Zabit Magomedsharipov will soon compete under grappling rules at an ACB JJ tournament. The event, ACB JJ 21, is scheduled to take place on July 5 in Moscow. This represents a departure from MMA competition for the former UFC featherweight contender. The announcement was made through the league's official channel, though specific opponent information was not provided in the post.
Zabit Magomedsharipov is set to step onto the grappling mats as ACB Jiu-Jitsu announced the Russian featherweight will compete at ACB JJ 21 on July 5 in Moscow. No opponent has been named for the matchup. The appearance marks a move away from MMA competition for the 35-year-old, whose last cage activity came in the UFC featherweight division.
Magomedsharipov carries an 18-1-0 professional MMA record and built his reputation as one of the most dynamic fighters in the featherweight division during his UFC tenure. Standing six feet one inch tall with a 73-inch reach, the Russian fighter trained out of Ricardo Almeida Jiu-Jitsu, giving him a credible grappling pedigree heading into submission-rules competition. His MMA numbers reinforce that well-rounded profile: he averaged 4.89 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy while also posting an impressive 5.22 takedowns per 15 minutes, reflecting the wrestling and grappling base he now brings to a pure submission format.
Why it matters
- Magomedsharipov remains one of the most recognizable names in Russian MMA, and his ACB JJ appearance will draw attention to the event regardless of his opponent.
- Competing under grappling rules lets him stay active and sharp while remaining outside the UFC roster.
- His takedown output and jiu-jitsu background suggest he is well-suited to the format, though the level of opposition is not yet known.
