Following his controversial victory against Michel Pereira , Shara Magomedov is already aiming for bigger challenges within the UFC's middleweight division (up to 83,9 kg). The Russian, who has been gaining prominence for his aggressive style and striking skills, revealed his desire to face Sean Strickland and stated that he believes he has the level to overcome the current champion of the category.
In an interview with Red Corner MMA, Shara stated that he is not impressed by the reputation Strickland has built in the event and highlighted that he believes he is at a higher technical level than the American. The striking specialist also revealed his confidence that he is prepared to face the middleweight champion and stated that he would accept a possible challenge without needing a long preparation period.
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“I’m going to show that my level is superior to Sean Strickland ’s . I’m ready for it today, tomorrow. I’m ready to show that Sean Strickland isn’t as fierce as everyone thinks. I’m going to show that my level is superior to Sean Strickland ’s ,” declared Shara Magomedov.
The statement comes after the Russian fighter was involved in one of the most talked-about moments of his early UFC career. Against Michel Pereira , Shara secured a victory by judges' decision, but the result divided opinions among fans, who questioned the athlete's behavior during the fight.
Despite his confidence, 'Pirate' is still a long way from a match against Strickland.
Shara defeated Michel Pereira in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC
Now, the Russian's goal is to continue gaining ground within the middleweight division and turn his current momentum into opportunities against more prominent opponents. Despite mentioning Sean Strickland as a possible target, Shara Magomedov is still far from a fight against the current champion and needs to overcome new challenges before dreaming of a title shot.
On the other hand, Strickland has established himself as one of the toughest fighters in the organization. Known for his constant pressure, physical stamina, and high volume of strikes, the American won the middleweight title and remains one of the top contenders in the division. A potential future fight between the two would pit completely different styles against each other in the octagon.
Shara Magomedov fighters in MMA
Shara, 32, is one of the top prospects in the middleweight division. Known for his aggressive style, creative striking, and high-level technical blows, the Russian quickly gained prominence within the organization. With a game based on stand-up fighting and great knockout power, the athlete seeks to establish himself among the top names in the category.
The fighter began his professional MMA career in 2017 and joined the UFC in 2023. Throughout his career, 'Bullet' built a record of 17 wins and one loss. Among his main triumphs are victories over Bruno Blindado , Armen Petrosyan , Michal Oleksiejczuk , and Michel Pereira . He has six wins and one loss in the organization.
Shara's only career loss came against Englishman Michael Page at UFC 294 , where he was defeated by unanimous decision. Despite the setback, the Russian is still considered one of the most promising middleweight fighters and is looking for new opportunities to climb the division's rankings.
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