As fight night approaches, the buzz intensifies around the matchup this Saturday between Edmen Shahbazyan and Andre Petroski. Both fighters enter this clash with wins in their most recent fights, with Shahbazyan listed as the favorite to get another. Here, I break down this middleweight matchup and give you my Edmen Shahbazyan vs Andre Petroski prediction.
Our Edmen Shahbazyan vs Andre Petroski Pick
- Pick: Edmen Shahbazyan by TKO/KO in Round 1 or 2
- Confidence: ★★★★☆
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Tale of the Tape
| Stat | Edmen Shahbazyan | Andre Petroski |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 27 | 34 |
| Height | 6′2″ | 6′0″ |
| Reach | 75″ | 73″ |
| Stance | Orthodox | Switch |
| Record | 14–5 (12 KOs, 1 Sub) | 13–4 (4 KOs, 4 Subs) |
Edmen Shahbazyan vs Andre Petroski Preview
Lauded early in his UFC career, Shahbazyan has built a reputation as a devastating striker, earning a remarkable 12 knockouts among his 14 wins. His first-round TKO over Dylan Budka in February 2025 secured another Performance of the Night bonus, reaffirming his power and aggression. That said, blemishes in his resume remain, including a second-round submission loss to Gerald Meerschaert and a late-round TKO defeat against Anthony Hernandez, raising questions about his defense and stamina.
Petroski, on the other hand, presents a more balanced skill set. The 33-year-old wrestling-based fighter is a brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Daniel Gracie, and he’s earned four submission victories among his 13 wins. A recent streak of unanimous decisions over Rodolfo Vieira, Dylan Budka, and Josh Fremd demonstrate improved takedown control and fight IQ. His wrestling threat and ground discipline are his calling card.
Shahbazyan’s explosive striking against Petroski’s pressure and grappling creates an intriguing chess match here. If Edmen can keep the fight standing and use his reach and speed, he’ll dominate. If Petroski forces grappling exchanges, Shahbazyan could find himself in trouble on the mat.
Betting Insights
- Moneyline: Shahbazyan is listed at –175 at bet365, with Petroski at +150.
- Prop bets: Unders (under 1.5 rounds) are being listed around +105, reflecting the possibility of a quick finish.
Edmen Shahbazyan vs Andre Petroski Prediction
Shahbazyan starts as the favorite for good reason, thanks to his explosive power, size advantages, and excellent first-round finishing ability. History shows that he thrives in fast-paced striking battles, and his recent knockout wins suggest sharp form heading into this fight.
However, this is no walk in the park given Petroski’s grappling credentials. His wrestling-heavy approach has led to locking down opponents for decisions, and his conditioning allows him to push the pace for three rounds. That said, Petroski has yet to score a stoppage since early in his UFC run, indicating he may not match Shahbazyan in damage output.
Strategically, a successful Petroski game plan would involve controlled takedowns and top pressure. But Shahbazyan’s takedown defense and reach could keep the fight upright if he executes well. Odds lean in Shahbazyan’s favor, but he will only win if he avoids the grappling of his opponent.
Ultimately, I lean on Shahbazyan’s finishing upside and recent form. A quick knockout is certainly a possibility here.
Final Thoughts
Edmen Shahbazyan enters this fight with clear momentum thanks to his last knockout and powerful striking arsenal. Andre Petroski brings solid wrestling and jiu-jitsu, but lacks the finishing threat Shahbazyan poses early. Betting the favorite at –175 on the moneyline offers decent value given his market-implied win rate. A prop wager on an early finish could enhance returns. My pick is Shahbazyan by TKO or KO in the first two rounds, a high-confidence choice based on striking dynamics and recent performances.
