Former UFC featherweight fighter Zabit Magomedsharipov knocked down the current UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling in a sparring session!
Zabit Magomedsharipov unceremoniously retired from Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). A report from MMA Fighting confirms that the fighter has informed the UFC about his decision very recently. That brings an end to the Dagestani fighter’s short but memorable run in the UFC.
He came into the promotion in 2017 and competed 6 times within 2 years before going on a hiatus. Following a win over Calvin Kattar in 2019, the 31-year-old did not compete in light of a health complication. His team commented that Zabit will not rush into the Octagon until he makes a full recovery.
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However, it seems like Zabit is in no mood to come back as he has aspirations to become a doctor. Pursuing medical studies is a very time confusing task. Hence, balancing his studies and maintaining a career in fighting is almost near impossible. Although it is shame that the world of MMA is losing a bright prospect, the fans will have to respect Zabit’s decision.
Aljamain Sterling talks about sparring with Zabit Magomedsharipov
After the recent reports regarding Zabit’s recent retirement, a video from 2021 resurfaced where Aljamain Sterling spoke about sparring the featherweight fighter. In an interview with MMA journalist James Lynch stated that Zabit caught him off guard and knocked him down during a sparring session in 2017. He said,
“We sparred, (Zabit) got the better of me for sure. He put me down with a 360 roundhouse kick. It closed my eyes, tucked my head in, and caught me just at the back of my neck. So that’s the story on that. It wasn’t like malicious or anything.”
“No no no (I was not knocked out cold), I was still there, I saw him but it was definitely slow motion. I was definitely dazed and I was like ‘yeah’ and I was kind of waved my hand like ‘I’m good.’ Live to fight another day.”
Aljo also commented on how deceiving Zabit’s physique was. Sterling stated that Magomedsharipov does not seem like the biggest guy in the world from afar due to his tall frame. However, once he started sparring with Zabit, Aljo realised how physically imposing the fighter really was.
While Zabit may have retired, Aljamain Sterling is very much active in the UFC. Fresh off his first title defence at UFC 273, The Funk Master will once again be back in action as he is reportedly set to take on TJ Dillashaw at UFC 279.
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