There is a lot that is beyond special when it comes to Sharaputdin Magomedov. From his undefeated status, nearly eighty percent knockout rate, distinctive red hair, and a face that has earned him roles as a villain in action films, the Dagestani stands out. But undoubtedly the most unique thing about him is that he has only one functional eye.

For the unversed, ‘Shara Bullet’ injured his right eye during a training session in 2016, which led to serious complications. The undefeated middleweight would have around eight surgeries to try and save that eye, but to no avail, leading him to go blind in one eye. But despite this massive setback, he would continue fighting. One of the reasons that made him determined to continue chasing his dream of becoming a UFC champion was the example set by former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping.

“When it comes to Bisping, yes, he is a motivation because he’s somebody who has went down this path already. He’s laid down the path and he set an example for me, so it’s much easier to follow somebody’s path as opposed to wander around in the dark. I think the way he is a motivator for me and other people is he said that everything is possible. The most important thing is not to let your hands down and keep on going forward and keep on chasing your dream and then it’s possible,” Magomedov told reporters via a translator at the UFC 308 pre-fight press conference.

Bisping, of course, injured his eye in 2013 during a knockout loss to Vitor Belfort in their Fight Night clash. Fearing that he would not be licensed to fight if the Athletic Commissions across the States were made aware of his one-eyed blindness, Bisping would hide it from the world. And in 2016, the Englishman would shockingly defeat then-champion Luke Rockhold to become the middleweight champion with only one eye. And the Dagestani, who is set to face fellow unranked middleweight Armen Petrosyan on the main card of UFC 308 tonight, takes inspiration from ‘The Count’.

Sharaputdin Magomedov has his eye on a UFC record

Sharaputdin Magomedov has already fought twice this year. His UFC 308 clash against Petrosyan would be his third fight in just five months. And the Armenian, who has previously trained with ‘Shara Bullet’ is a significant challenge for the Dagestani. Petrosyan possesses a sharp kickboxing game, which means their clash will probably be an exciting all-striking affair that would give Magomedov a chance to showcase his own excellent game on the feet.

And if the Dagestani manages to win and emerge unharmed from the bout, he has already voiced his plans to ask UFC CEO Dana White for more fights this year. Magomedov claimed at the UFC 308 pre-fight press conference that he wants to break the UFC record for having the most fights in a calendar year.

At the moment that record stands at five fights in a year and is held by twelve fighters. And with just two months to go before the end of the year, it seems extremely unlikely that ‘Shara Bullet’ would be able to beat it. Not to mention only one 2024 UFC card is set to be held outside North America, on which the Dagestani would be sanctioned to fight.

After all, in the US and Canada, he is unlikely to get licensed because of being injured in one eye, but he could conceivably fight on the Macau Fight Night card next month. But to do that he will first have to get through Petrosyan, which is why the UFC 308 fight is so important for Magomedov. What do you think about Sharaputdin Magomedov taking inspiration from Michael Bisping?