Georgi Karakhanyan

Georgi Karakhanyan (born May 29, 1985) is a Russian-born Armenian-American former professional mixed martial artist and professional boxer who competed in the Lightweight division. A professional competitor since 2006, Karakhanyan has competed for the Bellator MMA, Absolute Championship Berkut, World Series of Fighting, DREAM, Tachi Palace Fights, and King of the Cage. Karakhanyan is also the former WSOF Featherweight Champion.

Background Georgi was born in Moscow to Armenian parents and raised in Moscow, Russia. He was introduced to martial arts by his father at the age of six (Georgi’s father has a black belt third dan in Shotokan Karate and he’s also a Sambo expert).

World Series of Fighting Karakhanyan competed on the main card in a fight against Waylon Lowe at World Series of Fighting 5 on September 14, 2013. He won the fight via submission in the first round.

In November 2013, it was announced that Karakhanyan would be fighting for the inaugural WSOF Featherweight Championship against Ricky Glenn at WSOF 7. But an injury to Glenn has forced him out of the title bout and replaced by undefeated featherweight Lance Palmer. Karakhanyan won the bout via submission in the third round to become WSOF's first featherweight champion.

Karakhanyan made the first defense of his title on June 21, 2014, at World Series of Fighting 10: Branch vs. Taylor against Ricky Glenn. Despite controlling most of the first round via submission attempts, Karakhanyan lost his title when he elected not to continue between the second and third round due to a rib injury.

Return to Bellator On September 30 Bellator announced that they have re-signed Karakhanyan to a multi-fight contract.

In his return, Karakhanyan faced Bubba Jenkins on January 16, 2015, at Bellator 132. He won the fight via technical submission in the first round. After the bout, Scott Coker announced that Karakhanyan would fight for the Featherweight title next.

Karakhanyan was expected to challenge Patrício Pitbull for his Bellator Featherweight Championship in a rematch on June 19, 2015, at Bellator 138. However, Karakhanyan pulled out of the fight due to a torn ACL and was replaced by Bellator Season Ten Featherweight tournament winner Daniel Weichel.

Karakhanyan faced Daniel Weichel on December 4, 2015, at Bellator 147. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

After losing two fights in a row, Karakhanyan faced Bubba Jenkins in a rematch at Bellator 160 on August 26, 2016. Jenkins was favored to win the rematch, but Karakhanyan won again, this time via knock out the first minute into the first round.

Karakhanyan made a quick return to the cage as he faced Kirill Medvedovsky at Bellator 164 on November 10, 2016. He won the fight via TKO due to an injury in the first round.

Karakhanyan faced Emmanuel Sanchez at Bellator 170 on January 21, 2017. He lost the fight via majority decision.

Karakhanyan faced Daniel Pineda at Bellator 182 on August 25, 2017. He won the fight via TKO due to a doctor stoppage on a cut Pineda had suffered in the second round.

Karakhanyan faced Henry Corrales at Bellator 192 on January 20, 2018. He lost the fight via unanimous decision and was subsequently released from the promotion.

Absolute Championship Berkut On March 7, 2018 ACB announced that they had signed Karakhanyan to a multi-fight contract. Karakhanyan won his promotional debut against Alexey Polpudnikov at ACB 86 via unanimous decision.

Karakhanyan faced Timur Nagibin at ACB 90 on November 10, 2018. In the first round, Karakhanyan locked a guillotine choke and claimed that Nagibin tapped to the choke just before the round's end. Karakhanyan released the choke when the referee intervened but at the time it was unclear whether it was due to the tap or the bell. Nevertheless, Nagibin hit Karakhanyan after the bell. Karakhanyan was clearly rocked and tried to wrestle his coach when he entered the cage. Due to the incident, Nagibin was disqualified immediately by officials. However, after the fight the promotion disqualified Karakhnanyan, blaming him to having faked being hurt and acted unsportsmanlike before the fight. Eventually, the bout was ruled as a no contest by the promotion. In Karakhanyan's response in social media, he claimed that the promotion officials encouraged him to trash talk even more as the fight was gaining attention. The promotion withheld Karakhanyan's win money and released him from his contract. He lost the bout by unanimous decision.

Next Karakhanyan faced A. J. McKee at Bellator 228 on September 28, 2019. He lost the fight via knockout in just eight seconds.

Karakhanyan replaced Ryan Scope on short notice at Bellator 240 on February 22, 2020, against Paul Redmond. Karakhanyan won the fight via second round submission.

Karakhanyan faced Myles Jury on August 7, 2020, at Bellator 243. He lost the fight via split decision.

Karakhanyan was expected to face Adam Piccolotti on May 21, 2021, at Bellator 259. However, Piccolotti pulled out due to injury.

Karakhanyan faced Kiefer Crosbie on July 31, 2021, at Bellator 263. He won the bout via arm-triangle choke in the first round.

Karakhanyan, as a replacement for Adam Piccolotti, faced Saul Rogers on September 18, 2021, at Bellator 266. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Karakhanyan faced Adam Piccolotti on February 19, 2022, at Bellator 274. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Karakhanyan faced Kane Mousah on September 23, 2022, at Bellator 285. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Boxing Georgi defeated Tatsuro Irie on May 5, 2012, in his promotional boxing debut at Welterweight.

Personal life Georgi has three children.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts Tachi Palace Fights TPF Featherweight Champion (One time) World Series of Fighting WSOF Featherweight Championship (One time)

Jiu Jitsu Grapplers Quest Grapplers Quest 2012 Men's No Gi Advanced 150 lb-159.9 lb Champion

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Kane Mousah Decision (unanimous) Bellator 285

Dublin, Ireland Loss

Adam Piccolotti Decision (unanimous) Bellator 274

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Loss

Saul Rogers Decision (unanimous) Bellator 266

San Jose, California, United States Win

Kiefer Crosbie Submission (arm-triangle choke) Bellator 263

Los Angeles, California, United States Win

Bryce Logan Decision (split) Bellator 251

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Loss

Myles Jury Decision (split) Bellator 243

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Paul Redmond Submission (guillotine choke) Bellator 240

Dublin, Ireland Loss

A. J. McKee KO (punches) Bellator 228

Inglewood, California, United States Loss

Emmanuel Sanchez Decision (unanimous) Bellator 218

Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States NC

Timur Nagibin NC (overturned by promotion) ACB 90: Vakhaev vs. Aliakbari

Moscow, Russia Win

Alexey Polpudnikov Decision (unanimous) ACB 86: Raisov vs. Balaev

Moscow, Russia Loss

Henry Corrales Decision (unanimous) Bellator 192

Inglewood, California, United States Win

Daniel Pineda TKO (doctor stoppage) Bellator 182

Verona, New York, United States Loss

Emmanuel Sanchez Decision (majority) Bellator 170

Inglewood, California, United States Win

Kirill Medvedovsky TKO (injury) Bellator 164

Tel Aviv, Israel Win

Bubba Jenkins KO (punch) Bellator 160

Anaheim, California, United States Loss

Pat Curran Decision (unanimous) Bellator 155

Boise, Idaho, United States Loss

Daniel Weichel Decision (unanimous) Bellator 147

San Jose, California, United States Win

Bubba Jenkins Technical Submission (guillotine choke) Bellator 132

Temecula, California, United States Loss

Ricky Glenn TKO (retirement) WSOF 10

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Lance Palmer Submission (guillotine choke) WSOF 7

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Win

Waylon Lowe Submission (guillotine choke) WSOF 5

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Din Thomas Decision (unanimous) Legacy FC 19

Dallas, Texas, United States Win

Hiroyuki Takaya Decision (split) DREAM 18

Saitama, Japan Win

Micah Miller Decision (unanimous) Tachi Palace Fights 14

Lemoore, California, United States Win

Aaron Mobley KO (punches) Gladiator Challenge: Star Wars

San Jacinto, California, United States Win

Isaac DeJesus Submission (triangle choke) TPF 11: Redemption

Lemoore, California, United States Win

Vince Ortiz Submission (rear-naked choke) BAMMA USA: Badbeat 2

Commerce, California, United States Win

Anthony Hayes Submission (triangle choke) Gladiator Challenge

San Jacinto, California, United States Loss

Patrício Pitbull TKO (punches) Bellator 37

Concho, Oklahoma, United States Win

Anthony Leone Decision (unanimous) Bellator 28

New Orleans, Louisiana, United States Loss

Joe Warren Decision (unanimous) Bellator 18

Monroe, Louisiana, United States Win

Bao Quach KO (knee) Bellator 13

Hollywood, Florida, United States Win

Albert Rios Decision (unanimous) Call to Arms 1

Ontario, California, United States Win

Justin Salazar Submission (armbar) Missouri Total Fighting 4

Grain Valley, Missouri, United States Win

James Pettus Submission (guillotine choke) Missouri Total Fighting 4

Grain Valley, Missouri, United States Win

Jeff Sanchez Submission (north-south choke) GC 85: Cross Fire

San Diego, California, United States Win

Jesse Miramontes Submission (rear-naked choke) Apocalypse Fights 2

Palm Springs, Florida, United States Win

Justin Salazar TKO (punches) True Fight Fans

Grain Valley, Missouri, United States Win

Daniel Perez Submission (kimura) Apocalypse Fights 1

Palm Springs, Florida, United States Win

Armando Sanchez Decision (unanimous) KOTC: Opposing Force

Highland, California, United States Loss

Chris David Decision (split) Gladiator Challenge 74: Evolution

Los Angeles, California, United States Win

Hildred Oliney Submission (rear-naked choke) WCO: Kerr vs. Gavin

Hollywood, California, United States Win

Bobby Merrill KO (flying knee and punches) EFWC: The Untamed

Anaheim, California, United States Win

Doug Dufur Submission (rear-naked choke) Galaxy Productions

California, United States Draw

Juan Carlos Huerta Draw KOTC: Epicenter

San Jacinto, California, United States Win

Brent Wooten Submission (guillotine choke) KOTC: BOOYAA

San Jacinto, California, United States Boxing record