MMA Best Fighter: Manny Gamburyan

Born as Manvel Gamburyan on May 8, 1981, Manny Gamburyan is currently ranked by Sherdog as No. 10 best featherweight MMA fighter. He was a cast member of Spike TV’s The Ultimate Fighter Season 5, and has fought for UFC and King of the Cage.

When his family relocated from Armenia to United States in 1991, Manny Gmaburyan started his training in Judo at Gokor Chivichyan and Gene LeBell’s Hayastan MMA Academy. Almost two years later, he won the junior nationals and became one of the best Judoka in the country.

Manny Gamburyan’s MMA career started in 1999 at the age of 17. He won his first four bouts, and suffered a decision loss against Sean Sherk in 2001 But because of the tenacity he showed in the fight, he was nicknamed “Pitbull” by his cousin — Karo Parisyan.

He came from a loss against Tyson Griffin last June, and he recently withdrew from his UFC 135 match against Diego Nunes due to shoulder injury. Manny Gamburyan stated last August that he expects to return to action before the year ends.