MMA isn’t a sport for the faint of heart. Michael Bisping won the middleweight title from champion Luke Rockhold at UFC 199 with one eye. But that came after he was many years into his UFC career and had made a name for himself.

There is, however, a fighter who is starting his UFC career and only has one eye. He had his right eye removed and replaced with a fake one after losing eyesight in it. This, of course, is middleweight Sharaputdin Magomedov. Hailing from the city of Makhachkala in Dagestan, the same city Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev fight out of, he is undefeated in his eleven-fight MMA career.

‘Sharabullet’ will make his debut at UFC 294 on October 21 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. He will face the Brazilian Bruno Silva in his first appearance at the promotion. The controversial Dagestani mixed martial artist has displayed his comedic side in a promo he shot ahead of his UFC debut, including coining a new nickname for himself.

Sharaputdin Magomedov shoots promo ahead of UFC debut

In a video of him doing the rounds, he can be seen driving in a blue Mercedes G-Wagon. He stops and is asked what his favorite quote is by an interviewer. The Dagestani seems to have coined a new nickname for himself based on his having one eye. “The pirate is here. See you in the octagon. I came for my gold, brother, October 21, Insha’Allah,” he said.

Magomedov’s moniker is ‘Sharabullet’. Most feel it is a good nickname as it alludes to his excellent striking abilities, which is evident from the fact that ten out of his eleven victories have come via KO/TKO. But the Dagestani seems to want to change it to ‘The Pirate’. Fans could not contain their excitement and took to the comments section to let their thoughts be known.

Fans react to Magomedov’s promo before UFC 294 debut

Fans took to the comments section and gave their views on the promo and the Dagestani prospect. Here is what they had to say.

One fan was puzzled if he would be cleared to fight in the USA, where most UFC cards are held:

“I’m very interested to see this guy begin in the UFC! Does he actually entirely doesn’t see from one eye? if so, how is he allowed to fight legally? Could be fight in America?”

Another felt his disability limits what he can achieve and will find it hard to be licensed to fight outside of the UAE:

“I doubt he will be champ, being one-eyed makes it impossible to fight in most places outside Abu Dhabi”

Another drew a fitting parallel to Bisping:

“Russian Bisping debuts this weekend.”

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One user was all in favor of his new nickname:

“I’m gonna like this guy if he calls himself the pirate”

Another preferred his old moniker:

“The Pirate? Hmm I dunno, I liked “Sharabullet” better”

Another fan felt that the Dagestani wanted to make a mark as he put in the effort to memorize lines in English:

“the fact he memorized those great lines for promotions, this guy means business and he is here to stay”

One user was exasperated at his choice of car:

“bro bough ligh blue g class wtf”

Given his excellent striking pedigree, many are expecting Magomedov to make a splash. And there is no better platform for him to announce himself and make a statement than his debut at UFC 294. But, the question of how he will be cleared to fight in jurisdictions other than ‘friendly’ ones like the UAE needs to be answered before he can be taken seriously.

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