Akop Stepanyan (russian: Акоп Степанян, hy, Հակոբ Ստեփանյան; born May 6, 1986) is a Russian

mixed martial artist Mixed martial arts (MMA), sometimes referred to as cage fighting, no holds barred (NHB), and ultimate fighting, and originally referred to as Vale Tudo is a full-contact combat sport based on striking, grappling and ground fighting, incorp ...

of Armenian heritage who competed in the

featherweight Featherweight is a weight class in the combat sports of boxing, kickboxing, mixed martial arts, and Greco-Roman wrestling. Boxing Professional boxing History A featherweight boxer weighs in at a limit of . In the early days of the division, this ...

and

lightweight Lightweight is a weight class in combat sports and rowing. Boxing Professional boxing The lightweight division is over 130 pounds (59 kilograms) and up to 135 pounds (61.2 kilograms) weight class in the sport of boxing. Notable lightweight boxe ...

divisions of

Bellator Fighting Championships Bellator MMA (formerly Bellator Fighting Championships) is an American mixed martial arts promotion founded in 2008 and based in Santa Monica, California, owned and operated as a subsidiary of television and media conglomerate Paramount Global. ...

and

Absolute Championship Berkut Absolute Championship Akhmat (ACA), formerly known as Absolute Championship Berkut (ACB), is a Russian mixed martial arts, kickboxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu organization and one of the leading promotions in Europe. To date, most events have been ...

Mixed martial arts career

M-1 Global

Stepanyan lost via submission (armbar) to Zagalav Mahachev at M-1 Challenge - 2009 Selections 2 in the first round.

Post-M-1 Global

Stepanyan lost via unanimous decision (30–28, 29–28, 29–28) to Djamal Kurbanov at FEFoMP - Vladivostok Pankration Open Cup 2009 on April 25, 2009.

Return to M-1 Global

Stepanyan lost via submission (rear-naked choke) to Magomed Magomedov at M-1 Challenge - 2009 Selections 5 in the first round. Stepanyan was released from the M-1 after going 0-2 in the promotion.

Bellator MMA

In July, Stepanyan signed in Bellator. Stepanyan was then entered into the season seven featherweight tournament. His quarterfinal opponent was

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ; pt, jiu-jitsu brasileiro ) is a self-defence martial art and combat sport based on grappling, ground fighting (ne-waza) and submission holds. BJJ focuses on the skill of taking an opponent to the ground, control ...

black belt

Wagnney Fabiano Wagnney Silva Fabiano-Santos (born July 14, 1975) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist. He is best known for fighting in the WEC, as well as for the Toronto Dragons of the International Fight League and is the former IFL Featherweight Champion. ...

Bellator 76 2012 in Bellator MMA was the sixth installment of the Bellator Fighting Championships, which began on March 9, 2012. The sixth season of Bellator was originally scheduled to begin on March 2, 2012. However, the debut was pushed back a week so ...

. He lost the bout via first round armbar submission. Stepanyan next faced former

Sengoku The was a period in Japanese history of near-constant civil war and social upheaval from 1467 to 1615. The Sengoku period was initiated by the Ōnin War in 1467 which collapsed the feudal system of Japan under the Ashikaga shogunate. Various s ...

Featherweight Champion

Marlon Sandro Marlon Sandro (born March 8, 1977) is a retired Brazilian mixed martial artist. He has competed for Bellator, Pancrase, Shooto, and World Victory Road. He is the former King of Pancrase Featherweight Champion and former Sengoku Featherweight C ...

in season eight featherweight tournament on February 7, 2013 at

Bellator 88 2013 in Bellator MMA was the eighth installment of the Bellator MMA, which began on January 17, 2013 and ended on April 4, 2013. Mixed martial arts tournaments were held in five weight classes and all of the champions, except the heavyweight ch ...

. He lost the fight via controversial majority decision. Stepanyan faced Chris Saunders on March 7, 2013 at

Bellator 92 2013 in Bellator MMA was the eighth installment of the Bellator MMA, which began on January 17, 2013 and ended on April 4, 2013. Mixed martial arts tournaments were held in five weight classes and all of the champions, except the heavyweight ch ...

. He won the fight via TKO in the third round. Stepanyan was expected to face

Shahbulat Shamhalaev Shahbulat Shamhalaev (russian: Шахбулат Шамхалаев; born August 27, 1983) is a Russian retired mixed martial artist and kickboxer of Dargin heritage. He competed in the featherweight division for the Bellator Fighting Champions ...

on September 13, 2013 at

Bellator 99 2013 in Bellator MMA was the eighth installment of the Bellator MMA, which began on January 17, 2013 and ended on April 4, 2013. Mixed martial arts tournaments were held in five Mixed martial arts weight classes, weight classes and all of the ch ...

. However, Shamhalaev withdrew from the tournament and was replaced by Justin Wilcox. Stepanyan dominated the first round, but was stopped by a rear naked choke submission in the second round. Stepanyan faced

Mike Richman Michael Richman (born June 23, 1985) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the Lightweight division of the Legacy Fighting Alliance. A professional competitor in mixed martial arts since 2008, Richman has competed for Bella ...

Bellator 106 2013 in Bellator MMA was the eighth installment of the Bellator MMA, which began on January 17, 2013 and ended on April 4, 2013. Mixed martial arts tournaments were held in five weight classes and all of the champions, except the heavyweight cha ...

on November 2, 2013. Stepanyan had Richman in trouble early in the fight, but lost in the first round via TKO.

League S-70

After Bellator dismissal Akop Stepanyan faced ex-UFC fighter

Andre Winner Andre Badi Winner (born 9 November 1981) is a Grenadian-born English mixed martial artist. He was a cast member of Spike TV's '' The Ultimate Fighter: United States vs. United Kingdom'', reaching the final. Winner is also a member of Team Rough ...

. He won via unanimous decision.

Absolute Championship Berkut

Stepanyan signed a four-fight deal with the ACB in February, 2017. Stepanyan faced Mukhamed Kokov on April 15, 2017 at ACB 57: Payback. He lost the fight via submission in the third round. Stepanyan faced Felipe Cruz on June 17, 2017 at ACB 62. He won the fight via knockout in the first round.

Championships and accomplishments

ARG (Army Hand-to-Hand Combat)

*Russian Union of Martial Arts **Russian National Champion of Army Hand-to-Hand Combat

Kickboxing

*Kick-Boxing Federation of Russia **Russian National Champion **Silver Medalist European Championship 2004

Taekwondo

*Taekwondo Union of Russia **Russian National Champion 2002

Mixed martial arts record

, - , Loss , align=center, , Shamil Gasanov , Submission (guillotine choke) , ProFC 69 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:40 ,

Rostov-on-Don Rostov-on-Don ( rus, Ростов-на-Дону, r=Rostov-na-Donu, p=rɐˈstof nə dɐˈnu) is a port city and the administrative centre of Rostov Oblast and the Southern Federal District of Russia. It lies in the southeastern part of the East Eu ...

, Russia , , - , Loss , align=center, , Roman Silagadze , Submission (arm-triangle choke) , AMC Fight Nights Global 100 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 4:44 ,

Moscow Moscow ( , US chiefly ; rus, links=no, Москва, r=Moskva, p=mɐskˈva, a=Москва.ogg) is the capital and largest city of Russia. The city stands on the Moskva River in Central Russia, with a population estimated at 13.0 million ...

, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 27–11 (1) , Mikhail Gogitidze , TKO (punches) , AMC Fight Nights Global 99 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 0:59 ,

, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 26–11 (1) , Shahin Najafi , TKO (punches) , GFC 22 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 1:35 ,

Krasnodar Krasnodar (; rus, Краснода́р, p=krəsnɐˈdar; ady, Краснодар), formerly Yekaterinodar (until 1920), is the largest city and the administrative centre of Krasnodar Krai, Russia. The city stands on the Kuban River in southern ...

, Russia , , - , NC , align=center, 25–11 (1) , Elnur Agaev , Injury (doctors stoppage) , MFP 226 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:07 ,

Khabarovsk Khabarovsk ( rus, Хабaровск, a=Хабаровск.ogg, r=Habárovsk, p=xɐˈbarəfsk) is the largest types of inhabited localities in Russia, city and the administrative centre of Khabarovsk Krai, Russia,Law #109 located from the China ...

, Russia , , - , Loss , align=center, 25–11 , Magomed Sulumov , Decision (unanimous) , ACB 89: Aguev vs. Townsend , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Russia , , - , Loss , align=center, 25–10 , Andrew Fisher , TKO (injury) , ACB 74: Aguev vs. Townsend , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 1:01 ,

Vienna en, Viennese , iso_code = AT-9 , registration_plate = W , postal_code_type = Postal code , postal_code = , timezone = CET , utc_offset = +1 , timezone_DST ...

, Austria , , - , Win , align=center, 25–9 , Felipe Cruz , KO (spinning heel kick) , ACB 62: Stepanyan vs. Cruz , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:38 ,

, Russia , , - , Loss , align=center, 24–9 , Mukhamed Kokov , Submission (kimura) , ACB 57: Payback , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 0:51 ,

, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 24–8 , Thiago Meller , Decision (split) , League S-70: Plotforma 7th , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Sochi Sochi ( rus, Со́чи, p=ˈsotɕɪ, a=Ru-Сочи.ogg) is the largest resort city in Russia. The city is situated on the Sochi River, along the Black Sea in Southern Russia, with a population of 466,078 residents, up to 600,000 residents in ...

, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 23–8 , Will Chope , Decision (split) , Abu Dhabi Warriors 4 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 , Abu Dhabi,

United Arab Emirates The United Arab Emirates (UAE; ar, اَلْإِمَارَات الْعَرَبِيَة الْمُتَحِدَة ), or simply the Emirates ( ar, الِْإمَارَات ), is a country in Western Asia (The Middle East). It is located at th ...

, , - , Loss , align=center, 22–8 ,

Vener Galiev Vener Zaynullovich Galiev (russian: Венер Зайнуллович Галиев; ba, Ғәлиев Венер Зәйнулла улы) born 1 July 1975) is a Bashkir born-Russian amateur wrestler, sambist and mixed martial artist. He ...

, Submission (rear-naked choke) , Fight Nights Global 45: Galiev vs. Stepanyan , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 3:16 ,

Ufa Ufa ( ba, Өфө , Öfö; russian: Уфа́, r=Ufá, p=ʊˈfa) is the largest city and capital of Bashkortostan, Russia. The city lies at the confluence of the Belaya and Ufa rivers, in the centre-north of Bashkortostan, on hills forming the ...

, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 22–7 , Leonardo Laiola , TKO (punches) , Octagon Fighting Sensation 6: Best of the Best , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:59 ,

, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 21–7 , Sung Jo Jong , KO (punches) , MFP: Cup of the Sakhalin Administration Head 2015 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:11 ,

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk ( rus, Ю́жно-Сахали́нск, a=Ru-Южно-Сахалинск.ogg, p=ˈjuʐnə səxɐˈlʲinsk, literally "South Sakhalin City") is a city on Sakhalin island, and the administrative center of Sakhalin Oblast, Russia. I ...

, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 20–7 ,

, Decision (unanimous) , League S-70: Russia vs. World , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Krasnodar krai Krasnodar Krai (russian: Краснода́рский край, r=Krasnodarsky kray, p=krəsnɐˈdarskʲɪj kraj) is a federal subject of Russia (a krai), located in the North Caucasus region in Southern Russia and administratively a part of t ...

, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 19–7 , Helson Henriques , Decision (unanimous) , FEFoMP: Mayor's Cup 2015 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 18–7 , Mohamed Hassan Badawy , TKO (punches) , Octagon Fighting Sensation 4: Challenge the Best , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 4:19 ,

Yaroslavl Yaroslavl ( rus, Ярослáвль, p=jɪrɐˈsɫavlʲ) is a city and the administrative center of Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia, located northeast of Moscow. The historic part of the city is a World Heritage Site, and is located at the confluence ...

, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 17–7 , Clayton Henriques , Decision (unanimous) , FEFoMP: Pankration & Fight Nights 2 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Vladivostok Vladivostok ( rus, Владивосто́к, a=Владивосток.ogg, p=vɫədʲɪvɐˈstok) is the largest city and the administrative center of Primorsky Krai, Russia. The city is located around the Zolotoy Rog, Golden Horn Bay on the Sea ...

, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 16–7 , Eddie Yagin , KO (head kick) , FEFoMP: Russia's MMA Supercup , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 4:44 ,

, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 15–7 , Mikhail Kislica , TKO (body punch) , ProFC 56: Baltic Challenge 6 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:41 ,

Kaliningrad Kaliningrad ( ; rus, Калининград, p=kəlʲɪnʲɪnˈɡrat, links=y), until 1946 known as Königsberg (; rus, Кёнигсберг, Kyonigsberg, ˈkʲɵnʲɪɡzbɛrk; rus, Короле́вец, Korolevets), is the largest city and ...

, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 14–7 , Anatoli Angielovskyi , TKO (spinning back kick and punches) , OFS - Octogan Fighting Sensation 2 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:47 ,

, Russia , , - , Loss , align=center, 13–7 ,

, TKO (punches) ,

, , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:05 ,

Long Beach, California Long Beach is a city in Los Angeles County, California. It is the 42nd-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 466,742 as of 2020. A charter city, Long Beach is the seventh-most populous city in California. Incorporate ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 13–6 , Justin Wilcox , Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) ,

, , align=center, 2 , align=center, 2:20 ,

Temecula, California Temecula (; es, Temécula, ; Luiseño: ''Temeekunga'') is a city in southwestern Riverside County, California, United States. The city had a population of 110,003 as of the 2020 census and was incorporated on December 1, 1989. The city is a t ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 13–5 , Chris Saunders , TKO (body kick and punches) ,

, , align=center, 3 , align=center, 3:55 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 12–5 ,

, Decision (majority) ,

, , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Duluth, Georgia Duluth is a city in Gwinnett County, Georgia, Gwinnett County, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia, United States. Located north of Interstate 85, it is approximately northeast of Atlanta. As of the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census, Duluth had a ...

, United States , Bellator Season 8 Featherweight Tournament Quarterfinal. , - , Loss , align=center, 12–4 ,

, Submission (armbar) ,

, , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:24 ,

Windsor, Ontario Windsor is a city in southwestern Ontario, Canada, on the south bank of the Detroit River directly across from Detroit, Michigan, United States. Geographically located within but administratively independent of Essex County, it is the souther ...

, Canada , Bellator Season 7 Featherweight Tournament Quarterfinal. Return to Featherweight. , - , Win , align=center, 12–3 , Akhmet Aliev , KO (punch) , League S-70: Russian Championship Finals , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:11 ,

Krasnodar Krai Krasnodar Krai (russian: Краснода́рский край, r=Krasnodarsky kray, p=krəsnɐˈdarskʲɪj kraj) is a federal subject of Russia (a krai), located in the North Caucasus region in Southern Russia and administratively a part of t ...

, Russia , S-70 2012 Russian Lightweight Tournament Final. , - , Win , align=center, 11–3 , Anatoliy Pokrovsky , TKO (body kick) , League S-70: Russian Championship Semifinals , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 1:50 ,

Moscow Oblast Moscow Oblast ( rus, Моско́вская о́бласть, r=Moskovskaya oblast', p=mɐˈskofskəjə ˈobləsʲtʲ), or Podmoskovye ( rus, Подмоско́вье, p=pədmɐˈskovʲjə, literally "under Moscow"), is a federal subject of Rus ...

, Russia , S-70 2012 Russian Lightweight Tournament Semifinal. , - , Win , align=center, 10–3 , Antti Virtanen , Submission (guillotine choke) , Lappeenranta Fight Night 7 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:53 ,

Lappeenranta Lappeenranta (; sv, Villmanstrand) is a city and municipality in the region of South Karelia, about from the Russian border and from the town of Vyborg (''Viipuri''). It is situated on the shore of the Lake Saimaa in southeastern Finland, and ...

South Karelia South Karelia ( fi, Etelä-Karjala; sv, Södra Karelen) is a Regions of Finland, region of Finland. It borders the regions of Kymenlaakso, Southern Savonia, South Savo and North Karelia, as well as Russia (Republic of Karelia and Leningrad Obla ...

, Finland , , - , Win , align=center, 9–3 , Yevgeniy Lakhin , TKO (body punch) , League S-70: Russian Championship Second Round , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 3:19 ,

Omsk Omsk (; rus, Омск, p=omsk) is the administrative center and largest city of Omsk Oblast, Russia. It is situated in southwestern Siberia, and has a population of over 1.1 million. Omsk is the third largest city in Siberia after Novosibirsk ...

Omsk Oblast Omsk Oblast (russian: О́мская о́бласть, ''Omskaya oblast'') is a federal subject of Russia (an oblast), located in southwestern Siberia. The oblast has an area of . Its population is 1,977,665 ( 2010 Census) with the majority, 1.12 ...

, Russia , S-70 2012 Russian Lightweight Tournament Second Round. , - , Win , align=center, 8–3 , Dmitriy Ushkanov , Decision (split) , FEFoMP - Battle of Empires , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Khabarovsk Krai Khabarovsk Krai ( rus, Хабаровский край, r=Khabarovsky kray, p=xɐˈbarəfskʲɪj kraj) is a federal subject (a krai) of Russia. It is geographically located in the Russian Far East and is a part of the Far Eastern Federal District ...

, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 7–3 , Babyrbek Samiev , Submission (guillotine choke) , FWR - Fights With Rules 3 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:35 ,

Republic of Bashkortostan The Republic of Bashkortostan or Bashkortostan ( ba, Башҡортостан Республикаһы, Bashqortostan Respublikahy; russian: Республика Башкортостан, Respublika Bashkortostan),; russian: Респу́блик� ...

, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 6–3 , Atchin Chaoshen Ne , Decision (unanimous) , FEFoMP - Mayor's Cup 2011 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 5–3 , Aleksey Ershik , Decision (unanimous) , FEFoMP - Amur Challenge , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Blagoveshchensk Blagoveshchensk ( rus, Благове́щенск, p=bləgɐˈvʲeɕːɪnsk, meaning ''City of the Annunciation'') is a city and the administrative center of Amur Oblast, Russia. It is located at the confluence of the Amur and the Zeya Rivers, opp ...

Amur Oblast Amur Oblast ( rus, Аму́рская о́бласть, r=Amurskaya oblast, p=ɐˈmurskəjə ˈobləsʲtʲ) is a federal subject of Russia (an oblast), located on the banks of the Amur and Zeya Rivers in the Russian Far East. The administrative ...

, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 4–3 , Mikhail Drinovski , Decision (unanimous) , Northwestern League of Combat Sambo: Tournament in Memory of Private Korzun , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Saint Petersburg Saint Petersburg ( rus, links=no, Санкт-Петербург, a=Ru-Sankt Peterburg Leningrad Petrograd Piter.ogg, r=Sankt-Peterburg, p=ˈsankt pʲɪtʲɪrˈburk), formerly known as Petrograd (1914–1924) and later Leningrad (1924–1991), i ...

Leningrad Oblast Leningrad Oblast ( rus, Ленинградская область, Leningradskaya oblast’, lʲɪnʲɪnˈgratskəjə ˈobləsʲtʲ, , ) is a federal subjects of Russia, federal subject of Russia (an oblast). It was established on 1 August 1927, a ...

, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 3–3 , Kazbek Magomedov , TKO (punches) , Northwestern League of Combat Sambo - Tournament in Memory of Partisan German , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:24 ,

, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 2–3 , Andrei Shpota , KO (punch) , ProFC - Union Nation Cup 5 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:42 ,

Nalchik Nalchik (russian: Нальчик, p=ˈnalʲtɕɪk; Kabardian: //; krc, Нальчик //) is the capital city of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, Russia, situated at an altitude of in the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains; about northwe ...

Kabardino-Balkar Republic The Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (russian: Кабарди́но-Балка́рская Респу́блика, ''Kabardino-Balkarskaya Respublika''; kbd, Къэбэрдей-Балъкъэр Республикэ, ''Ķêbêrdej-Baĺķêr Respublik� ...

, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 1–3 , Djamal Kurbanov , KO (wheel kick) , FEFoMP - Mayor's Cup in Pankration , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 1:09 ,

Primorsky Krai Primorsky Krai (russian: Приморский край, r=Primorsky kray, p=prʲɪˈmorskʲɪj kraj), informally known as Primorye (, ), is a federal subject (a krai) of Russia, located in the Far East region of the country and is a part of the ...

, Russia , , - , Loss , align=center, 0–3 , Magomed Magomedov , Submission (rear-naked choke) , M-1 Challenge: 2009 Selections 5 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:30 ,

, Russia , , - , Loss , align=center, 0–2 , Djamal Kurbanov , Decision (unanimous) , FEFoMP - Vladivostok Pankration Open Cup 2009 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Russia , , - , Loss , align=center, 0–1 , Zagalav Mahachev , Submission (armbar) , M-1 Challenge: 2009 Selections 2 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:55 ,

, Russia ,

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Stepanyan, Akop Living people 1986 births Russian people of Armenian descent Russian male mixed martial artists Russian male taekwondo practitioners Sportspeople from Yerevan Armenian male mixed martial artists Armenian male taekwondo practitioners Mixed martial artists utilizing taekwondo Mixed martial artists utilizing boxing Mixed martial artists utilizing ARB