Andre Petroski vs. Edmen Shahbazyan prediction, pick, start time for UFC on ESPN 69

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19 hours ago

Andre Petroski vs. Edmen Shahbazyan prediction, pick, start time for UFC on ESPN 69
Andre Petroski and Edmen Shahbazyan meet Saturday on the main card of UFC on ESPN 69 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom.
Last event: 3-2
UFC main cards, 2025: 52-43-1
Andre Petroski vs. Edmen Shahbazyan UFC on ESPN 69 preview
Petroski (13-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) will look to extend his current winning streak to four to match his best UFC run. The 34-year-old enters this matchup following unanimous decision wins over Josh Fremd, Dylan Budka and Rodolfo Vieira. The only setbacks of Petroski's career have come by stoppage, which could bode well for his opponent. ... In his last outing, Shahbazyan (14-5 MMA, 7-5 UFC) recorded a first-round finish of Budka in February. Although Shahbazyan has traded wins and losses over his past five, each win was a stoppage before the third round.
Andre Petroski vs. Edmen Shahbazyan UFC on ESPN 69 expert pick, prediction
With every UFC Fight Night card seemingly having a 1.5 minimum on middleweight matchups, Edmen Shahbazyan and Andre Petroski will lead us into the top two attractions of the evening.
Petroski, who is a switch-stance fighter that primarily operates out of southpaw, will have the on-paper edge if this fight hits the floor given both his wrestling background and ability to extend the fight.
Shahbazyan has traditionally shown to struggle if fighters can survive the hellfire of his initial onslaught, so the first frame should be a nail-biter regardless of which direction it goes. And though Shahbazyan is officially 0-2 opposite southpaws in the octagon, he did finish a stance-switching Dalcha Lungiambula when he was in a southpaw stance (as well as hurt Derek Brunson and Gerald Meerschaert on the feet before falling apart on the floor down the stretch).
It's also worth noting that Shahbazyan switched training camps some time ago and is now working with Eric Nicksick and company at Xtreme Couture MMA, so I'd suggest leaving some room to be surprised as far as potential improvements go. Bias aside, Xtreme Couture is one of the best gyms for big bodies to work with right now and coaches like Nicksick can tailor excellent game plans for his fighters.
Petroski is also working with a top-tier gym in Marquez MMA, so the same pleasantries for potential improvements should be extended to the Philly native as well. That said, I've seen Petroski fold to the exact kind of fight that his Armenian foe will be bringing, so I gotta go with the bruiser from my backyard.
The pick is Shahbazyan by knockout in Round 1.
Andre Petroski vs. Edmen Shahbazyan UFC on ESPN 69 odds
The oddsmakers and the public are favoring the younger fighter, listing Shahbazyan -188 and Petroski +152 via FanDuel.
Andre Petroski vs. Edmen Shahbazyan UFC on ESPN 69 start time, how to watch
Petroski and Shahbazyan are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 11:40 p.m. ET. The fight broadcasts on ESPN and ESPN+.