Former Boxing Champion Vic Darchinyan to Make MMA Debut in Australia

Boxer Vic Darchinyan (left) plans to cross over to MMA. | Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images Sport

The opponent, date and site have not been finalized, but Tarverdyan said Darchinyan’s fight will take place in his adopted country of Australia. Darchinyan will compete in the 125-pound flyweight class.

“They actually gave him a fight already in Australia,” Tarverdyan said. “It’s good pay and he’s happy, and he wants to do it.”

Tarverdyan said Darchinyan -- whose father, Ruben Darchinyan, was an Olympic wrestling coach for Armenia -- will begin his MMA training next week at Glendale Fighting Club.

“Vic wants to do MMA,” Tarverdyan said. “He called me. He’s being honest. He said, ‘I’m coming down there. I just need three or four inches and I’ll punch somebody and break their jaw, even on the ground.’ I’m like, ‘Dude, it’s not just about three or four inches.’ He goes, ‘No, no, no ... all I need is a little bit of distance, and if I hit him, I’ll break him.’ And I believe that. He’s so strong.”

Darchinyan, 38, has a pro boxing record of 39-6-1 with 28 KOs. Darchinyan is a former IBF flyweight champion, and he unified the WBC, WBA and IBF titles to become the undisputed super flyweight champion.