Former UFC featherweight standout Zabit Magomedsharipov is eager to finally test his skills against surging UFC bantamweight Raul Rosas Jr. in a high-stakes grappling match. The bout would serve as a long-awaited rescheduling of their previously planned encounter under the ACBJJ banner earlier this year.
Magomedsharipov was originally slated to face Rosas in a highly anticipated grappling showdown in July in Moscow, Russia. However, an unfortunate injury forced the Russian martial arts star to withdraw from the card at the eleventh hour. In a bid to keep the matchup alive, his brother, Khasan Magomedsharipov, stepped in on short notice to take the fight.
The replacement bout did not go the way of the Magomedsharipov camp. Rosas, known for his relentless submission game, needed just a little over five minutes to secure a dominant victory, forcing Khasan to tap out to a rear-naked choke.
Reflecting on the event and Rosas’ growing reputation on the mat, Zabit recently addressed the grappling pedigree of the young contender during an interview with Red Corner MMA. While acknowledging that Rosas possesses elite-level submission skills, Zabit offered some context regarding his brother’s performance, pointing to the logistical hurdles Khasan faced leading up to the match.
According to Zabit, the grueling demands of a difficult weight cut and the physical toll of severe jet lag following a long-distance flight heavily impaired his brother’s performance on fight night. Despite these mitigating circumstances, Zabit was deeply impressed by how efficiently Rosas capitalized on the opportunity, particularly praising the 22-year-old’s uncanny ability to transition to the back and lock in chokes.
Zabit now wants the opportunity to settle the score himself. Describing Rosas as a formidable grappler rather than an overwhelming physical specimen, the Russian striker believes he holds the advantage in raw, physical strength. At the same time, he recognizes that Rosas presents a unique and compelling stylistic puzzle through pure technique.
"He’s a good grappler," Zabit told Red Corner MMA, analyzing the bantamweight’s skillset. "I can tell he is good at taking the back. It would be exciting to have a grappling match with him. When we had a face-off in Moscow, I felt he wasn’t that strong. But he has the grappling skills. I think it would be an interesting bout. Khasan was a bit jetlagged after a flight. I think the weight cut and everything affected him. [Rosas] is not that athletic. But he is very skilled; he knows wrestling and he is good at taking the back and catching the neck, like he did with Khasan. I believe I’m stronger in terms of raw power. But in terms of pure skills, it would be an interesting matchup."
Rosas has continued to build significant momentum in the grappling world beyond his victory over Khasan Magomedsharipov. In another eye-opening performance, the young star recently secured a submission victory over former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington, forcing Covington to tap out via a rear-naked choke at a Hype FC event.
Zabit watched that match closely and believes that Covington’s defeat largely stemmed from a lack of respect for the rising star’s submission acumen. In Zabit’s view, veteran fighters cannot afford to take technical shortcuts or let their guard down against someone as opportunistic on the ground as Rosas.
"Colby underestimated him," Zabit noted regarding the high-profile upset. "You can’t expose your back so easily."
For Zabit, a potential grappling match against Rosas represents part of his broader return to active martial arts competition. The enigmatic Russian striker recently stepped back into the competitive arena after a lengthy absence of nearly seven years away from the sport. His initial comeback took place under the ACBJJ banner in August, where he delivered a stellar performance to defeat Youssef Zalal via unanimous decision in a grappling encounter.
Demonstrating that his competitive fire is fully reignited, Zabit has signed a multi-match promotional deal with Real American Freestyle (RAF). He is currently deep in preparation for his next major outing, where he is scheduled to make his promotional debut against fellow elite striker Giga Chikadze in a freestyle wrestling matchup set to take place on November 14 in Abu Dhabi.
As Zabit prepares for his upcoming test against Chikadze, the prospect of a future meeting with Rosas continues to generate significant interest within the global MMA community. Whether the two promotions or the athletes themselves can officially bring the matchup to fruition remains to be seen, but Zabit’s clear interest ensures that the narrative surrounding a potential clash with "El Nino Problema" will remain a major talking point for combat sports fans in the months ahead.
