(PRESS RELEASE) -- Fighting out of Team Link in Massachusetts, Armenian Ultimate Fighter
Season 8 Alum
Karen Grigoryan made quick work of previously undefeated BJJ
Black Belt
Daniel Rial at War in the Woods 5. With his aggressive
striking, Grigoryan capitalized early and notched his second win since his
appearance on The Ultimate Fighter, bringing his record to 7-0 and new
life to his dream of fighting in the UFC.
"I trained very hard for this fight and at the last minute my coach told
me that my opponent dropped and they were offering a very tough
replacement," said Grigoryan. "[
Daniel Rial is] a BJJ Black Belt from
Brazilian Top Team and a Brazilian national wrestling champion and he came
in with a 3-0 record in MMA."
His opponent's perfect record and strong grappling background presented
fewer problems than Grigoryan had expected.
"I was very well trained and did not think twice taking the fight. I was
thinking that the fight would be longer but I delivered a couple of
combinations that ended with a big right hand and finished the fight in a
little over a minute."
Following the win Grigoryan took the time to discuss his experience on The
Ultimate Fighter Season 8, and how a quick departure from the house has
given him extra motivation.
"This year I had my dream coming true when I went to The Ultimate Fighter
Season 8, but unfortunately I left the house because I had problem with my
nose following my victory over
Eliot Marshall. Some people considered the
result controversial, but I've taken care of my nose and got cleared to
fight and had two fights already, winning both in less then three minutes.
I am working very hard and hoping to have another chance to prove that I
belong in the UFC," said Grigoryan.
Recent winner at UFC 91,
Gabriel Gonzaga was in the corner of Grigoryan
and was very happy with his pupil.
"Karen is a bull, this guy has so much potential and is training everyday
and he believes that his time is now. He is my main training partner and
we are both helping each other. I really hope Joe Silva brings him back,"
said Gonzaga.
Also impressive was Team Link's
Chris Manley who kept his clean record by
going to 3-0 with a TKO win over Jose Valentin.
Quick Results:
Chris Manley won by TKO over Jose Valentin;
Fred Belleton won by TKO over
Fernando Rivera;
Josh LaBerge won by decision over
Barrington Douse;
Kym Sturdivant won (O'Neil did not answer the bell) over
Jason O\'Neil;
Reggie Higgins won by TKO over Jesus Ortis;
Karen Grigoryan won by KO over
Daniel Rial;
Alex Davis won by submission over Margarita Kolmykova;
Luis Palomino won by unanimous decision over
Marc Stevens;
Shamkhal Kerimov won by submission over
Ryan Griffith;
Charlie Brennaman won by TKO over Yanish Dimitry