He then continued in competition up to the European Championships level but only placed 7th in the 2007 U23 Tournament, and did not make an attempt to represent Bulgaria in the 2008 Olympic games.

Ivanov chose to enter into a career in mixed martial arts as opposed to representing Bulgaria in the 2012 Olympic Games.

[4] Ivanov started a career in mixed martial arts in his home country (2 wins and 1 NC) before going to World Victory Road, where he signed a three-fight deal.

His first fight took place at Sengoku 9 where he defeated Pride FC veteran, Kazuyuki Fujita[5] by split decision, breaking both hands in the process.

Recently, in the capital city of Bulgaria - Sofia, Bagata defeated another well-known Bulgarian MMA fighter Svetoslav Zahariev who was European champion in grappling, heavyweight division.

[7] Ivanov was expected to face Thiago Santos as part of a quarterfinals tournament at Bellator 52 on October 1 at the L'Audberge du Lac Casino Resort in Lake Charles, La.

[9] Ivanov defeated Jensen by technical submission due to a guillotine choke at 2:35 into round 2.

The 2008 Combat Sambo World Champion Ivanov used superior boxing technique, speed, and accuracy to bloody the face, Jensen, in round one.

An outside trip takedown from Ivanov started off the second frame, where he immediately began to crank on an Americana attempt.

Eventually, Jensen was able to scramble out, but as he drove forward attempting to push Ivanov against the fence he left his neck exposed.

Ivanov locked in a tight guillotine choke that left Jensen unconscious and unable to tap.

[11] Ivanov returned to MMA competition after a 21-month absence due to injuries sustained in a bar fight and fought Manny Lara on September 13, 2013 at Bellator 99.

[53][54] On 4 September 2024, Ivanov was suspended from competition by USADA until January 2026 because of a failed test for anabolic steroids.

[55] In the early morning of February 26, 2012, a group of eight men entered the bar "Ice" in Sofia and attacked Ivanov and his two friends.

He was in the intensive care unit after six hours of life-saving medical intervention at Sofia's Pirogov Hospital, his condition stabilized with the aid of an artificial respirator.

[56] The police apprehended a 23-year-old suspect, nicknamed Dampela ("The Dumbbell") with a long criminal record, and charged him with the stabbing.

[57] Bulgaria's Interior Minister, Tsvetan Tsvetanov, used the speed of the arrest as an argument for success in the country's battle against organized crime, in a speech two days after the attack.

Dampela had a criminal record of extortion, drug dealing, and fraudulent car registration.

The prosecution claimed that Dampela bragged about the incident and picked the fight with Ivanov in a drunken rage.