UFC star Zabit Magomedsharipov recently described his career in surprisingly unspectacular terms. The Russian MMA star, a former ACB featherweight champion, competed in the UFC as a featherweight with no losses after 6 fights. With only one loss in his 19-fight career, Magomedsharipov easily ranks among the sport’s notable names. However, the Russian champion and World Cup winner thinks remarkably lowly of his career.
Meanwhile, Magomedsharipov has finally quelled many doubts concerning his potential return to the cage with a retirement announcement. Years after his 2012 debut, the 35-year-old will now concentrate his physical and mental abilities elsewhere. Yet, a recent self-appraisal from the legendary fighter might reveal a different side to his personality and priorities.
What Zabit Magomedsharipov said about his MMA career
Magomedsharipov was in line to grapple in an ACB JJ event sometime later this year. The appearance would mark his first time competing since his final UFC bout in November 2019. However, he recently announced his retirement from MMA and has been sharing first-person insights about his career ever since.
“It’s hard to say I’ve achieved something at a high level like that. It’s difficult. Honestly, I don’t really feel like I’ve changed anything. I just did certain things…somehow it turned out that I ended up in America and continued down the sports path.
But to say I’ve reached some major milestone, no, nothing like that. I don’t know. Maybe if we look at it now, then yes, there would be some result after all.”
Meanwhile, Magomedsharipov also opened up on the events leading to his retirement. He flagged unsuccessful negotiations with the UFC, and abrupt fight cancellations discouraged him from continuing with the promotion. He also reportedly claimed the UFC didn’t want him at a title bout due to his Russian roots, which already boast two major champions in Khabib Nurmagomedov and Petr Yan. While Magomedsharipov has no UFC title to his name, there’s no doubt about his legendary contribution at the Octagon.
