This week it was revealed that a number of high profile UFC fighters had been removed from the official UFC rankings. Among those names are former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley (who is a free agent), former UFC lightweight title challenger Al Iaquinta and formerly top ranked featherweight Zabit Magomedsharipov.
After news of Magomedsharipov’s removal from the rankings Russian outlet TASS reported that the Dagestani is considering retiring from MMA entirely. “With a high degree of probability, Zabit will no longer fight,” claimed TASS (ht MMA Mania).
TASS reporter Igor Lazorin then added more details to his story regarding Magomedsharipov’s possible retirement. “I’ve spoken to Zabit’s close people to see how things are going,” wrote Lazorin on social media. “They say Zabit is most likely to end his career and not fight anymore. Long, simple, no special motivation. Stoned tired of fighting – that’s what they say.”
Lazorin added that Magomedsharipov’s loss of motivation is due to a long period without competition.
Last August Magomedsharipov was scheduled to face Yair Rodriguez in a fight that would go far to determining the pecking order of contenders in the featherweight division.
However, Rodriguez was forced to withdraw from the fight with a foot injury. In an Instagram message Magomedsharipov revealed he would not face a replacement opponent for Rodriguez, citing the UFC’s lack of providing options who were close to him in the rankings.
Magomedsharipov last competed at UFC Moscow in November 2019. There he took a hard earned unanimous decision over Calvin Katter. That win took his record to 18-1 and extended his UFC win streak to six fights.
Magomedsharipov first entered a UFC Octagon in 2017 in Rotterdam, where he submitted Mike Santiago. He followed that up with a submission over Sheymon Moraes in Shanghai.
In 2018 he had his US debut at UFC 223, beating Kyle Bochniak by unanimous decision. Also in 2018 he submitted Brandon Davis, using the Suloev stretch.
Before beating Kattar, Magomedsharipov defeated Jeremy Stephens by unanimous decision at UFC 235.
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