If Shalabdin Magomedov wants to become the new face of Dagestan’s striking world, he’ll need to step up in a big way.
Magomedov is an elite striker from Dagestan, a region renowned for producing some of the best grapplers in MMA history. Commonly known as “Shala Bullet,” Magomedov made his UFC debut in October 2023 at UFC 294, where he showed off his striking prowess against Bruno Silva in a unanimous decision victory. After the bout, UFC CEO Dana White expressed surprise at the unbeaten Dagestan’s reluctance to wrestle. Far from being deterred, Magomedov was inspired by White’s comments.
“It’s a kind of advertising for me,” he told Red Corner MMA. “I think people are tired of Dagestani wrestling. They want to see Dagestani striking! Here I come!”
Before Magomedov, it’s fair to say that Zabit Magomedsharipov was the pioneer of elite striking from Dagestan. An extremely versatile mixed martial artist, Magomedsharipov displayed a unique blend of elite wrestling and striking during a promising but short-lived UFC career. The featherweight contender made his UFC debut in 2017 and compiled a six-fight undefeated record, defeating the likes of Kyle Bochniak, Jeremy Stephens and Calvin Kattar during his time with the promotion.
However, Magomedsharipov went on an extended break after his unanimous decision victory over Kattar in November 2019. Magomedsharipov never returned to competitive action and officially announced his retirement in June 2022. The Dagestan standout cited a “break in the game” and lingering health issues as the reasons for his retirement. Magomedsharipov has since apparently begun studying medicine and has ruled out a return to MMA.
“Shara Barrett” was humble in responding to the comparisons to Magomedsharipov, acknowledging it would be tough to replace the featherweight as the face of Dagestan striking at UFC, with the middleweight noting that it would be tough to replicate Magomedsharipov’s clean, polished stand-up game at his own weight class.
“It’s going to be hard to beat Zabit,” he said. “He’s very polished, very fast, and he’s very light. I [30
to 45 pounds] “I’m heavier than him. It would be difficult for me to execute the techniques he showed in the match, at least as neatly, because I’m in a heavier weight class.”
Magomedov was originally scheduled to face Igor Poteira at UFC Saudi Arabia on June 22, but was suddenly rescheduled last month to face Michel Pereira at UFC 301. Magomedov will now face 47-fight veteran Joylton Luterback in his UFC debut.
