At UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. de Ridder, Russian striker Shara Magomedov proved why he’s one of the most dangerous prospects in the UFC, outclassing Canadian veteran Marc-André Barriault in a bloody three-round war. Magomedov’s striking brilliance was on full display, earning him a dominant unanimous decision with all three judges scoring it 30-27.
Magomedov came out sharp, chopping at Barriault’s legs and body with vicious kicks while sliding out of every early takedown attempt. Every exchange favored the Russian, who mixed elbows into his combinations, one of which split Barriault’s scalp wide open and left him covered in blood. Barriault kept pressing forward, but it was clear who was landing the damage.
The second round brought the biggest scare. Barriault landed a clean right hand that cracked Magomedov’s nose and forced him to regroup. Blood streamed down his face, but “Bullet” stayed composed—firing back with stiff counters and a perfectly timed elbow that nearly sat Barriault down. Magomedov swarmed with a barrage of punches, yet Barriault’s grit carried him through to the final round.
In the third, Magomedov turned up the pace again, connecting with a flying knee and more slicing elbows anytime Barriault closed distance. The Canadian kept swinging, but the damage piled up. In the closing seconds, Barriault briefly crumbled under the pressure before scrambling back to his feet—battered, but unbroken.
With this victory, Magomedov vs. Barriault becomes another showcase for Shara Magomedov’s elite striking. He’s firmly back in the win column and once again looking like one of the UFC’s most dangerous names in the middleweight division.
