Artur Martirosian Wins WSOP $25,000 Heads Up Championship ($500,000)
Six straight wins. That’s what it took to win the $25,000 Heads Up Championship Event at the 2025 World Series of Poker. A total of 64 entrants took their shot at the coveted title at the Horseshoe and Paris Casino Las Vegas, but only Artur Martirosian remained after the dust settled as he took home the $500,000 top prize and the prestigious World Series of Poker bracelet after defeating Aliaksei Boika in the final.
It was a tough road to the finals for Martirosian, who had to run through a gauntlet of a who’s who of challengers, defeating Jeremy Ausmus in the first round before knocking out Faraz Jaka, Kevin Rabichow, Chance Kornuth, and Patrick Leonard en route to the final match. Martirosian stated that heads up is one of his preferred formats, making this title a special one for the decorated veteran. The champion is no stranger to the heads-up format, winning the 2023 WSOP Online $10,000 Heads Up No-Limit Championship, making this his second World Series of Poker heads-up title. The champion made it to the semifinal in last year's event, but fell short, making the title all the more satisfying for Martirosian.
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“It’s my favorite tournament, so I come earlier to play this event. Last year I was unlucky in the semifinal, so I’m happy to finally win it,” said Martirosian.
Event #7: $25,000 Heads Up Championship Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Artur Martirosian | Russian Federation | $500,000 |
| 2 | Aliaksei Boika | Belarus | $300,000 |
| 3 | Patrick Leonard | United Kingdom | $180,000 |
| 4 | David Chen | United States | $180,000 |
| 5 | Thomas Eychenne | France | $86,000 |
| 6 | Chance Kornuth | United States | $86,000 |
| 7 | Harvey Castro | United States | $86,000 |
| 8 | Mike Shi | United States | $86,000 |
Martirosian referenced his first match in the tournament as his toughest due to an early deficit against Ausmus. A championship title appeared as an unlikely possibility for Martirosian when he found himself down nine to one to Ausmus in the first round, but Martirosian would reverse his fortune and rally to come back and stay alive. Martirosian's resilience would be a theme throughout his third bracelet run. Time and time again, Martirosian’s poise was exhibited in this tournament.
“I have a lot of experience in this format,” Martirosian said. “I know how to be patient.”
The first round was not the only round where Martirosian stumbled out of the gate and then fought back into contention. He managed a similar feat against Kornuth in the quarterfinals and repeated that accomplishment against Boika in the final after enduring a deficit during the early stages of the match.
Martirosian would lock up his third bracelet when he spiked a runner-runner flush to knock out Boika. The title is yet another feather in his hat in an already accomplished career, earning his third bracelet in the prestigious $25,000 Heads Up Championship.
The buzz was palpable as onlookers and supporters crowded around the rail to watch the action unfold in the final stages of the tournament after a frenetic semifinal round. Boika punched his ticket to the final with a swift match against David Chen in a four-bet pot, knocking out Chen’s two pair with the nut flush.
Martirosian dispatched Leonard to advance to the finals. Martirosian was in command of the match after turning a king-high straight, leaving Leonard on fumes. Martirosian leaned on Leonard until Martirosian eliminated Leonard with a better ace high to earn his spot in the final.
