Sharabutdin Magomedov once again showcased his violent striking arsenal at UFC on ABC 9, outlasting the durable Marc-André Barriault in an action-packed three-round war. From the opening moments, “Shara Bullet” worked behind thudding leg kicks, crisp jabs, and creative high kicks, picking apart Barriault from range.

After a dominant first round, Magomedov had to survive a gritty Round 2 where Barriault closed the distance and bloodied him with clinch work and uppercuts. But the Dagestani striker rebounded in the third, stunning Barriault with a flying knee and flurry of clean strikes to secure a clear-cut unanimous decision. The win marked Magomedov’s fifth in the UFC and earned him another “Fight of the Night” bonus, proving he’s more than just flash. He’s becoming a real contender at 185 pounds.

Next up for Sharabutdin Magomedov should be a showdown with #15-ranked Roman Kopylov. It’s a matchup that checks every box: stylistically electric, divisional relevance, and a clear test for both men. Kopylov is coming off a competitive loss to Paulo Costa but previously knocked out Chris Curtis and Claudio Ribeiro with his signature body kicks and precision punching.

Both men are primarily strikers with highlight-reel finishes and a flair for the dramatic, making this a guaranteed banger for fans. More importantly, a win for either solidifies their place among the middleweight elite.

Kopylov is a clean technician, with excellent footwork, patient timing, and a growing resume of finishes against durable opponents. Magomedov, on the other hand, brings chaos, flashy techniques, unpredictability, and a relentless pace. This contrast in striking styles creates a compelling narrative: precision vs. volume, patience vs. pressure. Whether it headlines a Fight Night or sits on a pay-per-view main card, Shara vs. Kopylov is the perfect litmus test for who’s ready to crack into the top 10 of the UFC’s ever-shifting middleweight hierarchy.

Last Five Fights – Sharabutdin Magomedov:

1. Win over Marc-André Barriault – Decision (unanimous), UFC on ABC 9 (July 26, 2025)
2. Loss to Michael Page – Decision (unanimous), UFC Fight Night (February 1, 2025)
3. Win over Armen Petrosyan – KO (spinning backfists), UFC 308 (October 26, 2024)
4. Win over Michał Oleksiejczuk – Decision (unanimous), UFC on ABC (August 3, 2024)
5. Win over Antonio Trócoli – TKO (knee and punches), UFC on ABC (June 22, 2024)

Last Five Fights – Roman Kopylov:

1. Loss to Paulo Costa – Decision (unanimous), UFC 318 (July 19, 2025)
2. Win over Chris Curtis – TKO (head kick), UFC Fight Night (January 11, 2025)
3. Win over César Almeida – Decision (split), UFC 302 (June 1, 2024)
4. Loss to Anthony Hernandez – Submission (rear-naked choke), UFC 298 (February 17, 2024)
5. Win over Josh Fremd – KO (punch to the body), UFC Fight Night (September 16, 2023)