Zabit Magomedsharipov has officially joined ACBJJ, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu organization announced Monday.
ACBJJ president Zaurbek Khasiev confirmed the signing with characteristic brevity:
“Major decisions are made in silence. Negotiations are complete. Zabit Magomedsharipov joins ACBJJ. We are assembling the elite. Stay tuned.”
The move marks a surprising return for the 34-year-old Russian, whose absence from competition has stretched more than five years. Magomedsharipov last appeared inside the octagon at UFC FN163 in November 2019, where he won against American contender Calvin Kattar by unanimous decision.
That victory capped an unblemished UFC run that began in September 2017. Across six promotional appearances in the featherweight division 145 lbs (65.8 kg), Magomedsharipov displayed the creative striking and grappling acumen that made him one of the sport’s most compelling prospects, winning every contest during his tenure.
His career trajectory seemed poised for championship contention when he was scheduled to meet Yair Rodriguez in August 2020. However, Rodriguez’s withdrawal from that contest became a turning point. Magomedsharipov never returned to competition.
By April 2021, the UFC removed him from their official rankings due to extended inactivity. A year later, he formally announced his retirement, citing persistent health concerns that prevented his continuation in mixed martial arts. His professional MMA record stands at 18 wins against a single loss.
There have been many questions about his comeback into the UFC over the years however Magomedsharipov seemed to hint at times that due to their dishonesty towards him, he wasn’t interested. There was no official confirmation one way or another. At one point there were rumors he was trying to become a medical professional but those turned out to be inaccurate.
Now, after years away from any competitive platform, Magomedsharipov enters the world of Brazilian jiu-jitsu competition through ACBJJ’s doors. Whether this transition represents a full-scale comeback or a different chapter in his athletic journey remains to be seen, but the organization’s emphasis on assembling elite talent suggests they view the Russian as a marquee addition to their roster.
