"Time Out" With Manouk Akopyan

Four-time heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield says he's making a comeback at the age of 57 to raise money for his charity, Unite 4 Our Fight, and he's willing to get in the ring with Mike Tyson for a third time. 

Gegard Mousasi is arguably one of the greatest Armenian combat sports athletes of all time.  Mousasi has a record of 46-7-2 and is a champion of four different MMA promotions—Bellator, Strikeforce, DREAM and Cage Warriors. He's also a 12-fight veteran of the UFC.  On May 9, 2020, he looks to become a Bellator champion once again when he takes on Douglas Lima in San Jose. 

Danny Tarkanian, the son of legendary UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian, has penned the new book "Rebel With A Cause" about his father's remarkable journey in college basketball. Danny, who also played for Jerry at UNLV, details the prejudice Tarkanian faced as an Armenian-American, and doesn’t shy away from any of the controversies that plagued Jerry during his long and storied career.

Salpi Ghazarian is the director of USC's Institute of Armenian Studies and the founder of the media organization Civil Net. She's spent her entire life and career shaping the diaspora through education. Ghazarian explains how she and her team at USC are paving a path for a more modern Armenia through research, as well as festivals like the annual Innovate Armenia on the campus. 

KTLA channel 5 reporter Ellina Abovian discusses how she rose through the ranks in media and returned to her native Los Angeles to tell impactful stories every morning on television. Abovian has shares her storytelling process in journalism, offers advice to the younger generation looking to break through in media, and explains how she's juggling life as a mother of two along with her budding career. 

George Bastrmajyan is the founder of Lights Out Xtreme Fighting, an MMA league he co-founded with former San Diego Chargers All-Pro linebacker Shawne "Lights Out" Merriman and pugilism promoter Steve Bash. Bastrmajyan has been around the fight game for over 20 years and has worn every imaginable hat. He's fought and trained Muay Thai in Asia, he's cornered the likes of Vic Darchinyan, he's bred prospects likes UFC phenom like Edmen Shahbazyan, he's co-promoted fights with Don King, and now, he's shaping the MMA scene in Southern California with LXF. 

Ardy Kassakhian is Glendale’s elected City Clerk, a college instructor and he's running for Glendale City Council in the upcoming elections. Kassakhian grew up in Glendale, attended its public schools and has been engaged with civic affairs for over 30 years in the Jewel City. Kassakhian shares his vision for what he can bring to the city, and also details his relationship with Adam Schiff, the US Representative who endorses him. 

Armen Karaoghlanian founded the Armenian Film Society with his wife Mary in 2015 . Their mission is to shine a spotlight on Armenian filmmakers. Armenian Film Society’s ongoing goal is to bridge the gap with the Armenian community with film screenings, discussions, and lectures.

Armenian Film Society holds monthly screenings, events, and discussions in the Glendale area, and welcomes hundreds of regular attendees with audiences that represent all ages and a cross-section of the diverse population of Los Angeles.

In the past, Armenian Film Society has welcomed a number of notable guests, including Mardik Martin, Sev Ohanian, Eric Nazarian, Roger Kupelian, Ken Davitian, and more. 

Karo Patpatyan, executive chef of the historic Mayfair Hotel in Los Angeles, is influencing his cuisine and menu with his culture. Karo is formerly of 

Wolfgang Puck's Spago in Beverly Hills and an understudy of the renowned chef, and he talks about learning the tricks of the trade from Wolfgang himself. Karo is now bringing his own vision for food to Los Angeles at the recently opened restaurant.

Rick Mirigian started his career as a promoter in the Fresno scene, and his hustler's mentality and love for the art of flipping eventually led him to the world of boxing. Currently, Mirigian presides over the career of 2012 Olympian and unified world champion Jose Ramirez, and he's been nominated as "Manager of they Year." Mirigian discusses his first big break,  breaking bank on sports cards and the lessons he's learned from Hall of Fame boxing promoter Bob Arum. 

UFC fighter and No. 1 women's flyweight contender Katlyn Chookagian discusses her ascent in MMA, her Armenian heritage, how fans have embraced her all over the world, and the sacrifices it takes to become a combat sports athlete. Chookagian will have the opportunity of a lifetime when she fights Valentina Shevchenko for the UFC flyweight championship on Feb. 8 during UFC 247. The title fight will be the co-main event, setting up Jon Jones versus Dominick Reyes.

Ara Khatchadourian, chief editor for Asbarez, a leading Armenian-American bilingual newspaper since 1908, discusses the state of media in Armenia and abroad, newsgathering in the United States and how fake news impacts Armenian communities. 

Social critic, author and publisher Stepan Partamian has spent the better part of the century stirring the pot by challenging people with his thought-provoking commentary on what it means to be an Armenian. Partamian joins us on his last day in the United States, as he's moving back to Armenia to document the Armenian identity throughout Europe and abroad. 

“The Gambler” is William Rempel's latest book. It covers the rags-to-riches tale of Armenian icon Kirk Kerkorian, a poor immigrant’s son who made and lost billions on bold business ventures. Kerkorian became one of the most instrumental figures in Las Vegas as MGM Resorts' founder and impresario. He also parlayed his shrewd business moves in the airline, auto and movie industries, and donated hundred of millions of dollars to Armenian causes.

“The Gambler” is William Rempel's latest book. It covers the rags-to-riches tale of Armenian icon Kirk Kerkorian, a poor immigrant’s son who made and lost billions on bold business ventures. Kerkorian became one of the most instrumental figures in Las Vegas as MGM Resorts' founder and impresario. He also parlayed his shrewd business moves in the airline, auto and movie industries, and donated hundred of millions of dollars to Armenian causes. 

The Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California is a developing project in Glendale, California. The mission is to promote understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Armenian American experience. The vision is a cultural campus that enriches the community, educates the public on the Armenian American story, and empowers individuals to embrace cultural diversity and speak out against prejudice.

Shant Sahakian, executive director of the Armenian-American Museum, joins the show to explain when they will be breaking ground for the development, and what kind of programming and experiences to expect in the near future. 

Episode One: UFC star Edmen Shahbazyan

"Time Out" With Manouk Akopyan is a global Armenian lifestyle show that discusses culture around the nexus of arts, entertainment, sports, film, music, food, business and everything else in between.