Sharaputdin Magomedov has cemented his place as a must-watch fighter ever since he arrived in the UFC in 2023. With a unique fighting style and a stunning appearance, ‘Shara Bullet’ will return to action against Marc-André Barriault at UFC on ABC 9 in Abu Dhabi.

But before fans see him step back inside the Octagon, many are still trying to understand who he really is. From Dagestan to the UFC, Magomedov’s story has taken wild turns. He’s not your typical fighter, and his journey is layered with triumph, controversy, and mystery. So, where is he really from? What’s his religion? Without further ado, let’s dive into all we know about his story so far.

Is Sharaputdin Magomedov from Dagestan? Early life and background

Let’s start from the beginning. Born on May 16, 1994, in Makhachkala, Dagestan, Sharaputdin Magomedov’s path to MMA greatness was anything but straight. And if the name of his hometown sounds familiar, it’s because he shares it with Islam Makahchev!

Magomedov came from very humble beginnings. His family struggled financially during his childhood. He grew up in the streets of Makhachkala, and as you would expect, things weren’t easy at all. ‘Shara Bullet’ was an emotional individual who had issues with his temper. So did he choose to become a fighter when he was a child? Well, Magomedov had sights on another sport.

Yes, Sharaputdin Magomedov first got interested in soccer during his younger years and truly dedicated himself to getting better at it. However, his temper would do the damage, and after a heated argument, the 15-1 fighter was shown the door by the team. It was then that he got his first dose of combat sports, which was boxing, and then started learning Muay Thai as well.

While much of his fighting journey is public, very little is known about his parents, who raised him. So, what about his ethnicity?

Sharaputdin Magomedov’s ethnicity & nationality

Magomedov is Russian by nationality. But ethnically, he’s an Avar, one of the many ethnic groups native to Dagestan. While several Dagestani fighters in the UFC showcase a fighting style similar to Khabib Nurmagomedov, Sharaputdin Magomedov deals with his fights pretty differently. 

The fans who have watched his fights may know that the 31-year-old is a furious striker. And like most Dagestani fighters, his faith plays a central role in his identity.

Is Sharaputdin Magomedov a Muslim?

Yes, Sharaputdin Magomedov is a devout Muslim. Specifically, he follows Sunni Islam, the largest denomination in the religion. It’s common among fighters from Dagestan, where Islam is deeply woven into everyday life.

And that brings us to the biggest shadow looming over his career, his turbulent past outside the cage.

Sharaputdin Magomedov’s controversial past

Sharaputdin Magomedov is a pretty controversial figure who has been involved in several incidents outside the cage. In May 2022, he allegedly assaulted a man who kissed his partner on a mall escalator. Again, in May 2023, he kicked his opponent, Jakub Bilko, after losing a grappling match by heel hook at the ADCC Bangkok event. ‘Shara Bullet’ was reportedly disqualified from the tournament for his unsportsmanlike conduct.

But the most recent controversy that Sharaputdin Magomedov found himself in was when he collaborated with MMA influencer Nina Marie-Daniele. The YouTuber joined him for a light sparring session in a light-hearted manner ahead of his fight against Armen Petrosyan at UFC 308. She’s garnered a following by making such videos with various UFC fighters. 

However, Marie-Daniele almost got her head kicked in, but fortunately, ‘Shara Bullet’ missed it as he was just demonstrating a head kick. He might have been a little too rough, leading to a bit of outrage among UFC fans on social media.

Despite the setbacks, he’s ready to step into the spotlight again at UFC on ABC 9, looking to bounce back from his first-ever MMA loss to Michael Page earlier this year.