Zabit Magomedsharipov will compete at ACB JJ on July 5th in Moscow in a 70kg bout. This marks a grappling match for the former UFC featherweight contender who has been away from MMA competition. The event will take place in Russia's capital city. No opponent has been announced yet, with the post asking fans who they would like to see matched against Zabit. The weight class is 70 kilograms for this grappling contest.
Zabit Magomedsharipov is set to return to competition on July 5th, stepping onto the grappling mats at ACB JJ in Moscow for a 70-kilogram contest. No opponent has been named yet, with the event's promotion inviting fans to weigh in on who they would like to see face him.
The 35-year-old Russian holds an 18-1 professional MMA record and was once among the most exciting prospects in the UFC featherweight division. Standing six-foot-one with a 73-inch reach, Magomedsharipov trained out of Ricardo Almeida Jiu-Jitsu, a credential that signals genuine grappling credentials behind his better-known striking game. During his UFC run he averaged 4.89 significant strikes landed per minute at 48 percent accuracy, while also posting an impressive 5.22 takedowns per 15 minutes — a rate that illustrated his well-rounded skill set. He has been absent from MMA competition for some time, making this ACB JJ appearance his first confirmed booking in the interim.
Why it matters
- Magomedsharipov was unbeaten through his UFC tenure before his lone professional loss, so any public performance draws attention from featherweight observers
- A grappling-only format at 70 kilograms tests a different dimension of his game, separate from the MMA context where he built his reputation
- The opponent announcement will determine the competitive stakes; a high-profile grappling matchup could serve as a meaningful litmus test ahead of any potential MMA return
