Zabit Magomedsharipov will soon compete under grappling rules at a tournament organized by ACB JJ. The event, titled ACBJJ21, is scheduled for July 5 in Moscow. This marks a shift for Magomedsharipov, who will be competing in submission grappling rather than MMA. The announcement came from the official league channel. Specific opponent details and match format have not been revealed. This represents a notable appearance for the former UFC featherweight contender.
Zabit Magomedsharipov is set to step onto the mats at ACBJJ21, a submission grappling tournament organized by ACB JJ scheduled for July 5 in Moscow.
The announcement, made through the league's official channel, confirms the Russian's participation but has not yet disclosed his opponent or the specific match format he will compete under.
Magomedsharipov, 35, built his reputation as one of the most exciting featherweights in the world during his UFC run, compiling an 18-1-0 professional MMA record. Standing six-foot-one with a 73-inch reach, the orthodox fighter trains out of Ricardo Almeida Jiu-Jitsu, making a grappling-focused competition a natural extension of his martial arts background. His MMA numbers reflect a well-rounded threat: he averaged 4.89 significant strikes landed per minute at 48 percent accuracy, while also generating 5.22 takedowns per 15 minutes — figures that underscored his versatility inside the cage.
Why it matters
- Magomedsharipov steps away from MMA rules entirely, testing his grappling credentials in a dedicated submission format
- His jiu-jitsu team affiliation gives him a credible base for the transition, though opponent and bracket details remain unknown
- The appearance keeps a former top UFC featherweight contender active and visible in combat sports
