Yancy Medeiros began his professional MMA journey in late 2008, competing at the biggest MMA stages for nearly his entire career. Medeiros holds wins over the likes of John Makdessi, Damon Jackson and Alex Oliveira, with Medeiros vs. Oliveira named one of the greatest fights in the sport in 2017. Medeiros is 1-0 (1 NC) in Bellator thus far, defeating Emmanuel Sanchez at Bellator 279 and seeing a win over Charlie Leary get overturned to a no contest.
Zhora Ayvazyan began his journey in combat sports by starting wrestling at 11 years old. He’d transition over to Combat Sambo, where he’d score a victory over current Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov. Ayvazyan won nine straight before the lone loss of his MMA career, and he has won five straight since. Ayvazyan last fought in December 2022, defeating Ali Kabdulla.
Who will come out on top in this Lightweight battle?
Round 1
Both men feeling each other out, moving around the center of the cage. Both men flashing a left jab, with Medeiros coming forward a little more. Low kick from Ayvazyan. Left hand from Medeiros is blocked. Medeiros continues to flash the jab. Ayvazyan shoots in and gets the takedown, though Medeiros gets back to his feet quickly. Ayvazyan gets to Medeiros’s back. Ayvazyan gets a takedown and lands a few shots to the head as Medeiros gets back up. The two are against the cage as Ayvazyan gets another takedown. Medeiros is up again quickly.
Medeiros trying to work Ayvazyan’s hands. Ayvazyan gets another takedown, Medeiros up again, and Ayvazyan brings him down again. Ayvazyan puts his weight on top as Medeiros sits up against the cage. Ayvazyan gets his legs on Medeiros to prevent elevation. Medeiros is able to get to his feet with about a minute left, but Ayvazyan still has the body lock. Medeiros sprawls on another Ayvazyan takedown attempt and gets the fight back to the center. Left hand from Ayvazyan. Right hand misses for Ayvazyan. Left jab from Medeiros. Medeiros misses a right hand.
Round 2
Medeiros misses a left hand. Medeiros continues to come forward and stops an Ayvazyan takedown attempt early. Ayvazyan, however, lands a one-two. Ayvazyan catches him again. Left hand from Ayvazyan misses. Low kick from Ayvazyan. Left hand misses for Ayvazyan, and Medeiros misses a right. Ayvazyan misses an overhand right, but he lands another overhand. Low kick from Ayvazyan. Medeiros with a jab to the body. Both men exchange. Ayvazyan lands a left hand.
Ayvazyan shoots in, and Medeiros attempts to keep his balance. Ayvazyan manages to get to the back of Medeiros. Ayvazyan brings him down as Medeiros is warned by the referee for multiple fence grabs. Medeiros scrambles, but Ayvazyan remains on his back. The two are against the fence as Ayvazyan keeps his pressure. Ayvazyan scores another takedown, but Medeiros gets back up. Ayvazyan brings Medeiros down again. Medeiros gets up and tries to fight the hands, but it’s no use.
Round 3
Front kick from Ayvazyan. Low kick from Ayvazyan. Overhand right from Ayvazyan. Low kick from Ayvazyan. Medeiros comes forward flashing jabs, but it’s doing nothing. Ayvazyan lands a couple of more powerful straights. Medeiros looks for a body shot, but he misses. Ayvazyan showing power behind his punches. Right hand from Medeiros. Low kick from Ayvazyan.
Ayvazyan grabs a hold of the leg and he gets to Medeiros’s back again. Against the fence, Ayvazyan lifts Medeiros and lands another takedown. Medeiros gets up, but he cannot get out of Ayvazyan’s grasp. Medeiros finally gets free but he needs to get working. Medeiros looks to come forward, but Ayvazyan strikes on the back foot. One-two from Medeiros. Right hand from Ayvazyan. Ayvazyan with a level change and a single-leg attempt, bringing Medeiros to the fence. Ayvazyan lands one more takedown and stays on top until the closing seconds. Medeiros gets off one more kick before the fight ends.
Official #BellatorSanDiego Result: Jora Ayvazyan def. Yancy Medeiros via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).#BellatorSanDiego | LIVE NOW on @SportsonMAX pic.twitter.com/5BUjcTFjcf
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) September 8, 2024
OFFICIAL RESULT
Zhora Ayvazyan def. Yancy Medeiros via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)