ABU DHABI – Shara Magomedov thinks Marc-Andre Barriault’s forward-pressure is tailor made for his style.
Magomedov (15-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) takes on Barriault (17-9 MMA, 6-8 UFC) in a middleweight bout on Saturday’s UFC on ABC 9 (ABC, ESPN, ESPN+) main card at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Magomedov will look to rebound from his first-career loss to Michael Page at UFC Fight Night 250 in February.
“I never really was worried about that zero as possibly my fans were worried about that zero and the fact that I was undefeated,” Magomedov told reporters including MMA Junkie in Wednesday’s media day. “It just happened that I lost, but we understand what happened, we kind of draw our own results from that, we learn from that and keep moving forward.”
Barriault has shown to be a kill or be killed type of fighter, with his past nine fights ending by stoppage. He was able to snap a three-fight losing skid with a brutal knockout of Bruno Silva just two months ago at UFC 315.
“Bullet” thinks Barriault’s style caters to his.
“I like when I get pressured in that way because once I see that danger, once I see him coming towards me, I get some sort of predatory feeling,” Magomedov said. “Like a feeling of trying to liquidate this pressure, this danger that’s coming towards me so, this way it pressures me to show all my aspects that I have to dismantle this threat that’s coming towards me.”
Magomedov will look to pick up right where he left off prior to losing to Page.
“I’m pretty sure with this victory and maybe two, three more fights that I’m going to be right there, right back at the top of the division,” Magomedov said. “Potentially I’ll be breathing already in the back of the top five if I show one, two good finishes, and I’ll be right there. I’ll be in the talks to potentially get the rematch.”
