Zabit Magomedsharipov has made quite the claim about a UFC offer he supposedly declined.
Fans were stunned when Magomedsharipov walked away from pro MMA competition. He was riding a whopping 14-fight winning streak. Magomedsharipov was also closer than ever to receiving a UFC title opportunity. He defeated Calvin Katter via unanimous decision back in November 2019. That would end up being his last pro MMA fight.
Aljermain Sterling talking about the time when Zabit Magomedsharipov knocked him out during a spar with a spinning kick pic.twitter.com/zMV4W0Yn26
— Ched (@makhachedov) July 22, 2023
Zabit Magomedsharipov Rejected UFC Title Opportunity?
It was disappointing to fight fans that someone on the cusp of greatness would walk away from the sport, but the UFC apparently did make an effort to try to change Magomedsharipov’s mind. Speaking to URF Media (via Sport24), Magomedsharipov claimed that the UFC did try to bring him back with a massive opportunity.
“It was the same, they immediately offered a battle for the belt, but I still said no,” Magomedsharipov said.
Magomedsharipov was the number three-ranked UFC featherweight before he was removed from the rankings due to inactivity. It’s rare for someone in his spot to walk away so soon, but he did so saving himself from potential brain damage, a harsh reality in combat sports.
Last year, Magomedsharipov mentioned what led to his inactivity. The former top-ranked UFC featherweight said that at one point, no one wanted to fight him. He also mentioned injuries and an illness that plagued him along the way.
Magomedsharipov also mentioned that he was promised a UFC title shot, but it ended up being a broken promise. With Magomedsharipov’s latest claim, perhaps the UFC tried sweetening the deal by promising the title opportunity once again.
The former UFC fighter has made it clear that he feels the ship has sailed on a return to prizefighting. With that said, Magomedsharipov has admitted that sometimes he has that itch when he watches fights or is training with his friends.
Zabit Magomedsharipov was one of the most hyped prospects in UFC history but retired due lingering health issues.
Would Zabit become UFC Featherweight Champion if he never retired?
• (18-1)
• 6 KOs
• 7 submissions
• ACB Featherweight Champion
pic.twitter.com/hEj3QIPgbV— COMBAT SPORTS TODAY (@CSTodayNews) July 21, 2023
