Blagoy Ivanov was the 2008 Combat Sambo World Champion and the former World Series of Fighting Heavyweight champion.
25 Facts About Blagoy Ivanov
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Blagoy Ivanov competed in the 2003 Balkan Junior Championships and placed first.
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Blagoy Ivanov then continued in competition up to the European Championships level but only placed 7th in the 2007 U23 Tournament, and did not make an attempt to represent Bulgaria in the 2008 Olympic games.
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Blagoy Ivanov chose to enter into a career in mixed martial arts as opposed to representing Bulgaria in the 2012 Olympic Games.
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Blagoy Ivanov notably defeated four-time World Combat Sambo Champion and mixed-martial arts fighter Fedor Emelianenko in the semi-finals of the 2008 World Sambo Championships on November 16,2008.
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Blagoy Ivanov's first fight took place at Sengoku 9 where he defeated Pride FC veteran, Kazuyuki Fujita by split decision, breaking both hands in the process.
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On March 15,2011, Blagoy Ivanov announced that he had signed a deal to fight for Bellator.
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Blagoy Ivanov debuted on March 26,2011, at Bellator 38 against William Penn and won via first-round TKO.
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The 2008 Combat Sambo World Champion Blagoy Ivanov used superior boxing technique, speed, and accuracy to bloody the face, Jensen, in round one.
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On 24 Dec 2011, Blagoy Ivanov defeated Ricco Rodriguez in the third round via TKO with a kick to the upper body that some felt hit Rodriguez's head, as he was still getting up from his knees.
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Blagoy Ivanov returned to MMA competition after a 21-month absence due to injuries sustained in a bar fight and fought Manny Lara on September 13,2013 at Bellator 99.
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Blagoy Ivanov next fought on November 22,2013, at Bellator 109 and faced Keith Bell.
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Blagoy Ivanov faced Rich Hale in the opening round of the Bellator Season 10 Heavyweight tournament at Bellator 111 on March 7,2014.
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Blagoy Ivanov faced Lavar Johnson in the semifinals at Bellator 116 on April 11,2014 and won via submission in the first round.
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Blagoy Ivanov faced Alexander Volkov in the tournament final on May 17,2014 at Bellator 120.
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On January 24,2015 it was announced that Blagoy Ivanov signed with WSOF.
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Blagoy Ivanov made his first title defense against Derrick Mehmen at WSOF 24 on October 17,2015.
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Blagoy Ivanov faced Derrick Lewis on November 2,2019 at UFC 244.
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Blagoy Ivanov was scheduled to face Augusto Sakai on May 9,2020 at UFC 250.
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Blagoy Ivanov was expected to face Marcin Tybura on March 27,2021 at UFC 260.
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Blagoy Ivanov faced Marcos Rogerio de Lima on May 7,2022 at UFC 274.
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Blagoy Ivanov faced Marcin Tybura on February 4,2023 at UFC Fight Night 218.
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On March 5,2012, Blagoy Ivanov was reported to be in stable condition, having regained consciousness over the weekend.
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Around May 12,2012, Blagoy Ivanov regained the ability to talk and gave a brief press conference on the 19th in the hospital.
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Blagoy Ivanov made his MMA return in September 2013 and won his next four fights.