UPDATED UFC Featherweight Zabit Magomedsharipov Retires from MMA at 31

Editor's note: The article has been updated at 12 p.m. ET on June 16 to add a statement from the fighter.

It has been more than two-and-a-half years since rising featherweight star Zabit Magomedsharipov last set foot in the UFC’s Octagon. Now he may never be back.

According to a source close to the situation, Magomedsharipov has informed the UFC of his decision to retire from mixed martial arts. That decision has since been confirmed by MMAFighting.com. Magomedsharipov exits the sport at age 31 with a career mark of 18-1.

The Ricardo Almeida Jiu-Jitsu product hasn’t competed since November 2019, when he earned a unanimous decision triumph against Calvin Kattar at UFC Fight Night 163 in Moscow. The Dagestani was in the midst of a 14-bout professional winning streak that also included wins over the likes of Jeremy Stephens, Kyle Bochniak and Sheymon Moraes in the Las Vegas-based promotion. Prior to that, Magomedsharipov enjoyed a successful stint in the Absolute Championship Berkut organization.

After the victory over Kattar, Magomedsharipov was scheduled to face Yair Rodriguez in August 2020, but that bout fell through after Rodriguez pulled out due to injury — the second time a matchup between the featherweight contenders was scrapped. Magomedsharipov hinted on social media in April that he was studying to become a doctor.

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On his Instagram page on Thursday, Magomedsharipov released a statement, explaining his decision and thanking those who supported him along the way.

"Assalamu alaikum friends! I know that many of you were waiting for my return, there was not a single day that someone did not ask when is my next fight was. But I decided to end my pro sports career.

"Disruptions of fights, and then health problems - all this did not allow me to perform/fight earlier. I have recovered now, but I don't feel the way I used to.

"Thank you to everyone who has supported me for such a long time. I didn’t have time to become a champion, but I think, even without this, I hope I was able to please/entertain you.

"I cease to be an active athlete, but I do not leave the sport. I have something and with whom to share my knowledge.

"So don't say goodbye, friends!"