Zabit Magomedsharipov vs Giga Chikadze - One of Combat Sports’ Biggest “What-If” Matchups

‍Real American Freestyle is no stranger to dream matchups, big debuts and even bigger broken retirements but true combat sports fans know the significance of the return of Zabit Magomedsharipov as he takes on 2021 Breakthrough Fighter of the Year, Giga Chikadze live at RAF Abu Dhabi.

In 2019 Giga Chikadze and Zabit Magomedsharipov were on the fast track to collide in the cage until one of the most unexpected retirements in recent memory. Two of the UFC’s most exciting featherweights never got a chance to square off but now, the same two men are about to square off as two of RAF’s most exciting welterweights.

Magomedsharipov was one of the most unpredictable, unconventional and yet technically sound all around skilled fighters on earth. He sprinted to an 18-1 record including a perfect 6-0 UFC record that saw four performance bonuses and the return of one of the rarest submissions in the game.

His striking was so dangerous opponents would often opt for wrestling. What they were forgetting with that strategy was that his wrestling was more dangerous than his standup.

He appeared to be the top of the food chain of Dagestani wrestlers turned fighters and with no warning at all, following his first main event, he retired and never looked back.

Magomedsharipov had one of the strongest squeezes, he’s a body-lock nightmare and appears to be back in the world of combat sports with greatness in mind on the RAF mat. He returned to grappling earlier in the year and is now settling back into the world where it all began for him. Freestyle wrestling.

Chikadze is a known striker with deceptively strong defensive wrestling. Does he have the same credentials as Zabit? No but have challengers been desperately shooting for takedowns his entire career to no avail? Absolutely.

Chikadze’s chaotic style might actually give him an advantage in scrambles where he has shown a comfort in the chaos. He’s the biggest question mark on the card in Abu Dhabi but it’s those questionable spots where he seems to do his most impressive work.

He’s gone to the wire against the most rowdy of challengers and beat them at their own game almost every time. He’s poised to prove Zabit Magomedsharipov will be no exception.

Magomedsharipov’s keys to victory are partially a surprise, partially expected. The surprise gameplan should be to establish a clinch early and often. Look to close distance under control, win the hand-fighting exchanges and establish strong upper-body ties to mitigate unpredictability. His Sanda and grappling background gives him experience connecting clinch control with trips and throws.

The goal isn't simply to tie Chikadze up. It's to put him in positions where he has to defend takedowns rather than dictate the action himself.

He should also look to utilize trips. Magomedsharipov shouldn't become overly reliant on upper-body throws especially with his wide array of weapons. He needs to Change levels to threaten the legs, discover Chikadze’s defensive tendencies, mix in sweeps and immediately capitalize on exposure opportunities.

For Chikadze, it will be all about movement. Never give Magomedsharipov clean entries. He’s going to be the aggressor, use that aggression against him. Keep yourself moving, force Magomedsharipov to overextend and make sloppy advances.

He will also need to win every hand fighting exchange. Chikadze cannot afford to let Magomedsharipov establish comfortable grips and dictate every exchange. He needs to fight for inside position, break unwanted ties and prevent Magomedsharipov from connecting his hands around the body.

The objective is to keep Zabit from turning a neutral position into a dominant clinch.

Both men have a chance to make an example out of the other and the combat sports world is happy we’re finally getting a chance to see the collision between Zabit Magomedsharipov and Giga Chikadze.

Catch Zabit Magomedsharipov vs Giga Chikadze Saturday, November 14 at RAF Abu Dhabi ONLY on FOX Nation!