Former UFC featherweight star Zabit Magomedsharipov has repeatedly teased a return to combat sports.
Before the UFC featherweight division saw the blossoming of top names like Alexander Volkanovski, Jean Silva, and Diego Lopes, the division’s boogeyman was Zabit Magomedsharipov.
Magomedsharipov, who retired from MMA in 2022, was one of the most feared featherweight contenders before hanging up the gloves. He suffered through several health-related issues the derailed his career and forced his decision to retire.
Before retiring, Magomedsharipov notched 14 consecutive wins, including victories against the likes of Calvin Kattar and Jeremy Stephens. He was tabbed as a likely future champion by the likes of Joe Rogan and other top analysts.
PFL star Magomed Magomedov reacts to teammate Zabit Magomedsharipov’s latest comeback teases
Since retiring in 2022, Magomedsharipov has repeatedly teased a return to the cage, most recently in training footage while preparing some of his longtime teammates for upcoming bouts. This prompted many to question whether or not the 34-year-old was plotting a comeback.
During a recent interview with Bloody Elbow, Magomed Magomedov was asked about Magomedsharipov potentially returning to the UFC Octagon.
“He’s finished. I think if he wanted to it would take him only half a year to get back in shape. But I don’t think he’s coming back, I think he’s done. I wish, but I just don’t see him coming back because it’s already been five years,” Magomedov said.
“He’s training, he’s in great shape and he can kill anybody. If he went back at featherweight, he would kill anybody; Alexander Volkanovski or anyone. But I just don’t think it’s going to happen.”
Magomedsharipov’s last fight came in a unanimous decision victory over Kattar in November 2019. He was supposed to fight Yair Rodriguez in August 2020 before the fight was canceled after Rodriguez suffered an injury in camp.
At 34 years old, Magomedsharipov remains in his physical prime, and could still plot a comeback in the next year or two. But according to his top teammate, don’t expect it to come to fruition anytime soon.