Zabit Magomedsharipov: What Caused His Mysterious Retirement from UFC?

By Ali Hammad June 10, 2024 14:50

Zabit Magomedsharipov, the dynamic, flashy up-and-comer of the UFC's featherweight division. Magomedsharipov, who was born on March 1, 1991, in Khasavyurt, Dagestan, Russia, put together an 18-1 record in the UFC, all 6-0 in the organization. With a weird and different approach to martial arts, he was looked at as a 145-pound rising star and a future champion. But the career of Zabit was over in June 2022 when he retired at the age of 31, with fans and the entire MMA world confused as to why he would abruptly step away from active fighting.

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Zabit Magomedsharipov

Zabit Magomedsharipov had one of the most outstanding careers in the UFC. He signed a four-fight contract with the UFC in May 2017 and promptly rattled off some impressive wins and notable performances. The likes of Calvin Kattar, Jeremy Stephens, and Brandon Davis fell victim to his prowess for defeat in his battles, proving his elite technical abilities and future world-class potential at featherweight. A fan favorite with a perfect molded blend of striking, grappling, and unorthodox and unique techniques that at times seemed impossible, he was a terrifying opponent inside the octagon.

The Reason For Retirement

The mysterious retirement of Zabit Magomedsharipov from the UFC has been explained, as the Russian revealed the "main reason" for his decision during a press conference in Russia. And the Russian detailed his reasoning behind retiring from the sport, claiming his disappointment in the UFC not fulfilling their earlier promises. He declared himself upset with the fact the UFC never gave him a title fight despite saying they would. He also mentioned the dearth of fighting opportunities, as well as injuries and illness, as factors that played into his decision to retire. It appeared Lawal had been drained by the broken promises and expectations-gone-unmet that had sapped him of his energy for competing in an organization such as the UFC.

A Hint at a Possible Comeback

And while Magomedsharipov surprised many in announcing his retirement, he also teased a return down the road. Though he offered up a possible comeback should the spirit move him after a period of reflection: "I don't have that desire at all to come back; I'm happy with my career and I'm more than happy with the route we are going down as a team. Regardless, it looks as if his sights are set on something other than MMA for the time being.

Life After Brawling

This led to Magomedsharipov taking medical studies and surprise, surprise, scheduling a new career focused on healing people. It was an absolute shock to everyone, coming off of a successful run and infinite potential in the world of MMA. In her characterization, it appears Magomedsharipov is planning on venturing beyond just the world of combat sports, stressing his promise to the second chapter of his life assisting others.

In the End

The UFC marked the end of an era as Zabit Magomedsharipov announced his retirement. He decided to walk away from the sport because of broken promises, the long gap between fights, and his desire to pursue a new career in the medical field. Though rumors in the MMA community continue to swirl about whether or not Magomedsharipov could potentially fight again, we are unsure. He says "I am currently healing people" and working through support group settings, which implies he is now steadfastly on a new path. It remains a fascinating debate for fans and enthusiasts to reflect upon when it comes to the enigmatic fighter on where exactly he stands in the sport of mixed martial arts.