HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Alfred Khashakyan plans on playing spoiler this Saturday.
Khashakyan (11-4 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) takes on former UFC fighter Sergio Pettis at Bellator 238, and will also be making his promotional debut. But while most eyes are on Pettis, Khashakyan says anyone viewing him simply as a springboard for Pettis’ Bellator career is very much mistaken.
“I don’t know if they think that, but I don’t know if they’ve seen my fights or not,” Khashakyan told MMA Junkie on Thursday. “I hope that’s not what they brought me for, because it’s definitely going to be an upset.”
Khashakyan is happy to be taking on a name like Pettis (18-5 MMA, 0-0 BMMA), which means more eyes will be on him, too.
“He is Anthony Pettis’ brother. He has a big name, good following,” he said. “It’s a better opportunity for me to show who I am, so I’m actually happy to fight him.”
All 11 of Khashakyan’s professional victories have come by way of knockout, and he’s notched wins over some notable names, including UFC veterans Albert Morales and Chris Beal. Despite his solid resumé he wasn’t able to secure a UFC contract via Dana White’s Contender Series in 2017, where he ran into Sean O’Malley. But that experience was a valuable one for Khashakyan, who has since worked his way back up to the big stage.
“I feel like that fight I didn’t take my diet seriously and just getting in the cage I was already dizzy, light-headed,” he recalled. “So I learnt a lot about preparation. Just because I can knock everybody out, doesn’t mean that if I don’t feel good, I might not be able so knock them out. So, I took my diet seriously, came back, I got three knockouts (in the) first round to show people that I’ve still got what I have. The power is still there.”
Khashakyan is relaxed and confident ahead of the matchup, and says he believes his knockout power will see him add another finish to his resume on Saturday night.
“I feel like I got so much power maybe first-round KO if not second-round KO,” he said. “I don’t see it going three rounds.”
