Zhora Akopyan

Zhora Akopyan (born 6 November 1997) is a Belarusian-Armenian kickboxer. He is the former Fair Fight welterweight champion, FEA WGP lightweight champion and the 2019 Tatneft Cup lightweight tournament winner.

Kickboxing career

Akopyan grew up in Polotsk, Belarus, he practiced Karate as a child. His uncle noticed his love for martial arts and brought him to a Muay Thai and Kickboxing club in his hometown when Zhora was 11. Akopyan won the IFMA gold medal in 2014 after five years of training. The following year he moved to Minsk to join Gridin gym and try to breakout in the professional world.

Akopyan was scheduled to face Eduard King at KOK Elimination Tournament on October 6, 2018. He won the fight by a second-round knockout.

Akopyan was scheduled to face Mirkko Moisar at Number One Fight Show 11 on May 14, 2019. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Akopyan was scheduled to face Vladislav Ukrainets, in 1/8 of the -70 kg tournament held on June 11, 2019. The fight went into an extra round, after which Akopyan won the decision. A month later, on July 20, Akopyan faced Yanis Budagov in the tournament quarterfinals. The fight once again went into an extra round, after which he was awarded a decision.

Akopyan was scheduled to participate in the FEA World Grand Prix, held on August 17, 2019. He beat Stanislav Kazantsev by unanimous decision in the tournament semifinals. Advancing to the finals, he faced Constantin Rusu, whom he beat by decision, after an extra round was fought.

Akopyan was scheduled to face Ilya Sokolov in the semifinals of the Tatneft Cup, held on October 4, 2019. He won the fight by decision, after an extra round was fought.

Akopyan was scheduled to face Ivan Kondratiev in the finals of the 2019 Tatneft Cup -70 kg tournament, held on December 15, 2019. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Akopyan was scheduled to fight a rematch with Rafał Dudek at MGC Promotion on February 29, 2020. The two of them previously fought at DSF Kickboxing Challenge on August 9, 2018, with Dudek winning by decision. Akopyan was more successful in the rematch, as he won by unanimous decision.

Akopyan was scheduled to face Maxim Spodarenko at BFC 65 on December 23, 2020. He won the fight by split decision.

Akopyan was scheduled to fight Maxim Sulgin for the vacant Fair Fight -77 kg title at Fair Fight XV on August 28, 2021. He won the fight by split decision.

Akopyan was scheduled to face Jonathan Mayezo at Empire Fight - Vikings Edition on October 2, 2021. He lost the fight by majority decision.

Akopyan was scheduled to face Fabien Bignell at Tour Event Fight 9 on April 2, 2022. Akopyan withdrew from the bout, as the French Federation did not allow him to compete due to sanctions against Belarus in the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Akopyan faced Mamuka Usubyan at Fair Fight XVII on April 16, 2022 for the Fair Fight Lightweight title. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Akpyan defeated Daniele Iodice by unanimous decision at PetrosyanMania GOLD EDITION in Italy on April 30, 2022.

Akopyan faced Sayfullah Khambakadov in a Fair Fight lightweight title eliminator at RCC Fair Fight 19 on November 26, 2022. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Akopyan was expected to face Vasilii Semenov in the Fair Fight lightweight tournament semifinals at RCC Fair Fight 20 on February 18, 2023. He was forced to withdraw with an injury and the bout was rescheduled for RCC 15 on May 13, 2023. He won the fight by decision.

On February 8, 2024, it was announced that Akopyan would be one of sixteen participants of the 2024 K-1 World MAX Final 16, which took place on March 20, 2024. He faced Taras Hnatchuk at K-1 World MAX 2024 - World Tournament Opening Round on March 20, 2024. Akopyan won the fight by unanimous decision.

Championships and accomplishments

Fight record