UFC News: Israel Adesanya claims that he has been keeping tabs on Edmen Shahbazyan's rise in the middleweight division

UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya is certainly at the top of his game right now and is also keeping tabs on all the happenings in the division, including division up and comer Edmen Shahbazyan.

Edmen Shahbazyan's rise in the UFC

Edmen Shahbazyan made his promotional debut at The Ulitmate Fighter 28 Finale against Darren Stewart in a fight that he won via split decision. Following his first win in the Octagon, Shahbazyan defeated Charles Brydd and Jack Marshman at UFC 235 and UFC 239, respectively,

Shahbazyan finished off both his opponents within the first round and that eventually set up a fight against Brad Tavares at the recent UFC 244 pay-per-view and the former once again managed to pick up another huge first-round KO finish via a head-kick.

Adesanya comments on Shahbazyan's rise in the UFC

While recently speaking with Joe Rogan on his JRE MME Show, Israel Adesanya spoke about the rise of Edmen Shahbazyan, as the former claimed that he was really impressed with The Golden Boy's last win over Brad Tavares.

Adesanya also added that he had watched Shahbazyan's win over Tavares and is certainly not taking the 22-year-old lightly, following his recent first-round finish. (H/T: MMA Junkie)

“I saw his fight. I didn’t know who he was until (my manager) told me. Then I rewatched his fight. He hit Brad Tavares with the head kick and that kind of got my attention, like, ‘Oh (expletive), who is this kid?’ At 185, he’s 22. He’s on the come-up. I played with Brad for five rounds. He starched him in one round. I’m not taking that lightly.”