In a high-stakes middleweight clash at UFC on ABC 9: Whittaker vs. de Ridder, Shara “Bullet” Magomedov looks to rebound from his first professional loss as he takes on Canadian veteran Marc-Andre “Powerbar” Barriault at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. With both fighters known for their knockout power and aggressive styles, this bout promises fireworks.
Tale of the Tape
| Attribute | Shara Magomedov | Marc-Andre Barriault |
| Age | 31 | 35 |
| Height | 6′2″ | 6′1″ |
| Reach | 73″ | 74″ |
| Record (MMA) | 15-1-0 | 17-9-0 |
| UFC Record | 4-1 | 6-8 |
| Style | Muay Thai / Kickboxing | Pressure Boxer / Dirty Boxing |
Shara Magomedov – The Flashy Finisher
Strengths:
Unorthodox striking with spinning attacks and knees
High strike accuracy (68.7%)
Strong finishing instincts (12 career KOs)
Recent Form:
Loss to Michael Page (Feb 2025, UD)
KO wins over Armen Petrosyan and Antonio Trocoli
Game Plan:
Control range with kicks and feints
Avoid clinch and dirty boxing
Set traps for highlight-reel counters
Magomedov’s loss to Page was a reality check, but his explosive style and fan-friendly finishes still make him one of the UFC’s most marketable middleweights. Fighting in Abu Dhabi, he’ll have crowd support and a stylistic edge against a forward-charging opponent.
Marc-Andre Barriault – The Durable Brawler
Strengths:
High-volume striking (6.02 strikes/min)
Strong chin and inside fighting
KO power with 10 career finishes
Recent Form:
KO win over Bruno Silva (May 2025)
Losses to Joe Pyfer and Chris Curtis
Game Plan:
Close distance and initiate clinch
Pressure Magomedov into exchanges
Test Magomedov’s defense and cardio
Barriault snapped a three-fight skid with a brutal KO of Silva, earning a Performance of the Night bonus. He’s confident and motivated, but his aggressive style could play into Magomedov’s counter-striking strengths.
Key Dynamics
Range vs. Pressure: Magomedov thrives at distance; Barriault wants a phone-booth fight.
Speed vs. Grit: Magomedov’s athleticism and creativity vs. Barriault’s toughness and volume.
Momentum vs. Redemption: Magomedov seeks to bounce back; Barriault aims to build on his recent KO win.
FIGHT ODDS
Shara Magomedov – 625
Marc-Andre Barriault + 500
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, July 25, 2025
