Career
He is best known for fighting in WEC"s lightweight division. He had a 12-0 amateur boxing record before he began Mobile Marketing Association . Karen is an Armenian mixed martial arts fighter who has positioned himself as a well-rounded athlete through diverse and extensive training. Darabedyan began studying karate at the age of 5 and taekwondo at the age of 9, earning his black belt in both by age 18.
During high school, he claimed two judo state championship titles and placed third in the nation.
At age 16, Darabedyan entered the world of grappling, placing 1st in the Intermediate Men"s Number-Gi Lightweight division at the 2004 Grapplers Quest West 5 and winning 1st place at under 189.9 pounds in the 2007 World Grappling Games Best of West. Since then, he has compiled a 9-4 record.
Despite Karen’s strong judo and grappling background, he tends to favor keeping the fight on his feet and striking. Karen currently trains with Gokor Chivichyan and Gene LeBell as well as Roma Kalantaryan at Main Event Gym in Glendale.
Darabedyan lost via armbar to Baronet Palaszewski on March 6, 2010 at WEC 47.
Darabedyan then faced Will Kerr on June 20, 2010 at WEC 49. He lost the fight via submission in the first round. Darabedyan was expected to face fellow WEC veteran Marcus Hicks on September 11, 2010 at Shark Fights 13 but Hicks was forced off the card with an injury.
Instead, he faced Daniel Mason-Straus and lost the fight via unanimous decision.