Report: Stabbed Bellator heavyweight Blagoi Ivanov in stable condition after regaining consciousness

As a mixed martial artist, Blagoi Ivanov knows how to put up a good fight.

The Bellator heavyweight, who was clinging to life after suffering a severe stab wound late last month, is reportedly in stable condition following emergency surgery, having regained consciousness over the weekend.

The Bulgarian English-speaking news site Novinite has the report:

Ivanov is now in a stable condition and is under a milder treatment regimen, doctors have told the BGNES news agency. The fighter's main problem is with one of his lungs and not with his heart, according to the experts that treat him.

Ivanov and his friends were involved in an early morning brawl after a night on the town, one that saw the grappling expert get a knife plunged into the side of his body, just below the armpit and deep enough to pierce his heart.

The Bulgarian famously ended Fedor Emelianenko's streak of Sambo world titles in 2008, defeating "The Last Emperer" in the semifinals before claiming the gold medal for himself.

Ivanov qualified for the Bellator season five heavyweight tournament with a first round technical knockout victory against William Penn. In the tournament quarterfinals, he destroyed veteran Zak Jensen both standing and on the ground, advancing to the final four with a second round guillotine choke.

Unfortunately for "Baga," he was forced to pull out of the tournament after suffering an injury in training camp -- although he recovered enough to take a fight against former UFC champion Ricco Rodriguez on Christmas Eve late last year, defeating the American via third round technical knockout.

There is currently no timetable on his recovery; however, keep it locked in to MMAmania.com for more details on Ivanov's future as they become available.