Shara ‘Bullet’ Magomedov has been told that he will be able to fight in America – with a couple of key caveats.
The Dagestani striking specialist is undefeated in his career, and has exploded on to the scene in the UFC with wins in his first two fights. But his progress has been stalled by perceived limitations regarding his lack of an eye, which was believed to stop him from fighting in America.
But it now seems that the Russian can fight in particular spots in America, and he is demanding more fights from UFC boss Dana White. However, he must first get through the former light-heavyweight Michal Oleksiejczuk in his next outing this Saturday as he is granted his wish of regular activity.
Shara Magomedov given hope for US debut as he is told he can fight in America
Shara Magomedov recently visited the United States to film a movie in California, just days after being told that he would be kept in the Middle East for the foreseeable future in his fighting career. This shut down concerns about his ability to acquire a visa due to his past indiscretions.
Now, it seems that the concern is over his having just one eye, which would keep him from competing in major cities such as Las Vegas or New York. But he has been told that he could get special exceptions in some cases, while other states will allow him given past precedent.
“I was told that I might no be able to fight in some states,” he told Red Corner MMA ahead of his return to action this weekend. “As it would take some special agreements. But I can still take part in many events in the United States.
“I just need to get my spot on those cards in good time, I was ready to fight in the US for my local fans. But you know that I still favor my fans from the CIS countries [Commonwealth of Independent States], good Russian men, people from the Caucasus.
“So I would like to fight according to their time zone so it would be convenient for them to watch my fights. If I fight in the US my fans will have to get up very early plus my corner men can’t get there as many of them don’t have the visa.”
Shara Magomedov wanted short-notice fight during visit to America for first movie role
The fast-rising UFC star’s recent visit to America saw him make his big screen debut, shooting an as-yet-unreleased movie. He also spent time in Las Vegas where he trained and took in UFC 303, and he has now admitted he was hoping to earn a short-notice fight.
Magomedov had to wait eight months from his debut in Abu Dhabi last October in order to get his next outing in Riyadh. But he wants to be more active, adding: “While I was there for that movie I thought maybe I could fight on a short notice there.
“But there were no options at that time so the next option was this event in Abu Dhabi so I thought that was a chance I could not miss out on. I flew here right away and asked Dana White to get me a fight here and he got me what I wanted.”
Shara Magomedov details ‘offer he couldn’t refuse’ from Dana White
Magomedov had a meeting with promotional boss Dana White while in Las Vegas, where the pair discussed a number of items including his future in America and his film role. He even joked that the UFC CEO had trolled him over his part in the movie.
And when it came to this weekend’s card in Abu Dhabi, Magomedov says that White made him ‘an offer he couldn’t refuse’. “I just had one desire and he satisfied it,” Magomedov added. “I want to fight more often so he gave me this opportunity.
“Actually, he let me fight in the co-main event, so it’s a chance I need to take and capitalize on. Then I can start to ask for something like more money or top opponents.”