ACA president Magomed Bibulatov revealed in an interview with Ushatayka that Zabit Magomedsharipov used to toy with Frankie Edgar in sparring sessions before signing with the UFC, showing a clear skill gap. Bibulatov also recounted a devastating knockout Zabit delivered to Aljamain Sterling during sparring via tornado kick, which was captured on video. He explained that coach Mark Henry was strict about not releasing sparring footage, so it was never officially shared, though Zabit's team may still have the video. Bibulatov emphasized how dominant Zabit was against top fighters of that era, saying he would play with them without even straining himself. The knockout of Sterling was described as particularly brutal and similar to Adam Khaliev's recent finish.
ACA president Magomed Bibulatov offered a rare glimpse into Zabit Magomedsharipov's pre-UFC career in a recent interview with Ushatayka, recounting dominant sparring performances against two fighters who would go on to become significant names in the featherweight and bantamweight divisions.
Bibulatov, a former professional fighter himself who compiled a 14-2 record before moving into an executive role, described Zabit as operating on a completely different level from elite competition during that period. According to Bibulatov, the 35-year-old Russian — who stands six-foot-one with a 73-inch reach and carries an 18-1 professional record — was simply toying with opponents rather than exerting himself in sparring.
One account involved Frankie Edgar, with Bibulatov saying Zabit exposed a clear skill gap between the two men whenever they trained together before the Russian signed with the UFC. The second story was more dramatic: Bibulatov described Zabit landing a tornado kick on Aljamain Sterling in sparring that produced a devastating finish, comparable in brutality to a recent knockout by unbeaten Russian prospect Adam Khaliev. The moment was reportedly filmed, but coach Mark Henry's strict policy against releasing sparring footage meant the video was never made public, though Bibulatov noted Zabit's team may still have it in their possession.
Why it matters
- Zabit, who averages 4.89 significant strikes per minute and 5.22 takedowns per 15 minutes in UFC competition, has long been considered an elite talent whose career arc left questions unanswered
- The accounts position him as dominant over fighters who later held or contested world titles, adding weight to his reputation during a period when his activity was limited
- The existence of a potential sparring knockout video, however unlikely to surface given Henry's longstanding policy, remains a compelling footnote for those who followed his career closely
