Georgy Karakhanyan: Russian fighter MMA

Georgy Karakhanyan is a fighter of a mixed style with a very interesting destiny. He studied at the football school "Barcelona", played in the highest football league in the United States for "San Diego", but as a result began to fight in the cage. The athlete performs in featherweight, specializes in jujitsu and karate and is recognized as a dangerous opponent for any fighter.

An unsuccessful football player

Georgi Karakhanyan was born in Moscow in 1985 in an Armenian family. His father was engaged in business and was a wealthy man. Having a karate belt, he shared his love for the sport with his son, and he successfully practiced martial arts, having already participated in the first competitions since the age of eight.

However, the World Cup in 1994 completely reversed the consciousness of Georgi Karakhanyan. Under the impression of Hadji, Romario and Baggio, he categorically declared that he sees himself only in football. Karakhanyan was involved in football schools "Torpedo" and "Spartacus." After the family moved to Spain, he had the honor to study at the academy itself "Barcelona".

Georgy Karakhanyan showed good results. Eventually, after all the trips of his family, he found himself in the United States, where he signed a contract with the San Diego football club, which occupied the top lines of the tournament table of the national championship.

However, football is not the most popular sport in the US, and the guy decided for himself that with great success he will be able to realize himself in an individual sport.

Start at the MMA

The former footballer returned to the point from which he started - to martial arts. It all started with training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Georgy Karakhanyan spent half a year diligently working for the fighters of the mixed style of single combat and had not yet thought about serious fights. One day, one of the athletes declared for the competition, was injured, and the club's coach Dambar invited the newcomer to try his hand at the tournament match.

The Armenian did not refuse the call and went into the cage, having in his arsenal only one really learned trick. His opponent was an experienced veteran Brent Wooten, and no one expected that a newcomer, who had recently played football, would be able to give the experienced fighter at least some resistance. However, Georgi Karakhanyan was magnificent: in the second minute of the fight he skillfully used the "guillotine" against Wohnten - the only method he had managed to learn. The rival surrendered, and the Armenian-Russian fighter won his first victory in battles of mixed style.

"Insane"

The fight against Brent Wooden became fatal in the life of Georgy Karakhanyan. After that, he drew the attention of serious organizations engaged in fighting mixed style, and began to regularly participate in fights. For the first few years the Armenian fighter participated in second-rate promotions tournaments, fighting against not the most famous athletes.

However, the battles of Georgi Karakhanyan always passed brightly and spectacularly. Owning the skills of karate from childhood, he works perfectly in the rack, throwing dangerous punches with his feet. Jiu-Jitsu classes gave him fighting skills, and against any contender Georgi Karakhanyan feels confident in the most extreme situations.

From the period 2006-2009, it is possible to note fights against Justin Salazar. Twice he met with a dangerous fighter and both times won the victory. In the first battle, he achieved the advantage in the rack, crushing the opponent with blows, and in a second duel he used the lever of the elbow, forcing him to ask for mercy.

Almost all of his fights George Karakhanyan finished early, and only once was defeated by Chris David by a separate decision.

For his vivid and unconventional fighting style and uninhibited behavior in the ring with rivals, coaches, Georgy Karakhanyan received the nickname "Madman" from the fans.

Going to Bellator

The next stage in the development of George was his transition to Bellator in 2010 - one of the most authoritative organizations in combats of mixed style. Here he got the opportunity to fight with the most serious rivals.

The debut at Bellator turned out to be successful, already in the first battle Karakhanyan defeated Bao Kuch, crushing him with a knee blow. However, the resistance level of opponents here was much higher, and he lost to experienced Joe Warren in the second match of Bellator, losing in accordance with the decision of the judges.

Soon he lost his fight prematurely for the first time in his life. Patricio Freire from the very first seconds went into a furious attack, and Karahanyan could not oppose his onslaught. The bout ended prematurely - on the first minute by TKO.

After this defeat, George for a time left Bellator and focused on the duels of other organizations, issuing a bright series of victories. Along the way, he became a featherweight champion in the WSOF version, having beaten Lance Palmer with a stifling reception.

In 2014, Georgi Karakhanyan failed to defend his title, losing to Rick Glen, and then returned to Bellator.

Since then, the fighter has had six fights, having scored an equal number of victories and defeats. The last fight, he lost in 2017 Manuel Sanchez, a judicial decision.