THE APEX TIMES
The longtime UFC bantamweight name, last seen competing in 2019, is set to return to action under grappling rules on July 5, with an opponent described as a top-15 bantamweight contender.
Zabit Magomedsharipov is scheduled to return to competition on July 5, but the outing will not be an MMA fight. Instead, he has booked a grappling match, a move that indicates a cautious, lower-contact path back for a fighter who has been away from regular octagon competition since his last UFC win in 2019.
According to the report, the July 5 bout will be contested under grappling rules and will feature an opponent identified as being ranked among the top 15 UFC bantamweights. That matters because bantamweight rankings are typically tied to MMA performance and future title-relevance, not grappling matchups, so the booking suggests Magomedsharipov is aiming for meaningful competitive resistance without the full demands of a standard UFC-style camp.
The timing also stands out. Magomedsharipov’s absence has lasted long enough that many fans associate him primarily with his earlier UFC run rather than any recent in-cage momentum. With the return framed as grappling, the bout can serve multiple purposes, including reacclimating to live training intensity, testing timing and pressure against a high-level opponent, and rebuilding confidence through a format where technique and positional control are the centerpiece.
For Magomedsharipov, the storyline is also about option-setting. A grappling match does not replace the market logic of UFC competition, where rankings, promotional plans, and title pictures typically move through MMA results. However, it can still provide a clear public indicator that he is preparing to compete again and willing to face a credible opponent-level challenge.
For the bantamweight division, the booking is less about immediate title implications and more about reputation and activity. A high-ranked bantamweight choosing to take part in a grappling contest reflects the growing crossover appeal between mixed martial arts and grappling-focused competition, even when the stakes are not championship rounds or pay-per-view headliners.
It is not yet clear, from the available reporting, who the opponent is or how the matchup will be structured in detail beyond grappling rules and the opponent’s placement among the top 15. Additional confirmation on the opponent identity and event specifics will be the main thing to watch as July 5 approaches.
If the grappling return goes smoothly, the next question will be whether Magomedsharipov transitions back to MMA under a new timeline. If it proves challenging, a longer grappling stretch or a different competition plan could follow, but the July 5 date is at least an explicit step toward being seen in real competition again, after years of silence.
