Finding a home with the right organization often results in an abundance of trial and error because not all promotions are the same and can check all the boxes for a proper fit due to structural changes or a directional shift in fighting philosophy. In today’s episode of Across The Pond, you will be introduced to the latest eagle of far eastern ascendance ready to ring liberty’s bell with an echo of stern resolution at Welterweight for Cage Fury Fighting Championships. A professional mixed martial artist since March 2022 and representing Marquez Mixed Martial Arts, Itso Babulaidze holds an undefeated 8-0 record consisting of three knockouts, two submissions and three decisions. Babulaidze has fought under the banners of numerous organizations throughout his time as a professional MMA fighter including PFL MMA, Ring of Combat and Cage Fury Fighting Championships. He also fought for Cage Fury Fighting Championships as an Amateur before turning professional. Babulaidze has finished five out of his eight wins inside the professional ranks. He is 4-0 under the Cage Fury Fighting Championships banner with two finishes to show for it under his belt in those four appearances with the promotion. The entirety of his arc story has been in the United States.
In his professional MMA debut at CFFC 106, he faced Jorge Molina and defeated him via unanimous decision. Babulaidze also beat Mahmoud Fawzy Sebie via TKO in the first round at PFL MMA 7. He defeated Lucas Barbosa via unanimous decision as part of the PFL MMA Challenger Series. Then at Ring of Combat 81, he submitted Jimmy Drago via rear-naked choke in round three. Babulaidze defeated Josh Jackson in the first round at Ring of Combat 83, He choked out Kyle Hill in round three via rear-naked choke on the main card of CFFC 148 in the co-main event. Babulaidze defeated Dewitt Dixon in the co-main event on the main card of CFFC 153 via unanimous decision.
At CFFC 159, he defeated Raheam Forest via technical knockout in round three to earn the third knockout victory of his professional career in addition to locking in his fourth consecutive win under the Cage Fury Fighting Championships banner. Babulaidze also extended his streak to eight straight overall in the process as a professional mixed martial artist. Once Babulaidze’s talons have a firm hold on the subject, a severe schooling never really reaches its climatic conclusion with a zero-break tolerance in between class periods!
