In just 18 months, between 2021 and 2023, Magomedov amassed an impressive 13-straight amateur MMA wins, securing two IMMAF World Championship titles as a heavyweight. After such success in the amateur arena, he will be making his professional debut at the lighter weight class of 205 pounds, testing his skills against Mohamed Hisham Baraka (1-0) at Brave CF 72 in Bahrain on June 23.

Magomedov’s journey into MMA wasn’t a leap into the unknown. As a seasoned wrestler and sambo combatant, he noted, “After hundreds of fights in wrestling and sambo, I didn’t feel the pressure of competition in MMA.” He believes that his extensive experience in combat sambo, a sport with many similarities to MMA, gave him a competitive edge when he made his debut in amateur MMA.

With three knockouts and one submission in his 13 amateur MMA bouts, it’s clear that Magomedov brings a compelling combination of grappling and striking prowess to the Brave CF cage. The athlete remains confident and ambitious, eyeing the light heavyweight rankings and seeing no unbeatable name in the top 10. It is this unwavering confidence that fuels Magomedov’s belief that he can make his way to the top of the ranking.

But who is the man standing in his way for this upcoming fight?

Mohamed Hisham Baraka, Magomedov’s first professional opponent, is a relative newcomer to the sport with a professional record of 1-0. Although less experienced, Baraka will undoubtedly pose a challenge to the seasoned debutant.

However, the spotlight inevitably shines on Magomedov, given his rare victory over Kyle Snyder in freestyle wrestling. Snyder, an American freestyle wrestler who competes at 97 kilograms, holds the distinction of being the youngest Olympic Gold medalist and youngest World Champion in American wrestling history. Among his numerous accolades, Snyder has accomplished the “triple crown” of American wrestling, capturing the World, NCAA, and Olympic championships in the same year during the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Snyder, affectionately known as “Snyderman,” has left an indelible mark in the world of wrestling. Not only did he become the first Olympic Gold Medalist to return to college and win an NCAA title, but he also overcame significant weight disadvantages to secure consecutive NCAA heavyweight titles, even after tearing cartilage in his chest during one tournament.

Moreover, Snyder’s victory over Abdulrashid Sadulaev at the 2017 World Championships brought Team USA its first World Championship in over 20 years, cementing his status as a titan of the sport.

For Magomedov, defeating Snyder in a wrestling match is a remarkable accomplishment that provides a testament to his potential in MMA. As he prepares to make his professional MMA debut, the fight world is keenly watching. Will this wrestling phenom turn into an MMA powerhouse? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – Rasul Magomedov is a name to watch out for in the world of mixed martial arts.

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