ACB JJ 21 Card Takes Shape With Allen, Kurmagomedov, Magomedsharipov Bouts

The ACB JJ 21 grappling card, set for July 5 in Moscow, has added several high-profile matchups to its lineup, headlined by a clash between Zabit Magomedsharipov and Raul Rosas Jr.

UFC middleweight contender Brendan Allen, ranked fifth in his division, will compete under grappling rules at 90 kg against Ramazan Kurmagomedov. The 30-year-old American, fighting out of Kill Cliff FC, carries a 26-7 record and brings well-rounded submission credentials to the mat, averaging 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes across his MMA career. At six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, Allen is a natural fit for the grappling format.

The main event features Zabit Magomedsharipov, the 35-year-old Russian whose 18-1 MMA record made him one of the most talked-about featherweights of his era. Now competing under the Ricardo Almeida Jiu-Jitsu banner, Magomedsharipov averaged an exceptional 5.22 takedowns per 15 minutes in MMA competition, underlining the wrestling-heavy base he brings into this pure grappling setting.

Armen Petrosyan, the 35-year-old Armenian known as "Superman," rounds out the confirmed names on the card, set to face Rinat Fakhretdinov. The nine-fight MMA veteran carries a 9-5 record and has shown sharp offensive output, landing 5.84 significant strikes per minute in his MMA bouts. The 80 kg bracket also features Loik Radzhabov taking on Yusuf Raisov.

Why it matters

• Allen's appearance puts a ranked UFC middleweight in a high-profile submission grappling context, testing his mat skills against a specialized grappling opponent
• Magomedsharipov's return to competition will draw significant attention from fans who followed his unfinished MMA career
• The card blends active UFC talent with veterans, raising the event's profile within the competitive grappling circuit