MMA's "Biggest What-If" Coming Back: Zabit Magomedsharipov Returns July 5

Zabit Magomedsharipov (18-1 MMA) made a comeback today. The former No. 3 UFC featherweight, who in 2022 walked away from MMA and hadn’t fought since November 2019, fights Dan Hooker (24-12 MMA) on July 5. Six years later, he returns to action.

When he retired in 2022, many dubbed him “MMA’s biggest what if,” a UFC fighter who went 6-0, rose to No. 3 in the featherweight division, and never had a chance to fight for a title. Most thought that was it, but it turns out it’s not.

Zabit Magomedsharipov Returns After Six Years Away

Just to give you an idea. Zabit'Magomedsharipov's most recent fight was a win by decision against Calvin Kattar at UFC on ESPN 6 in November 2019. Since then, everything in the sport has changed. Champions have arrived and left. Divisions have shifted repeatedly.

Fighters who were considered prospects when Zabit Magomedsharipov abandoned the scene are now veterans. He's been gone so long that an entire generation of UFC fans may not have heard his name before.

The craziest part about it is the people who saw him then will say they've never seen anyone more talented. The man was 6-foot-1 and fighting at 145. He threw spinning elbows that looked like they were straight out a video game.

He won his first six UFC fights, going 6-0 and beating Kattar, Jeremy Stephens, and Kyle Bochniak in a Fight of the Night that had the entire arena losing their minds.

He was right there at number 3 in the rankings and one fight away from a title shot, but then his body just fell apart.

Why Zabit Magomedsharipov Left

Zabit's absence wasn't about motivation at first, it was medical. He dealt with diaphragm spasms that wrecked his cardio (which was always the one knock on him,) then an immune system issue that required surgery.

He needed more recovery time and then the pandemic hit. A scheduled fight with Yair Rodriguez that was supposed to happen fell through because of injuries. By 2022 he was removed from the rankings entirely and the motivation was gone.

"He's tired of fighting and no longer holds the love he once did for the sport," sources close to him said at the time. He even posted on social media about potentially going into medicine. That was it and everyone moved on.

Now at 31 years old, something changed. Nobody knows exactly what sparked it. All we know is he's training again and ACBJJ gave him Dan Hooker on July 5.

Dan Hooker Is No Welcome Back Gift

This is not a tune up. Hooker has fought literally everyone, including Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler, Islam Makhachev, Arnold Allen, Jalin Turner. He has been in wars at the highest level for years and even at 36 he's still competitive with the best lightweights and featherweights in the world.  There's no easing back in, no regional level opponent, Just straight into the deep end against a veteran who will test every single thing about Zabit's game from the first bell.

The cardio question is going to be louder than ever. Zabit Magomedsharipov's gas tank was always the concern even when he was active. Now he's coming back for a grappling match after six years off, multiple surgeries, and zero competition.  That's the real test here.

Zabit Magomedsharipov: The Biggest Comeback Story of 2026

Ronda Rousey came back after almost a decade and armbarred Carano in 17 seconds. Shane Burgos just announced his return after three years away, but Zabit Magomedsharipov's comeback might be the most compelling one of all because nobody expected it. He didn't hint at it, he didn't tease it on social media for months. He just showed up.

"MMA's Biggest What-If" might finally get his answer.