Zabit Magomedsharipov Addresses Aljamain Sterling KO Rumors: ‘The Video Is in the Archives’

Long before Aljamain Sterling became a UFC champion and Zabit Magomedsharipov became one of the division's biggest sensations, the two crossed paths, not inside the octagon, under the bright lights during a fight night, but at a gym. 

Back then, the “Funkmaster” was still a relatively unknown bantamweight, while Magomedsharipov was already beginning to look like something entirely different at 145 lbs, courtesy of his clinical striking game. For Sterling, however, it apparently became a particularly memorable lesson when a spinning kick left him seeing stars.

Now, the ex-UFC fighter has offered his own brief and rather cheeky version of what the actual truth is.

Zabit Magomedsharipov Addresses the Rumors About the Sterling KO

Recently, during a candid conversation with Red Corner MMA, the 35-year-old did not exactly deny getting the better of the former champion that day. Magomedsharipov simply made sure to put the whole thing into context.

“He was small back then. The video is in the archives and it can't be shown,” Magomedsharipov said during the segment when the interviewer insisted on knowing the truth.

For the unversed, Sterling himself has previously explained that he was not physically prepared for the session when he was asked to jump in with the Russian featherweight. What followed was a showcase of Magomedsharipov’s unorthodox strikes, including side kicks, jumping switch kicks, Sambo throws, and, eventually, the spinning attack that left Sterling unable to properly respond.

Sterling recalled closing his eyes as Zabit spun before feeling the kick land. He said everything immediately became blurry and that, although he could still see what was happening around him, his body simply would not respond.

It was the kind of gym story that might have disappeared into the archives if Sterling (26-5-0) had not brought it up years later. Instead, it became another reminder of why Magomedsharipov was considered such a tantalizing talent.

Zabit Magomedov Retires From MMA

Unfortunately, the former ACB champion walked away from MMA in 2022 with an 18-1 record, having gone 6-0 in the UFC and climbed as high as No. 3 in the featherweight rankings. He still has no regrets about leaving the UFC. His victory over Calvin Kattar in 2019 was the final step toward a title shot. Yet the UFC never really gave the Russian a shot at the gold.

Now, more than seven years after his last competitive appearance, Magomedsharipov is preparing to return to competition. He is scheduled to face UFC featherweight Youssef Zalal in a grappling match at ACBJJ 22 on August 30 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Sterling’s Reaction to the KO Story

Sterling, for his part, took Zabit's response in exactly the spirit it was intended. Rather than dispute his former gymmate’s version of events, the 37-year-old leaned into it.

“Zabit, you’re a true gentleman. I was really small back then. I didn’t know you then but I obviously knew how good you were right after that day,” Sterling responded via a brief yet timed tweet.

Ever since the infamous gym KO against Magomedsharipov, Sterling has become an established UFC veteran who has fought the best fighters in two divisions.