Shara Magomedov is set to face his toughest test yet in Saudi Arabia on February 1. The one-eyed Russian KO artist has become a fan favorite during his short UFC stint.
‘Bullet’ is fresh off a double-spinning backfist finish over Armen Petrosyan at UFC 308 last month.
Now he’s reportedly been booked to face a welterweight contender known for knocking people out.
BREAKING: Shara Magomedov has agreed to face Michael ‘Venom’ Page in Saudi Arabia on February 1.
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) November 14, 2024
Per his manager @Rizvan_RM pic.twitter.com/pOngqaKUsF
Shara Magomedov vs Michael Page confirmed by manager
On Thursday, Red Corner MMA confirmed Shara Magomedov’s next fight with his manager Rizvan Magomedov, who claims that Michael ‘Venom’ Page will step up to middleweight to take on his star client.
The Englishman earned himself a fierce reputation fighting for Bellator, where he fractured someone’s skull and obliterated another opponent’s knee to put together a scary highlight-reel of knockouts.
Since joining the UFC earlier this year, Page has gone 1-1 in fights with Kevin Holland and Ian Garry.
Despite doing well against two top 170lb contenders, he’s made his desire to test the waters at middleweight against Magomedov clear.
“You don’t even have to wait too long,” Page recently said about his next fight.
“That one there [Shara Magomedov], I’ll just take straight away just for the fun of it. I’m in shape now, ready to go. So that’s a good fight for me, I think. Just a nice stand-up fight for everybody, just to come back to the game.
“And like I said, leave my boy Izzy alone. He’s trying to get back to the belt, to the throne, so I’ll take his place.”
Conor McGregor expects to headline on February 1
Conor McGregor could make his comeback on the same card as Magomedov vs Page.
‘Notorious’ hasn’t fought since breaking his leg during a Dustin Poirier trilogy bout at UFC 264 in July 2021.
A fight with Michael Chandler was supposed to take place at UFC 303 in June, but McGregor broke his toe in training and pulled out of the event.
Now he’s without an opponent after Chandler opted to take a rematch with Charles Oliviera at UFC 309 on November 16.
In a recent interview with Bloody Elbow, the former dual-weight UFC champion claimed that he will be making his return to the Octagon in Saudi Arabia on February 1 and named Dan Hooker as his opponent.
Since then, Dana White has insisted no date or opponent has been decided for McGregor’s comeback.
However, with a show taking place in the Middle East on the date McGregor predicted, it seems likely that he’s been approached about potentially headlining.
Only time will tell if MMA’s greatest legend will finally return to fight in Saudi Arabia early next year.