Zabit Magomedsharipov will mix it up with a current top-10 UFC featherweight – just not in MMA.
Fight fans will at least get a taste of nostalgia when Magomedsharipov hits the mats at ACBJJ 22 vs. Youssef Zalal in a 155-pound grappling match.
The bout headlines the event on Aug. 30 at Ora Arena in Istanbul, Turkey, and is co-headlined by former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad vs. former OKTAGON champion Kerim Engizek. The promotion announced both bouts Monday on social media.
Magomedsharipov, 35, captivated fight fans during his UFC run from 2017 to 2019. He's often a top answer in the MMA discourse about the biggest "what-ifs," having walked away from the sport at 18-1 and 6-0 in the UFC.
The circumstances around Magomedsharipov's MMA
departure still remain a bit unclear, though he's indicated health issues and a pursuit of other real-world opportunities contributed to his retirement. He was expected to headline ACBJJ 21 in July vs. Raul Rosas Jr. but withdrew due to injury. He was replaced by his younger brother and current PFL fighter Khasan Magomedsharipov, who Rosas submitted in a little over five minutes.
So while fight fans may never again see Magomedsharipov throw a spinning back kick to an opponent's face, the good news is they may get a jumping leg sweep or two before all is said and done.
Zalal, 29, hasn't competed in MMA (nor grappling) since his April loss to Aljamain Sterling that snapped an eight-fight winning streak.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Zabit Magomedsharipov to compete against top-10 UFC fighter at ACBJJ
