Khashakyan looks to knock down opportunity, knock out Ramos

It was not all that long ago that Alfred Khashakyan, a product of Glendale High, was plying his trade as a muay Thai kickboxer.

Now, Khaskhakyan, who just recently celebrated his 28th birthday and three years as a professional mixed martial arts fighter, appears on the doorstep of an Ultimate Fighting Championship contract.

For that door to open, however, it would seem likely that “The Fearless” Khashakyan must emerge victorious from Friday night’s New England Fights’ “Lookin’ for a Fight” main event against fellow prospect Ricardo Lucas Ramos at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine.

“This fight is to show people I’m not just another fighter,” said Khashakyan, who trains at the Glendale Fighting Club under the tutelage of Edmond Tarverdyan. “This is the proving ground for me.”

Khashakyan (7-2) will square off with the 21-year-old Brazilian Ramos (8-1) in a three-round bantamweight bout that will serve as the main event of a card streamed live on Flocombat.com. The live stream begins at 4 p.m. PST.

The card’s moniker and of added pressure and prominence for the combatants comes with the fact that UFC President Dana White is scheduled to be in attendance filming his online series “Lookin’ for a Fight,” in which he spans the country in search of UFC prospects.

“Now that he’s here, I’m going to show him what I can do,” said Khashakyan, who has won two fights in a row with all seven of his career triumphs coming via knockout.

Khashakyan, who touched down in Maine on Wednesday afternoon, said he had previously spoken with White and a UFC contract was discussed, but that taking the more uncertain road of fighting Ramos with the backdrop of “Lookin’ for a Fight” providing more exposure was the decided course of action.

“It’s better to take that risk,” Khashakyan said.

That risk comes in the form of Ramos, who cut his teeth in Brazil’s arduous regional scene to the tune of a 6-0 start before fighting three bouts for Legacy Fighting Championships, considered one of the most preeminent regional organizations thanks to its televised cards on AXS TV and its history of sending fighters to the UFC.

With six stoppage victories, including five via submission, Ramos built an 8-0 genesis to his career before he lost to Manny Vazquez in the main event of Legacy 51 in February.

“He’s [21] years old, he’s young. I know he’s got a lot of fights and he’s a jiu jitsu guy,” Khashakyan said, “but he hasn’t been hit by somebody like me.”

Ramos’ loss came in Minnesota, following fights in Oklahoma and Texas. Thus, after he began his career fighting five bouts in his native Brazil, Friday will see Ramos compete in his fourth state in as many fights.

Khashakyan, however, will fight for the first time in MMA outside of California.

One thing unlikely to change is that Khashakyan will face a foe looking to take him down. Both of Khashakyan’s losses — in his pro debut against Mike Hansen in May of 2013 and to Juan Archuleta in October of 2015 — came via unanimous decision after his opponents smothered him on the ground for the most part.

“I’ve been working a lot on my wrestling, since my first fight,” said Khashakyan, whose last fight came on June 25 when he knocked out Anthony Perales in 45 seconds. “I’m ready for them. I know everybody thinks wrestling is my Kryptonite, but I’m ready.”

The 135-pound tilt has drawn its share of hype thanks to the buzz from “Lookin’ for a Fight” and was also mentioned on prominent MMA website Sherdog.com’s “10 August Tussles Worth Watching.” It comes as Khashakyan and Ramos are not only two burgeoning prospects, but also exciting fighters with savage statistics. Of their combined 15 victories, 14 have come via finish and 11 inside the first round (six for Ramos, five for Khashakyan).

“For this fight, I feel like if I put my pressure on him, they’re not gonna be able to handle it,” Khashakyan said. “If I hit him with everything I’ve got … it’s over.”

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Grant Gordon, grant.gordon@latimes.com

Twitter: @TCNGrantGordon