Zabit Magomedsharipov signs with RAF, faces fellow UFC vet in Abu Dhabi

Zabit Magomedsharipov has signed with RAF and will make his return to combat sports after nearly seven years away from competition. The former UFC featherweight will face fellow UFC veteran Giga Chikadze at RAF Abu Dhabi on November 14 at Etihad Arena.

Magomedsharipov last competed in November 2019, when he defeated Calvin Kattar in the main event of UFC Moscow. During his UFC tenure, the 35-year-old compiled an impressive 6-0 record, highlighted by victories over Jeremy Stephens and multiple stoppage wins that showcased his finishing ability.

Chikadze enters the matchup as a 13-fight UFC veteran with a more recent but inconsistent record. The Georgian fighter opened his UFC career with seven consecutive victories before suffering a lopsided unanimous decision loss to Kattar in the main event of UFC Vegas 46 in January 2022. Since that setback, "Ninja" has managed only one win—against Alex Caceres—while dropping his last four octagon appearances.

The RAF Abu Dhabi card features additional notable bouts, including wrestling legend Jordan Burroughs facing Azamat Nurykau, a rematch of their dramatic 2019 world championships meeting that Burroughs won. The event is headlined by a cruiserweight crossover championship match between Colby Covington and Khamzat Chimaev.