Legend has it “Shara Bullet” has never shot for a takedown in a fight – and he doesn’t plan on changing that Saturday at UFC Fight Night 250.
Shara Magomedov wants fans to know that while both he and opponent Michael Page are elite on the feet, there’s a difference in their attack.
“He’s a 10-time kickboxing champion with light contact kickboxing,” Magomedov told MMA Junkie on Tuesday through a Russian-language interpreter. “I’m a Russian muay Thai champion. I’ve fought in stadiums in Thailand and other places. I have the status of Master of Sports in different fighting categories, in different fighting sports. I have better striking. I have better cardio. I think when we’re in the octagon together, there’s going to be nowhere for him to run.”
“… That’s different because kickboxers they usually just fight for points. They lightly touch. They tap. They slap, almost. But when it comes to muay Thai and Lethwei, the folks who do those type of sports, they kick and hit so hard as to break a bone of their opponent. It’s every punch and every hit could be a fight-ending punch.”
Through four UFC appearances, Magomedov (15-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) has two decision wins and two knockout finishes. A strike-happy fighter, Magomedov often spends much of his defensive effort trying to fend off opponents’ grappling attempts. Don’t expect the script to flip Saturday vs. Page (22-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) at ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“I’ve had 20 fights in MMA at this point, and I’ve never went for a takedown,” Magomedov said. “I watched his fights. It doesn’t look like he goes for takedowns too much. But I’m going to be that person. I’m going to make MVP be the first one to jump for a takedown.”
If he wins, Magomedov will be 5-0 in the UFC. Where will a victory land him, he’s not exactly sure. But he thinks victory will prove to the world that he’s one of the best in the world.
“It shows that I’m one of the best strikers when it comes to the middleweight division or the welterweight division,” Magomedov said. “I’m going to show when it comes to my striking, there’s no equals to me. In this fight, on my side, is the strength, the power. On his side is the speed and the movement.
“… As for the knockout on Feb. 1, all I’m going to say is, do not blink. Just watch the fight. You want to see it. You don’t want to miss anything.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 250.
