Manny Gamburyan
...“Pitbull”
Nicknamed him “Pitbull” by his cousin Karo Parisyan for his tenacity,Manville Gamburyan began his career in 1999 at the age of 17. He won his first three fights, then lost a decision to future lightweight champion Sean Sherk in 2001. He has had some ups and downs throughout his career but has always comeback with the tenacity that earned him his nickname.
In 2007, Gamburyan appeared on the reality show The Ultimate Fighter Five, 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 Arloski. Manny defeated Noah Thomas by Kimura in the preliminary round. In his next fight, Gamburyan defeated Matt Wiman to advance to the semifinal round. In the semifinal round, Manny 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 had to tap out in the second round after dislocating his right shoulder on a successful takedown attempt. A very disappointing loss for Manny yet his popularity with fans continued to grow. Despite losing the show, Gamburyan secured a UFC contract with his performance. He won his next two UFC fights, defeating Nate Mohr atUFC 79 and Jeff Cox atUFC FIGHT NIGHT 13.
Manny proved himself once again in his WEC debut vs. John Franchi on June 7th, 2009. Here’s the play by play…
JOHN FRANCHI VS. MANNY GAMBURYAN
Round 1 – As referee Jason Herzog brings the fighters together, the featherweight division looks much more suited for Gamburyan. A touch of gloves gets us started. Gamburyan tries a right hand, and Franchi answers with a low kick counter, Gamburyan shoots in. Franchi sprawls out and jumps to guard. Franchi utilizes a closed guard, controlling Gamburyan right arm. Gamburyan answers by burying left hands in Franchi’s ribs. Gamburyan cross-facest, throws a few punches and drops for a leg. Franchi senses it immediately and scrambles out. The two jockey for position and Gamburyan looks for a kimura. It’s not there, but he slides completely out and looks for an arm bar. Franchi remains patient, slips out and winds up on top of Gamburyan with the Armenian facing dow. Gamburyan rolls and sweeps into top position as Franchi pull guard. Franchi again closing the guard, and Herzog stands the two with 90 second remaining. Franchi jabs on the restart. Franchi feigns, then throws a spinning back kick that whiffs. Gamburyan a bit hesitant on the outside, then shoots from too far away. Franchi sprawls easily. and lands a few knees inside in the clinch. Gamburyan presses him against the cage, and the crowd disagrees with the strategy as time expires. MMAjunkie.com gives it to Gamburyan, 10-9.
Round 2 – Franchi opens with a few jabs.Gamburyan patiently avoids, then lands a looping right that drops Franchi. A flurry follows of ground-and-pond blows, but Franchi again ties Gamburyan up with a closed guard and recovers. Gamburyan avoids an armbar attempt, then answers with a heavy downward right. Fanchi’s head is trapped against the cage, and Gamburyan is grinding away with shots to the head and body. Franchi continues to leave his guard closed, and eventually earns a standup with slightly more than two minutes remaining. Franchi tries to jab and utilize his reach advantage. Franchi charges forward, and as Gamburyan throws hooks to the head, his opponent throws an uppercut that lands just a bit low. Gamburyan turns his back immediately, and Herzog suspends action. The crowd boos, but replays show a clear unintentional blow to the old Armenian jewels. The bout restarts, and the pair touches gloves. A clinch on the restart leads to little action, but Gamburyan backs away and lands an overhand right. Gamburyan then scoops up Franchi and plants him on the floor. Franchi closes his guard tight and seems content to slow the pace. Gamburyan drops right hands until time expires. MMAjunkie.com sees the second for Gamburyan as well, 10-9.
Round 3 – Gaburyan immediately charges in and shoves Franchi to the canvas. A familiar position sets up, and Gamburyan traps Franchi’s head against the cage and delivers ground and pound offense. Herzog watches closely, but the attack simply isn’t enough to warrant a stoppage despite the one-sided nature of the bout. Franchi keeps his guard closed, eventually deciding to try mission control. Gamburyan breaks it, stands, throws a leg kick, and leaps in with a flying right hand guard pass. Gamburyan stands again and delivers a few leg kicks before returning to Franchi’s guard. Gamburyan continues to deliver right hands, then a series of assorted hammerfists. Two minutes remain, and the crowd wants a stand-up. Gamburyan is moving enough in and out of the guard to prevent Herzog from making that call, but this bout is simply a matter of waiting for time to expire. Gamburyan stands again, delivering three leg kicks before flying in with a right hand again. Franchi’s bleeding around his left eye, and Gamburyan drops for an ankle when he hears the 10-second warning. Nothing there, and Gamburyan will have to be content with taking a dominating 30-27 win. Manny Gamburyan def. John Franchi via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).