Zabit Magomedsharipov shocked the MMA world when he announced that he would be retiring from MMA. The now-former UFC featherweight had taken a few years off and has officially ended his time as a fighter.

Zabit Magomedsharipov took to his Instagram to explain that he was done with MMA and his reason for stepping away from the sport. He had many fun fights in the UFC but he felt the time was right.

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“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,” the former UFC fighter wrote.

“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!”

Many were expecting Zabit Magomedsharipov to have a big career in the UFC at featherweight and he was well on his way to becoming a title contender. Many have speculated that religious reasons led him from stepping away from MMA and that he would be moving on with a different career in mind.