Akop Stepanyan

Akop Stepanyan (Акоп Степанян, Հակոբ Ստեփանյան; born May 6, 1986) is a Russian mixed martial artist of Armenian heritage who competed in the featherweight and lightweight divisions of Bellator Fighting Championships and Absolute Championship Berkut.

M-1 Global
Stepanyan lost via submission (armbar) to Zagalav Mahachev at M-1 Challenge - 2009 Selections 2 in the first round.

Post-M-1 Global
Stepanyan lost via unanimous decision (30–28, 29–28, 29–28) to Djamal Kurbanov at FEFoMP - Vladivostok Pankration Open Cup 2009 on April 25, 2009.

Return to M-1 Global
Stepanyan lost via submission (rear-naked choke) to Magomed Magomedov at M-1 Challenge - 2009 Selections 5 in the first round.

Stepanyan was released from the M-1 after going 0–2 in the promotion.

Bellator MMA
In July, Stepanyan signed in Bellator.

Stepanyan was then entered into the season seven featherweight tournament. His quarterfinal opponent was Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Wagnney Fabiano at Bellator 76. He lost the bout via first round armbar submission.

Stepanyan next faced former Sengoku Featherweight Champion Marlon Sandro in season eight featherweight tournament on February 7, 2013, at Bellator 88. He lost the fight via controversial majority decision.

Stepanyan faced Chris Saunders on March 7, 2013, at Bellator 92. He won the fight via TKO in the third round.

Stepanyan was expected to face Shahbulat Shamhalaev on September 13, 2013, at Bellator 99. However, Shamhalaev withdrew from the tournament and was replaced by Justin Wilcox. Stepanyan dominated the first round, but was stopped by a rear naked choke submission in the second round.

Stepanyan faced Mike Richman at Bellator 106 on November 2, 2013. Stepanyan had Richman in trouble early in the fight, but lost in the first round via TKO.

League S-70
After Bellator dismissal Akop Stepanyan faced ex-UFC fighter Andre Winner. He won via unanimous decision.

Absolute Championship Berkut
Stepanyan signed a four-fight deal with the ACB in February, 2017.

Stepanyan faced Mukhamed Kokov on April 15, 2017, at ACB 57: Payback. He lost the fight via submission in the third round.

Stepanyan faced Felipe Cruz on June 17, 2017, at ACB 62. He won the fight via knockout in the first round.

ARG (Army Hand-to-Hand Combat)

 * Russian Union of Martial Arts
 * Russian National Champion of Army Hand-to-Hand Combat

Kickboxing

 * Kick-Boxing Federation of Russia
 * Russian National Champion
 * Silver Medalist European Championship 2004

Taekwondo

 * Taekwondo Union of Russia
 * Russian National Champion 2002