They were just a few fights in his UFC career when Zabit Magomedsharipov showed exactly why he was generally considered a future champion.
When Zabit Magomedsharipov withdrew from the UFC in 2019, it came as a huge shock for the UFC fan base, especially because he had just scored an impressive victory of the then continent, Calvin Kattar.
His shock pension from the sport to pursue a career as a doctor, fans not only left behind, but it also let Joe Rogan out, because he considered him a future champion in the promotion.
Last Monday, however, last Monday, a potential Magomedsharipov UFC referee popped up when his teammate posted a video on Instagram Training, with the caption: “He will return soon.”
If the 34-year-old does that in fact, returns to the promotion, he could cash in on a previously offered title fight by Dana White, who tried to seduce him back in action several times.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty images
Zabit Magomedsharipov scored the rarest entry in the UFC history
After debuting in the promotion in 2017, Zabit immediately showed how good he was, scored back-to-back entry victories on Mike Santiago and Sheymon Moraes before he got a fight against Kyle Bechthiak.
Bechthiak was generally known for his stubborn toughness, which he showed during his three round war against Magomedsharipov. In that fight, the Russian showed his incredibly striking game to the fans.
However, it was in his next fight against Brandon Davis on UFC 228 when Magomedsharipov really showed his potential at the UFC fans.
After a dominant first round against Davis where he again showed his unique arsenal of striking exhibition, he assured an incredible outdoor trip in the second round and took the fight to the ground.
He then took the back of Davis and threatened a coded choke before he was patiently held on to Davis's leg in a completely unorthodox angle.
Magomedsharipov continued with Davis' leg over his head while gaining an extremely rare profit from the banana distribution, also known as the Sulaoev -Stretch.
Zabit only became the third UFC hunter ever to win through this entry, but Aljamain Sterling became the second hunter who won with the entry, so that it was confirmed at exactly the same event.
Who could fight Magomedsharipov in his UFC refuse?
When the 34-year-old returns to the promotion, he will add some much needed excitement to the featherweight division, especially after Ilia Topuria has surprisingly left the title.
Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes are set to collide for the empty title on UFC 314, and Zabit could look with a sharp eye and possibly fight the winner when he returns.
However, if he does not get an immediate title fight, he could finally fight Yair Rodriguez after their planned fight had been canceled in 2020.
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