Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
Dagestani middleweight Sharaptudin "Bullet" Magomedov is aiming for a high-octane return to the Octagon when he faces Marc-André "Powerbar" Barriault at UFC Fight Night on July 26 in Abu Dhabi, pledging a refined and focused performance in the middleweight category following his first UFC loss to Michael Page in February.
Sporting a 4-1 UFC record, Magomedov built a reputation for wild, crowd-pleasing fights, securing three 'Fight of the Night' bonuses before the setback against Page, nicknamed Venom, earlier this year.
The one-eyed Magomedov, affectionately called Sharo, will be the fan favourite in the other middleweight bout on a card headlined by former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker and Dutch standout Reinier de Ridder, who has made an impressive transition from the ONE Championship.
The No.12-ranked De Ridder, undefeated in his three UFC bouts to date, could earn a division title eliminator should he defeat Whittaker. The UFC promotion is touting this weekend to go down in the global calendar as one of their expected top three most thrilling Fight Night cards of the year.
Meanwhile, the 30-year-old Magomedov, speaking ahead of the bout through an interpreter to Aletihad at the UFC Gym in Al Maqta Mall, said he is now taking his career more seriously and is determined to showcase a more complete version of his striking-heavy arsenal.
"Until now, in my bouts, I tried to show off every round. Now it is more about technique. I want the world to see my full arsenal," said Magomedov.
The flamboyant striker admitted the loss to Page was a wake-up call. "Before, it was like a hobby. Now I want to show my professional side to the fans. I'm serious – for my health, for my team, for my training."
There had been some speculation that the timing of the defeat - which followed a widely publicised meeting with football star Cristiano Ronaldo - may have caused distraction. Yet, Magomedov dismissed that idea but admitted physical limitations played a role in the loss.
"Ronaldo gave me motivation, he said to Telecom Asia Sport. "But my body was not ready, I was not completely healthy for that fight. Afterwards, Ronaldo called and told me not to worry – that it's just one loss, and to focus on the next fight. It gave me confidence again."
Magomedov's opponent, Barriault, enters the Abu Dhabi clash following a win over Bruno Silva – the same fighter Magomedov knocked out on his UFC debut five bouts ago.
"I finished Bruno Silva with a knockout. Marc-André won after me when Bruno's career was going down. But Marc is strong – there are no weak opponents in UFC," he said. "He is like a firefighter, relentless, always going forward. But I am ready. I have an answer for every situation."
Magomedov lost one eye in an injury early in his mixed martial arts career. Even then, his aggressive and unpredictable striking often stood in contrast with the dominant grappling style associated with Dagestani fighters like Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Incidentally, Magomedov has carved a path of his own after he could not join the famed academy of Khabib's father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, in his early years because he did not want to shave his head in training as the coach wanted to.
Magomedov has acknowledged the stylistic divide but said he remains respectful of the former champion, who is now based in Dubai and remains a towering figure in the region's MMA landscape.
"I respect Khabib very much. I have met him and listened to what he tells me. He is a great guy for all of us from Dagestan. He is more of a wrestler, I am a striker – so we have different styles. But when we meet, if he gives me any advice, I try to follow it.
"With UFC returning to the Middle East, Magomedov has promised fireworks – and perhaps another Fight of the Night – as he looks to reestablish himself as a force in the 84-kilogramme division.
"This time, I am serious. So God help me – I will show all my arsenal."
