Magomedsharipov Set To Grapple UFC's Zalal

Former UFC featherweight contender Zabit Magomedsharipov will face top-ranked UFC fighter Youssef Zalal in the main event of ACBJJ 22, the promotion announced Monday.

The grappling match takes place Aug. 30 in Istanbul at 154 pounds. ACBJJ also confirmed that former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad will compete on the card against ex-Oktagon titleholder Kerim Engizek in a 198-pound bout.

Magomedsharipov Returns After Injury Withdrawal

Magomedsharipov pulled out of a July grappling match against Raul Rosas Jr. with an injury, per MMA Fighting. That contest would have marked his first competitive appearance since retiring from the UFC in 2020.

Zalal returns to action after losing to Aljamain Sterling in a UFC main event this past April, ending a nine-fight unbeaten streak that included five submission victories. Muhammad also comes off a loss, dropping a decision to Gabriel Bonfim in his last UFC outing to extend his skid to three fights, though he won a wrestling match against Ben Askren at RAF earlier this year.

Engizek rode a 17-fight MMA winning streak before consecutive title losses to Krzysztof Jotko in 2026.

Reported via:

• MMA Fighting — Zabit Magomedsharipov set to grapple UFC featherweight