Both Magomedov and Bisping are blind in one eye, and ‘Bullet’ wants to become the second such fighter to win a title at 185 pounds.
One-eyed fighters unite!
Shara “Bullet” Magomedov is somewhat unique in the world of MMA: he is blind in one eye, yet has still managed to make it to the top of the sport. He competes in the UFC’s middleweight division where he’s 3-0 (14-0 MMA) and an exciting prospect.
He takes on Armen Petrosyan this weekend at UFC 308, and paid homage to one-eyed fight pioneer Michael Bisping during today’s UFC 308 media day event. Bisping won the 185 pound belt despite having to lie on the medicals to even make it into the cage. Magomedov can get cleared without sneaking about — in the Middle East at least — but still sees “The Count” as an inspiration.
.@Shara_Bullet77 Magomedov finally meets Michael @Bisping, who he called his inspiration to proceed in martial arts after his eye injury #UFC308 pic.twitter.com/8GBCxlKVO6
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) October 22, 2024
“When it comes to Bisping, yes he is a motivation because he’s somebody who has went down this path already,” Magomedov said. “He’s laid down the path and he should set an example for me. So it’s much easier to follow somebody’s path as opposed to wander around in the dark.”
“I think the way he is a motivator for me and for other people is he said that everything is possible. The most important thing is not to let your hands down and keep on going forward and keep on chasing your dream, and then it’s possible.”
“Bullet” has been extremely active, but wasn’t sure if he’d be able to technically beat the record for most fights in a year (5). He did say he wanted to fight on the UFC’s upcoming Macau and Saudi Arabia cards.
As for those who might try to take advantage of his limited vision in the cage?
“I have 19 fights in my career, and every opponent has tried to take advantage of that,” Shara said. “And it didn’t go their way.”