Shara “Bullet” Magomedov is eagerly anticipating a rematch with Michael Page in 2026, viewing it as an essential part of his career trajectory.
After experiencing the first defeat of his professional MMA journey in 2025, Magomedov is driven by a desire for redemption. Initially boasting an impressive record of 15 victories without a loss, he faced off against Michael “Venom” Page during the UFC’s inaugural event in Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately for Magomedov, he found himself unable to counter Page’s unique fighting style, which led to a decisive loss by unanimous decision. Interestingly, Magomedov later disclosed that he participated in that bout while battling significant health issues, including severe intestinal and digestive problems that made him fear he would become ill during the fight.
In a recent interview, following a grappling match that ended in a draw against Arman Tsarukyan, Magomedov outlined his ambitions for the upcoming year. "My strategy for next year is clear: I want to secure a victory against someone outside the top 15 rankings. Following that, I aim to take on a competitor from within the top 15. Ultimately, my goal is to face Michael Page again, and that rematch is absolutely necessary,” he expressed passionately.
Magomedov emphasized his desire to showcase his true abilities, which he feels were compromised during his previous encounter with Page due to his health condition. "I want to demonstrate to my fans that I wasn't able to perform at my best due to my medical issues," he explained.
Following the setback against Page, Magomedov rebounded impressively with a solid victory over Marc-Andre Barriault four months later, and recently, he drew against top lightweight contender Tsarukyan. However, he felt that the brief six-minute duration of the grappling match was insufficient for anything substantial to materialize, despite it being longer than many of Tsarukyan’s past opponents have managed. "Some people might see that draw as a moral win, but I certainly don’t. My mindset was to secure victory, and entering the ring with any less determination means you’ve already lost. In my view, I should have won that match, but six minutes simply didn't provide enough opportunity to achieve that," he commented.
Regarding his future in the UFC, Magomedov faces challenges due to having only one functioning eye, which currently prevents him from competing in North America. As a result, he is waiting for the organization to return to the Middle East. "I believe we need to engage the audience with a few initial events before I step back into the spotlight. Once that happens, I plan to bring some excitement and energy that the fans are craving," he said, hinting at his readiness to make a memorable comeback.
