Few fighters in modern MMA captured fans’ imaginations like Zabit Magomedsharipov. With his wiry frame, matrix-like movement, and a blend of creative striking and high-level grappling, Zabit was often described as a featherweight puzzle no one had yet solved. But just as quickly as he became a top contender, Zabit vanished from the cage. His early retirement left a vacuum in the division and in the hearts of fans who were convinced they were watching a future champion.
But as Zabit stepped away from the spotlight, another Magomedsharipov began stepping into it—his younger brother, Khasan.
Zabit’s Meteoric Rise and Early Exit
Zabit’s UFC run was brief but electric. After dominating in ACB (now ACA), he entered the UFC in 2017 with a lot of hype and delivered on it immediately. His win streak included exciting performances against Jeremy Stephens, Kyle Bochniak (a “Fight of the Year” contender), and Calvin Kattar. He showed off a style rarely seen among Dagestani fighters—he used spinning kicks and unusual striking angles while still maintaining grappling dominance and positional control on the mat.
But health issues, including reported immune system problems and breathing difficulties, began to sideline him.
Zabit’s mysterious decline in the cage was ultimately traced to a diaphragm dysfunction—specifically, recurrent diaphragm spasms. As confirmed by his coach, Mansur Uchakaev, these involuntary muscle contractions in the diaphragm severely limited his ability to take deep breaths, effectively reducing his lung capacity during high-output exchanges. Despite maintaining strong general endurance, Zabit “could not breathe deeply,” which led to visible fatigue and a notable inability to push in later rounds. Complicating the situation further, he also battled an autoimmune-related immune system disorder, which repeatedly sidelined him and even delayed surgery meant to correct the diaphragm issue. His immune suppression raised the risk of post-operative infection, making a return to full training medically unadvisable.
Frustrated by these issues, Zabit officially retired in 2022. It was a quiet, disappointing end to a career that had once promised fireworks.
Khasan Magomedsharipov: The Sharpened Blade
While Zabit’s career ended prematurely, his younger brother Khasan Magomedsharipov has emerged as an upgraded evolution of the Magomedsharipov name—one who could very well complete the legacy Zabit started.
Background and Career So Far
Born in Dagestan and trained in the same martial arts lineage as his brother, Khasan has been immersed in combat sports since childhood. He trains under the guidance of coach Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov’s extended network and continues to sharpen his skills alongside elite fighters at Tiger Muay Thai, DagFighter, and other top camps.
Khasan made his professional MMA debut in 2019 and remains undefeated, boasting a perfect record. As of 2025, he holds an 10-0 record with a mix of submissions, TKOs, and dominant decisions. His composure in the cage belies his youth—he’s not just winning, he’s controlling fights.
He currently fights in PFL MMA, after their merger with Bellator where he quickly gained traction as a serious title contender in the featherweight division. Several of his performances have gone viral due to his slick technique, fight IQ, and striking fluidity.
Fighting Style and Skill Set
While Khasan shares many of the same physical tools and techniques as Zabit—long reach, dynamic kicks, creative footwork—he fights with a more measured approach. He rarely wastes energy. Where Zabit was explosive but sometimes erratic in later rounds, Khasan is deliberate, methodical, and never seems to panic.
Striking:
- Khasan utilises a wide array of kicks: spinning back kicks, question mark kicks, low calf kicks, and switch body kicks.
- He also has a crisp jab and excellent feints, keeping opponents guessing with constant level changes.
- His defense is sharper than Zabit’s; he slips and counters rather than just relying on range.
Grappling:
- Khasan’s wrestling and top control are elite, honed through years of sambo and freestyle wrestling.
- He has clean transitions from takedowns to submission setups, particularly rear-naked chokes and arm-triangle chokes.
- Unlike many flashy strikers, he’s more than happy to drag a fight to the ground and dominate positionally.
Cardio & Composure:
- This is where he really separates himself from his brother. Khasan appears to have better conditioning and pacing.
- He doesn’t rush finishes and can maintain a strong tempo across all three rounds—or five, if needed.
The Future of the Magomedsharipov Legacy
Khasan Magomedsharipov is still young, but he already looks like someone with world championship potential. What’s exciting isn’t just his talent—it’s how he seems to have absorbed the lessons from his brother’s career and refined them.
- Where Zabit dazzled with unpredictability, Khasan balances flash with control.
- Where Zabit sometimes faded late, Khasan finishes strong.
- Where Zabit stepped away, Khasan is pushing forward—steadily, quietly, but with unmistakable intent.
There’s a poetic symmetry to this. Zabit, the revolutionary, may have opened the door. Khasan, the craftsman, might be the one who walks all the way through it—with a championship belt in hand.
Final Thoughts
Zabit Magomedsharipov was one of MMA’s most tantalising “what if” stories—an artist whose canvas was left half-finished. But the Magomedsharipov legacy is far from over. In Khasan, we’re witnessing a second chapter—one that blends the creativity of the first with the cold precision of a champion in the making.
Keep an eye on him. The Magomedsharipov name may still find its way into UFC gold, just not in the way we first imagined.
(Featured image credit courtesy of Bellator MMA)
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