The surging 12-0 Russian middleweight is already looking past his UFC Saudi Arabia fight, although his list of next opponents is mixed at best.
Undefeated middleweight contender and perhaps the most intimidating-looking fighter in the entire roster, Shara ‘Bullet’ Magomedov returns to action this weekend on the main card of UFC Saudi Arabia to face Brazilian prospect Antonio Trocoli.
Shara Magomedov returns to action at UFC Saudi Arabia
It says a lot about a fighter when they can feature on the main card of an enormous UFC Fight Night in just their second fight with the promotion; with the undefeated Russian having burst onto the scene in October 2023 with a dominant win over Bruno Silva.
With 10 of his 12 professional wins coming by way of KO/TKO, it’s a safe bet that the ‘Bullet’ is firing on all cylinders when he steps into the octagon against short-notice replacement Trocoli.
Yet with many within the MMA community touting Magomedov as a future middleweight title challenger, should he earn a statement victory in Saudi Arabia, who might the 30-year-old call out for his next bout?
The undefeated ‘Bullet’ names potential next opponents after UFC Saudi Arabia
Speaking via the Red Corner MMA YouTube channel, Shara ‘Bullet’ Magomedov revealed that he would have jumped at the opportunity to face former middleweight king Robert Whittaker; had the UFC called him as a replacement for the sick Khamzat Chimaev.
“There was no offer, but we thought about it… Whittaker is the kind of opponent I’d love to fight in the finale, he’s a tough and experienced opponent. He’s a good striker and has good wrestling – he’s a serious opponent and I’d want to fight him for the title.”
- UFC SAUDI ARABIA: Khamzat Chimaev warned he is ‘losing his aura’ by rival star
Even with another viral finish, it’s highly unlikely that Magomedov would get that fight with ‘The Reaper’ – thankfully, ‘Bullet’ also threw out a host of names for who he could face next; albeit some being more realistic than others.
“Michel Pereira… Kevin Holland, Nick Diaz, Ihor Potieria, [or] Sedriques Dumas, who has just withdrawn from his fight. All the guys that I know of, I don’t know the whole roster.”
Looking at this list, there are a few things to immediately clarify.
Michel Pereira does not have his next bout booked and currently retains the #13 ranking, although the Brazilian is unlikely to fight down the ladder once again given his impressive eight-fight winning streak.
Similarly, Nick Diaz is already booked to fight Vicente Luque in August; with that bout likely being his retirement fight.
Whilst Kevin Holland is known for taking a fight with anyone, anywhere, anytime; he might well have other plans in mind following his Performance of the Night at UFC 302 earlier in the month.
In reality, arguably the two most likely next opponents are the two final names mentioned by Magomedov; with Ihor Poteiria having already previously been matched up against ‘Bullet’, and Sedriques Dumas also having pulled out of his own bout at UFC Saudi Arabia- both are awaiting their next fight offers.
Unsurprisingly, Magomedov is also keen on the rather far-fetched idea of welcoming Conor McGregor to the middleweight division, after the Irish superstar teased an eventual move up to 185lbs.
“Conor tweeted something about fighting at middleweight, I’m ready to welcome him in because this weight class is full of dudes like me. Our fight would be interesting to viewers worldwide; he likes striking and hates Dagestani wrestling, so let’s go. I’m here.”
Shara Magomedov steps back into the octagon this weekend for UFC Saudi Arabia, live from the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on June 22.