Rasul Magomedov made his professional MMA debut in June under the banner Brave CF. Magomedov is one of the few men who has defeated wrestling legend Kyle Snyder in a freestyle match.
After recording 13 consecutive wins in amateur MMA in the 18-month period between 2021-2023, and clinching two IMMAF World Championship titles as a heavyweight, Magomedov will slim down to 205 pounds and face Mohammed Hisham Baraka (1-0) at Brave CF 72 in Bahrain on June 23. MMA Fighting promotion officials confirmed.
“My amateur career has helped me a lot,” Magomedov told MMA Fighting of his decision to turn professional in 2023. “After hundreds of fights in wrestling and sambo, I don’t feel the pressure of competing in MMA. I see this happen a lot with fighters who started straight out in martial arts. mixed, so I didn’t have any pressure.”
Combat sambo, Magomedov said, “is very similar to mixed martial arts, so when I made my debut in amateur MMA, it wasn’t completely new to me.” Magomedov scored three knockdowns and one submission across 13 amateur MMA matches.
“I watch the light heavyweight rankings all over the world and I don’t see any unbeatable name in the top 10,” said Magomedov. “I can see myself at the top of that ranking.”
Watch Magomedov’s 2019 wrestling win over Snyder below.