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Manny Gamburyan
Born (1981-05-08) May 8, 1981 (age 43)
Leninakan, Armenian SSR, Soviet Union
Native name Մանվել Գամբուրյան
Other names The Pitbull, The Anvil
Nationality Armenian and American
Height 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Weight 136 lb (62 kg; 9.7 st)
Division Welterweight
Lightweight
Featherweight
Bantamweight
Reach 68 in (170 cm)
Fighting out of North Hollywood, California, U.S.
Team Team Hayastan
Glendale Fighting Club
S.K. Golden Boys
Rank      Second dan black belt in Judo
     Second dan black belt in Kyokushin Karate
     Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Years active 1999–2017
Mixed martial arts record
Total 26
Wins 15
By knockout 2
By submission 7
By decision 6
Losses 10
By knockout 4
By submission 1
By decision 5
No contests 1
Other information
Notable relatives Karo Parisyan, cousin

Manvel Gamburyan (Armenian: Մանվել Գամբուրյան; born May 8, 1981) is an Armenian mixed martial artist who has competed in the UFC's lightweight, featherweight, and bantamweight divisions. A professional competitor since 1999, he was a cast member of Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter 5, and also competed in World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) and King of the Cage (KOTC).

Background

In May 1991, Gamburyan's family relocated from Armenia to the United States. Shortly after his arrival, he began training in judo at Gokor Chivichyan and Gene LeBell's Hayastan MMA Academy, quickly becoming one of the top judokan in the country, winning junior nationals less than two years later. He went on to win junior nationals eight times, the junior Olympics once, and was a member of the 2000 Junior World Team. Later, Gamburyan also began training in Kyokushin Karate at age of 15.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Gamburyan began his career in mixed martial arts in 1999 at the age of 17. He won his first four fights, then lost a decision to future UFC Lightweight Champion Sean Sherk in 2001. Gamburyan's cousin Karo Parisyan nicknamed him "The Pitbull" for the tenacity he displayed in the fight.

The Ultimate Fighter

In 2007, Gamburyan appeared on the reality show The Ultimate Fighter 5, fighting on Jens Pulver's team. His nickname was changed to "Anvil" for his UFC career because "Pitbull" was already taken by other UFC fighters such as Andrei Arlovski and Thiago Alves.

Gamburyan defeated Noah Thomas by kimura lock in the preliminary round. In his next matchup, Gamburyan defeated Matt Wiman to advance to the semifinal round.

In the semifinal round, Gamburyan beat Joe Lauzon in a unanimous decision and advanced to the finale with Nate Diaz. He was considered an underdog in each of his fights, in part due to his short stature. After the Lauzon fight, UFC president Dana White personally apologized to Gamburyan for doubting him. In the finale, Gamburyan controlled Diaz for the majority of the fight, but was forced to tap out in the second round after dislocating his right shoulder on an unsuccessful takedown attempt. Although this technically counts as a submission due to injury, Gamburyan has never been submitted by an opponent in his MMA career.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Despite losing the show, Gamburyan secured a UFC contract with his performance. He won his next two UFC fights, defeating Nate Mohr at UFC 79 and Jeff Cox at UFC Fight Night 13.

He returned to action at UFC 87 and was knocked out in 12 seconds by Rob Emerson.

At UFC 94, Gamburyan lost to Thiago Tavares in a back and forth fight via unanimous decision (29-28, 29–28, 29–28).

World Extreme Cagefighting

After his loss to Tavares, Gamburyan decided to drop down to the featherweight division and fight in the Zuffa-owned WEC.

Gamburyan's first fight at featherweight was a decision win over John Franchi at WEC 41.

Gamburyan defeated Leonard Garcia on November 18, 2009, at WEC 44 via unanimous decision.

Gamburyan fought former WEC Featherweight Champion Mike Brown at WEC 48. He won by knockout in the first round as well as getting the Knockout of the Night bonus of $65,000.

Gamburyan lost via second-round KO to José Aldo in a bout for the WEC Featherweight Championship on September 30, 2010, at WEC 51.

UFC return

On October 28, 2010, World Extreme Cagefighting merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As part of the merger, all WEC fighters were transferred to the UFC.

Gamburyan was expected to face Raphael Assunção on March 19, 2011, at UFC 128, but was forced out of the bout with a back injury and replaced by Erik Koch.

Gamburyan next faced Tyson Griffin on June 26, 2011, at UFC on Versus 4. He lost the fight via majority decision.

Gamburyan was expected to face Diego Nunes on September 24, 2011, at UFC 135, but was forced to withdraw from the bout after suffering a shoulder injury. The bout ultimately took place at UFC 141 and Gamburyan lost via unanimous decision.

Gamburyan defeated Michihiro Omigawa via unanimous decision on August 4, 2012, at UFC on FOX 4.

Gamburyan was expected to face Chad Mendes on February 23, 2013, at UFC 157. However, Gamburyan was forced out of the bout with a thumb injury. Mendes was then pulled from the card as a suitable replacement could not be found on short notice.

Gamburyan was expected to face Hacran Dias on May 18, 2013, at UFC on FX 8. However, Gamburyan was forced to pull out of the bout citing another injury and was replaced by Nik Lentz.

Gamburyan faced Cole Miller on August 17, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 26. Gamburyan won the fight via unanimous decision.

Gamburyan faced Dennis Siver on December 28, 2013, at UFC 168. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. Subsequently, Siver failed a post fight doping screening. As a result, the decision was changed to a "No Contest".

Gamburyan faced Nik Lentz on May 10, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 40. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Gamburyan faced Cody Gibson in a bantamweight bout on September 27, 2014, at UFC 178. He won the fight via submission in the second round.

Gamburyan was expected to face Aljamain Sterling on April 18, 2015, at UFC on Fox 15. However, Gamburyan pulled out of the bout citing injury and was replaced by Takeya Mizugaki.

Gamburyan faced Scott Jorgensen on July 15, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 71. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Gamburyan next faced John Dodson on April 16, 2016, at UFC on Fox 19. Gamburyan lost the fight via TKO in the first round.

Gamburyan was expected to face Alejandro Pérez on September 17, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 94. However, Gamburyan pulled out of the fight in mid-August for undisclosed personal reasons and was replaced by Albert Morales.

Gamburyan lost to Johnny Eduardo on November 19, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 100 by 2nd-round TKO. Gamburyan then announced his retirement.

Less than two years into his retirement, Gamburyan appeared on Ariel and the Bad Guy Show and revealed he is returning from retirement and planning to enter competition in mid-2019.

Personal life

Gamburyan is also one of Ronda Rousey's main coaches. They met through judo/Hayastan MMA Academy.

Championships and accomplishments

  • Ultimate Fighting Championship
    • The Ultimate Fighter 5 Lightweight Runner-Up
  • World Extreme Cagefighting
    • Knockout of the Night (One time) vs. Mike Brown

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
26 matches 15 wins 10 losses
By knockout 2 4
By submission 7 1
By decision 6 5
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 15–10 (1) Johnny Eduardo TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Bader vs. Nogueira 2 November 19, 2016 2 0:46 São Paulo, Brazil
Loss 15–9 (1) John Dodson TKO (punches) UFC on Fox: Teixeira vs. Evans April 16, 2016 1 0:37 Tampa, Florida, United States
Win 15–8 (1) Scott Jorgensen Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Mir vs. Duffee July 15, 2015 3 5:00 San Diego, California, United States
Win 14–8 (1) Cody Gibson Submission (guillotine choke) UFC 178 September 27, 2014 2 4:56 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Bantamweight debut.
Loss 13–8 (1) Nik Lentz Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Brown vs. Silva May 10, 2014 3 5:00 Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
NC 13–7 (1) Dennis Siver NC (overturned) UFC 168 December 28, 2013 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Originally a unanimous decision win for Siver; overturned after he tested positive for hCG.
Win 13–7 Cole Miller Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Sonnen August 17, 2013 3 5:00 Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Win 12–7 Michihiro Omigawa Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Shogun vs. Vera August 4, 2012 3 5:00 Los Angeles, California, United States
Loss 11–7 Diego Nunes Decision (unanimous) UFC 141 December 30, 2011 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 11–6 Tyson Griffin Decision (majority) UFC Live: Kongo vs. Barry June 26, 2011 3 5:00 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Loss 11–5 José Aldo KO (punches) WEC 51 September 30, 2010 2 1:32 Broomfield, Colorado, United States For the WEC Featherweight Championship.
Win 11–4 Mike Brown KO (punches) WEC 48 April 24, 2010 1 2:22 Sacramento, California, United States Knockout of the Night.
Win 10–4 Leonard Garcia Decision (unanimous) WEC 44 November 18, 2009 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 9–4 John Franchi Decision (unanimous) WEC 41 June 7, 2009 3 5:00 Sacramento, California, United States Featherweight debut.
Loss 8–4 Thiago Tavares Decision (unanimous) UFC 94 January 31, 2009 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 8–3 Rob Emerson KO (punches) UFC 87 August 9, 2008 1 0:12 Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Win 8–2 Jeff Cox Submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Florian vs. Lauzon March 2, 2008 1 1:41 Broomfield, Colorado, United States
Win 7–2 Nate Mohr Submission (achilles lock) UFC 79 December 29, 2007 1 1:31 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 6–2 Nate Diaz Submission (shoulder injury) The Ultimate Fighter 5 Finale June 23, 2007 2 0:20 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States The Ultimate Fighter 5 Lightweight Tournament final.
Win 6–1 Sammy Morgan Decision (unanimous) RSF: Shooto Challenge 2 January 2, 2004 3 5:00 Belleville, Illinois, United States
Win 5–1 Jorge Santiago KO (punch) KOTC 27: Aftermath August 10, 2003 1 0:21 San Jacinto, California, United States
Loss 4–1 Sean Sherk Decision (unanimous) Reality Submission Fighting 3 March 30, 2001 1 18:00 Belleville, Illinois, United States
Win 4–0 Pat Benson Submission (guillotine choke) Reality Submission Fighting 2 January 2, 2001 1 2:01 Belleville, Illinois, United States
Win 3–0 Darren Bryant Submission (heel hook) Kage Kombat 14 March 5, 1999 1 0:35 Los Angeles, California, United States
Win 2–0 Timothy Morris Technical Submission (choke) Kage Kombat 12 February 1, 1999 1 0:16 Los Angeles, California, United States
Win 1–0 Danny Henderson Submission (armbar) Kage Kombat 12 February 1, 1999 1 0:17 Los Angeles, California, United States

Mixed martial arts exhibition record

Professional record breakdown
3 matches 3 wins 0 losses
By knockout 0 0
By submission 1 0
By decision 2 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 3–0 Joe Lauzon Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter 5 June 14, 2007 (air date) 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Semi-finals.
Win 2–0 Matt Wiman Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter 5 June 7, 2007 (air date) 2 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Quarter-finals.
Win 1–0 Noah Thomas Submission (kimura) The Ultimate Fighter 5 April 12, 2007 (air date) 1 2:10 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Elimination round.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Manvel Gamburyan para niños

  • List of male mixed martial artists
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