Shara Magomedov has little faith that Dricus du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev will be competitive.
UFC Middleweight Star Shara 'Bullet' Magomedov returns this weekend to the Octagon in UFC Abu Dhabi while he wants to jump back from his first professional loss. Magomedov will be confronted on Saturday with knockout artist Marc-Andre Barriault in an intriguing matchup.
Magomedov returns after a unanimous loss of decision for the 'Venom' page of Michael in February in UFC Saudi Arabia. Magomedov won his first four UFC performances before the loss to page.
The return of Magomedov comes only a few weeks before one of the largest fighting in the middleweight history of UFC, while UFC champion Dric Du Persis encounters Khamzat Chimaev on UFC 319.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Shara Magomedov doubts
Du Plessis is perhaps the most difficult test of his UFC Middenweight title rules on UFC 319 against Chimaev. In his professional career, Chimaev has been promoted undefeated as a potential future champion since he made his promotion debut in 2020.
The recent victory of Chimaev over former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 proved that he is the real deal on 185 pounds. But even after beating Whittaker, Chimaev has to prove a few things while he is preparing to possibly fight round 3 for the first time in his UFC office period.
Despite the questions about UFC 319, Magomedov does not have much faith in the opportunities of the ruling UFC Middleweight Champion in its upcoming defense.
During his UFC Abu Dhabi Pre-Fight press conference, Magomedov was asked for his prediction for the UFC 319 Main Event.
“As I said before, Dricus is in very good, strong hands in this fight,” said Magomedov.
“We will ensure that you remember his name with two seconds of silence, then.”
Du Plessis is no stranger to be discredited despite holding the UFC Middleweight title. During its UFC career, the uncomfortable style of Du Plessis was mocked by fans and experts, despite his enormous success in the Octagon.
But Magomedov's comments indicate the status of Chimaev in the UFC Middleweight Division and its potential to earn a UFC world title. We are weeks removed from finding out whether or not the prediction of Magomedov will apply.
Khamzat Chimaev's Feerte with Paulo Costa escalated on UFC 318
In the meantime, Chimaev has hooked in recent days with former UFC title title Paulo Costa. Costa called Chimaev after his victory over Roman Kopylov at UFC 318 last weekend, and promised to fight Chimaev before their career ended.
Costa accused Chimaev of bothering his girlfriend about DMS prior to their planned fight on UFC 294. The fight never flourished after Costa had withdrawn due to an injury.
After Costa's victory over UFC 318, and depending on the results of UFC 319, Chimaev and Costa could possibly have a collision course. Time will learn whether Costa and Chimaev will decrease their beef in the cage, or beyond.