Age: 25

MMA Record: 5 – 2

In May, 1991, Manuel’s family relocated from Armenia in search of economic opportunity. Shortly after his arrival, Manuel began training in judo at Gokor Chivichyan’s Hayastan Academy and quickly became one of the top judokas in the country, winning junior nationals less than two years later. He went on to win junior nationals eight times, the junior Olympics once, and was a member of the 2000 judo junior world team. It should come as no surprise that judo is Manuel’s base in a well rounded MMA arsenal.

The cousin of UFC fighter Karo Parisyan, Manuel was dubbed “Pitbull” for the tenacity he displayed in fighting current lightweight champion Sean Sherk. Manuel last fought eighteen months ago in a win against The Ultimate Fighter 2 alumnus Sam Morgan, but soon after dislocated both shoulders. He did not begin training again until seven months ago, and is hungry to get back inside the Octagon.

When he is not training, Manuel is a huge soccer fan, following UEFA and the English Premier League and listing Roberto Carlos and Zinedine Zidane as his favorite players. Other athletes he admires include Tom Brady, Derek Jeter, Dwyane Wade, Sergei Federov and Slava Fetisov. He hopes to emulate their winning ways inside the Octagon on The Ultimate Fighter 5 .