5 Things You Might Not Know About Magomed Magomedov

Magomed Magomedov has one of Bellator MMA’s most polarizing figures in his crosshairs.

The 31-year-old Russian will square off with American Top Team lightning rod Danny Sabatello in a Bellator x Rizin 2 bantamweight showcase on Saturday at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. Magomedov enters the cage with wins in six of his past eight outings. He last appeared at Bellator 289, where he was put to sleep by a Patrick Mix rear-naked choke in the second round of their bantamweight grand prix semifinal. It was the first stoppage loss of his 22-fight career.

As Magomedov moves ever closer to his confrontation with Sabatello at 135 pounds, here are five things you might not know about him:

1. No grace period was afforded to him.

Magomedov made his professional mixed martial arts debut at the age of 19 when he dispatched Ivan Prokopenko with a guillotine choke a mere 87 seconds into their April 2, 2011 encounter under the M-1 Global banner. It was the start of a 13-fight winning streak to start his career.

2. He can point to a championship pedigree.

The Khasavyurt, Russia, native laid claim to the Absolute Championship Berkut bantamweight title when he was awarded a split verdict over Petr Yan in the ACB 32 co-main event in March 2016. Magomedov successfully defended the championship against Oleg Borisov the following December, then surrendered it in a unanimous decision defeat to Yan in their rematch four months later.

3. Versatility adds to his value.

Magomedov has recorded victories in four different weight classes. In addition to his considerable exploits at 135 pounds, he has won bouts as a featherweight, lightweight and welterweight.

4. He surrounds himself with like-minded warriors.

“Tiger” operates out of the rugged DagFighter camp in Makhachkala, Russia. There, Magomedov has trained alongside a number of accomplished stablemates, including Omari Akhmedov, Timur Valiev, Said Nurmagomedov, former One Championship titleholder Marat Gafurov and longtime friend Zabit Magomedsharipov.

5. His talents travel.

Japan will be the sixth country in which Magomedov has suited up as a mixed martial artist. Though he has spent the majority of his career competing in his native Russia, he has also fought in the United States, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Ukraine.