ABU DHABI \u2013\u00a0Marc-Andre Barriault was offered Shara Magomedov just days after potentially saving his UFC job.<\/p>\n
Barriault (17-9 MMA, 6-8 UFC) takes on rising middleweight contender Shara Magomedov (15-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) on Saturday’s UFC on ABC 9<\/a> main card at Etihad Arena on Yas Island (ABC, ESPN, ESPN+<\/a>).<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Barriault snapped a three-fight losing skid with a brutal knockout of Bruno Silva at UFC 315<\/a> in May, which led to a Performance of the Night bonus and a new contract.<\/p>\n “The fight in Montreal was one of the best highlights of my career for sure,” Barriault told MMA Junkie during Wednesday’s UFC on ABC 9 media day. “As soon as I got back home, less than 48 hours I was on the phone with my manager. All good news for sure, but I was kind of like, ‘OK, I need to jump back right away,’ but it’s OK.<\/p>\n “At this point in my career, I just want to make the most of it. I’ve been here for six years now so, I feel like I’m at my peak right now, and I’m super happy that the UFC gave me this opportunity to come and fight this guy for sure.”<\/p>\n However, drawing the dangerous Magomedov less than a week after his career-highlight win left the Canadian a little confused.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n “I’m not gonna lie, at first, I was like, ‘OK, why they offer me this guy?,'” Barriault said. “Stylistically, I was not super excited at first, but the more I was thinking about the matchup, the fight and also all the confidence I gained after my last fight, I was like, ‘OK Marc, you belong here, you can fight with anybody in this division.’ I have what it takes to be here.”<\/p>\n