Quick Facts
Biography
Kevin Knabjian (born July 5, 1984) is an American mixed martial artist of Armenian descent. He has competed in various promotions, debuting in Shooto in 2003 and going on to fight in WEC and Bellator Fighting Championship.
Mixed martial arts career
Knabjian went to Eastern Illinois University, from which he graduated with a degree in Business Management. Together with fellow EIU student, Brian Ebersole, he started practicing MMA when he was in his freshman year of college. He also wrestled for EIU, a Division 1 school.
His fighting debut was in the Japanese Shooto MMA organization, where he fought Adam Gibson to a draw. His WEC debut ended unsuccessfully when he was knocked out by Brock Larson only 27 seconds into the fight; he went on to compete in other promotions, such as XFO, where he has drawn attention as the title fight of XFO 22, defeating Ultimate Fighter 1 fighter Josh Rafferty by TKO.
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 20 matches | 12 wins | 7 losses |
| By knockout | 6 | 3 |
| By submission | 6 | 3 |
| By decision | 0 | 1 |
| Draws | 1 | |
| No contests | 0 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 12–7–1 | Drew Fickett | Submission (guillotine choke) | WMMA 1 - Fighting for a Better World | March 31, 2012 | 1 | 3:38 | El Paso, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 12–6–1 | Brandon Adamson | Submission (kimura) | XFO 42 - Xtreme Fighting Organization | December 10, 2011 | 1 | 1:44 | Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 11–6–1 | John Tarrh | Submission (punches) | PCF - TWC 9: Berserk | July 16, 2011 | 1 | 0:36 | Indianapolis, Indiana, United States | |
| Loss | 10–6–1 | Nick Duell | KO (head kick) | NAAFS - Caged Vengeance 9 | April 16, 2011 | 2 | 1:01 | Canton, Ohio, United States | |
| Loss | 10–5–1 | Brian Gassaway | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 25 | August 19, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| Loss | 10–4–1 | Jacob Volkmann | Submission (D'arce choke) | Bellator 7 | May 15, 2009 | 2 | 1:42 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 10–3–1 | Jacob Kuester | Submission (heel hook) | Extreme Challenge 101 | July 11, 2008 | 1 | 4:26 | Franklin, Wisconsin, United States | |
| Win | 9–3–1 | Mario Stapel | TKO (punches) | Primetime Fighting Championships | May 30, 2008 | 1 | 2:02 | Merrillville, Indiana, United States | |
| Win | 8–3–1 | Josh Rafferty | TKO (punches) | Xtreme Fighting Organization 22 | February 23, 2008 | 1 | 1:58 | Crystal Lake, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 7–3–1 | Josh Lee | Submission (rear-naked choke) | AB - Lockdown | August 2, 2007 | 1 | 3:51 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| Loss | 6–3–1 | Brock Larson | TKO (punches) | WEC 28 - WrekCage | June 3, 2007 | 1 | 0:27 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 6–2–1 | Jedrzej Kubski | TKO (punches) | IMMAC 2 - Attack | April 21, 2007 | 2 | 1:20 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 5–2–1 | Grant Sarver | Submission (armbar) | CFC 1 - Explosion | December 16, 2006 | 2 | 0:48 | Tinley Park, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 4–2–1 | Joe Geromiller | TKO (punches) | Courage Fighting Championships 7 | November 25, 2006 | 3 | 0:55 | Decatur, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 3–2–1 | Randy Newell | Submission (armbar) | APEX - Undisputed | September 3, 2005 | 1 | 0:55 | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | |
| Win | 2–2–1 | Andre Garcia | TKO | DC 2 - Duneland Classic 2 | August 6, 2005 | 1 | N/A | Portage, Indiana, United States | |
| Loss | 1–2–1 | LaVerne Clark | KO (punch) | Courage Fighting Championships 1 | July 24, 2004 | 2 | 0:10 | Decatur, Illinois, United States | |
| Loss | 1–1–1 | Miguel Gutierrez | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Cage Fighting Championship - Ultimate Fighting Mexico | November 15, 2003 | 2 | N/A | Monterrey, Mexico | |
| Win | 1–0–1 | Nino Marroquin | TKO (punches) | CFM: Cage Fighting Monterrey | May 23, 2003 | 3 | N/A | Monterrey, Mexico | |
| Draw | 0–0–1 | Adam Gibson | Draw | Shooto - Midwest Fighting | May 21, 2003 | 2 | 5:00 | Hammond, Indiana, United States |