Amid recent links to a stunning “comeback” to combat sports, Russian star, Zabit Magomedsharipov’s name is hitting the headlines once more this week — with fans reminiscing on the time the former turned down an immediate title fight to make a return to the UFC.
Magomedsharipov, a former top-contender in the promotion’s featherweight ranks, officially informed the UFC of his intention to retire back in 2019, despite enjoying an unbeaten run en route to talk of a title fight in the near future.
However, last fighting in a winning effort against Calvin Kattar back in 2019, Magomedsharipov was hit with an immune system illness, which would require potentially career-threatening surgery to address, ultimately forcing his hand into retirement.