabedyan was expected to face fellow WEC veteran Marcus Hicks on September 11, 2010, at Shark Fights 13 but Hicks was forced off the card with an injury. Instead, he faced Daniel Mason-Straus and lost the fight via unanimous decision.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/20542/villasenor-vs-villefort-darabedya-vs-straus-official-for-shark-fights-13.mma |title=Villasenor vs. Villefort, Darabedyan vs. Straus official for Shark Fights 13 |accessdate=September 5, 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100909015429/http://mmajunkie.com/news/20542/villasenor-vs-villefort-darabedya-vs-straus-official-for-shark-fights-13.mma |archivedate=September 9, 2010 }}
Mixed martial arts record
{{MMArecordbox
| draws=
| nc=
| ko-wins= 3
| ko-losses= 2
| sub-wins= 5
| sub-losses= 2
| dec-wins= 6
| dec-losses= 2
| dq-wins=
| dq-losses=
| other-wins=
| other-losses=
}}
{{MMA record start}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 14–6
| Dave Terrel
| Decision (unanimous)
| Extreme Fighters MMA - Ready for War
| {{dts|2017|October|7}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| Long Beach, California, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 13–6
| Sam Liera
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| {{dts|2017|June|2}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 1:46
| Burbank, California, United States
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 12–6
| TKO (punches)
| RFA 38: Moises vs. Emmers
| {{dts|2016|June|3}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:42
| Costa Mesa, California, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 12–5
| Joe Condon
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| CXF 2 - Gold Rush
| {{dts|2016|April|22}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:12
| Studio City, California, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 11–5
| Pablo Sabori
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| Lights Out / Bash Entertainment - Fight Night at Sportsmen's Lodge 5
| {{dts|2016|March|4}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:07
| Los Angeles, California, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 10–5
| L. John Borges
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| NFA: Valley Invasion 4
| {{dts|2014|August|8}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:09
| Woodland Hills, California, United States
| Return to Lightweight
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 9–5
| Mike Brazzle
| TKO (punches)
| ShoFight 20
| {{dts|2012|June|16}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:15
| Springfield, Missouri, United States
| Welterweight
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 9–4
| Decision (unanimous)
| Shark Fights 13: Jardine vs Prangley
| {{dts|2010|September|11}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| Amarillo, Texas, United States
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 9–3
| Submission (armbar)
| WEC 49
| {{dts|2010|June|20}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:20
| Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 9–2
| Submission (armbar)
| WEC 47
| {{dts|2010|March|6}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:40
| Columbus, Ohio, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 9–1
| Decision (split)
| WEC 44
| {{dts|2009|November|18}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 8–1
| Estevan Payan
| TKO (punches)
| Shark Fights 6: Stars & Stripes
| {{dts|2009|September|12}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:20
| Amarillo, Texas, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 7–1
| Joe Camacho
| TKO
| Call to Arms I
| {{dts|2009|May|16}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 5:00
| Ontario, California, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 6–1
| Decision (unanimous)
| All Star Boxing: Caged in the Cannon
| {{dts|2009|February|6}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| Montebello, California, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 5–1
| Decision (split)
| Gladiator Challenge
| {{dts|2009|January|25}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| Los Angeles, California, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 4–1
| Jared Papazian
| Submission (rear naked choke)
| Total Fighting Alliance 12
| {{dts|2008|September|13}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:36
| Long Beach, California, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 3–1
| Anthony McDavitt
| Decision (unanimous)
| Long Beach Fight Night
| {{dts|2008|August|17}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| Long Beach, California, United States
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 2–1
| Koji Oishi
| Decision (unanimous)
| Plainum Fighting Productions - Ring of Fire
| {{dts|2007|December|9}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| Manila, Philippines
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 2–0
| Luke Adams
| Decision (unanimous)
| EFWC - The Untamed
| {{dts|2007|October|6}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| Anaheim, California, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 1–0
| Joe Alvarado
| TKO
| California Xtreme Fighting 2
| {{dts|2006|July|15}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:06
| Upland, California, United States
|
{{end}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.kdmma.com Karen Darabedyan - Official Website]
- {{Sherdog}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Darabedyan, Karen}}
Category:Armenian male mixed martial artists
Category:Lightweight mixed martial artists
Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing judo
Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing taekwondo
Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing karate
Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing boxing
Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Category:Armenian practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Category:Armenian male karateka
Category:Armenian male taekwondo practitioners
Category:Armenian male kickboxers