Zabit Magomedsharipov will soon compete under grappling rules at an ACB JJ tournament. The event, ACB JJ 21, is scheduled for July 5 in Moscow. This marks a return to competition for the former UFC featherweight contender, though in a grappling format rather than MMA. The announcement was made via the official league channel, confirming Magomedsharipov's participation in the event.
Zabit Magomedsharipov is set to return to competition on July 5 in Moscow, not inside the MMA cage but on the grappling mats at ACB JJ 21, an event confirmed through the official ACB JJ league channel.
Magomedsharipov, 35, built one of the most exciting reputations in the UFC featherweight division during his run with the promotion, compiling an 18-1-0 professional MMA record. The Russian fighter, who trains out of Ricardo Almeida Jiu-Jitsu, stood six-foot-one with a 73-inch reach and brought a well-rounded skill set to every appearance. His UFC numbers reflected a fighter comfortable in all phases, averaging 4.89 significant strikes landed per minute at 48 percent accuracy, while also posting an impressive 5.22 takedowns per 15 minutes. Those grappling credentials make his entry into a submission-rules tournament a natural fit, even if the format differs from the MMA context in which he built his name.
Why it matters
- Magomedsharipov had been absent from competition, making any return significant for fans of the former featherweight contender
- A grappling tournament setting allows him to showcase the submission and wrestling skills that were central to his MMA identity
- ACB JJ 21 in Moscow provides a high-profile platform, with the league's official announcement signaling an organized, competitive field
