UFC Rumors: Insider Drops a Huge Hint on Zabit Magomedsharipov’s Comeback

Zabit Magomedsharipov was one of the most electrifying fighters to ever step inside the UFC Octagon. A true martial artist, the Dagestani featherweight combined elite striking, creative kicks, and a relentless grappling game that left opponents struggling to keep up. His unorthodox style, coupled with his high fight IQ, made him a nightmare matchup for anyone in the division. From the moment he arrived in the UFC, Zabit made it clear he was a force to be reckoned with. He racked up an impressive six-fight winning streak, defeating top contenders like Calvin Kattar and Jeremy Stephens. His unique ability to blend striking with wrestling and submissions had fans and analysts alike labeling him as a future champion.

However, the undefeated UFC fighter retired pretty early from the sport. He announced the news of his retirement with a post on Instagram which had many fans questioning his decision. The 34-year-old wrote, I know that many of you were waiting for my return, there was not a single day that someone did not ask when is my next fight was. But I decided to end my pro sports career. Disruptions of fights, and then health problems – all this did not allow me to perform/fight earlier. I have recovered now, but I don’t feel the way I used to.”  The former UFC fighter then added, “I didn’t have time to become a champion, but I think, even without this, I hope I was able to please/entertain you”.

But for the fans, there might be some good news. One of his friends Muskhab Kudiev recently shared a video of the 34-year-old’s training video on Instagram. Magomedsharipov can be seen doing some shadowboxing and looking sharp as ever. His friend shared the video as his story and was also posted by RedFuryMMA Official. The video was captioned as, “His comeback.” Well, this is not the first time that the 34-year-old has hinted about a return. Magomedsharipov made a rare appearance on the Russian podcast URF Media, where he revealed that the UFC had approached him about a potential comeback.

According to the former featherweight contender, the promotion was even willing to grant him an immediate title shot if he decided to come out of retirement. However, despite the tempting offer, Zabit made it clear that he has no interest in stepping back into the Octagon, ultimately turning down the UFC’s proposal. While his training video might have excited a lot of fans about his return, there is hardly any motivation left from him to get inside the Octagon. During a conversation last year in 2024, the 34-year-old pointed out he is only focused on training and not competing.

Zabit Magomedsharipov has already refused the UFC once in his career

On August 1, 2024, Zabit Magomedsharipov sat down for an interview with Red Corner MMA, where he was asked whether the UFC had ever reached out about a potential comeback. The 18-1 featherweight standout confirmed that the promotion did, in fact, invite him to a meeting in the US. However, unwilling to make any commitments, Zabit ultimately chose to decline the invitation.

Does Zabit Magomedsharipov ever consider a return to MMA? While he still trains intensely and occasionally entertains the thought of fighting, that’s as far as it goes. For him, the love of training remains, but the desire to step back into the cage and compete for a championship is simply not there.

This statement led fight fans to speculate that the Dagestani fighter was angling for a bigger payday from the UFC. However, to everyone’s surprise, that wasn’t the case either. During the interview, the former UFC fighter said, “No, it’s not. They promised me a lot of things, but that’s not the point. I simply made up my mind. I don’t want to prove anything to anybody, come back, go through training camps… I have no desire to return. And it’s not about money. Whatever they offer me, I don’t think I will ever come back.” 

So will the Dagestani fighter change his mind and return to the UFC for his second stint? Or is his latest video just a glimpse of his training session? What do you think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.