Shara Magomedov is an anomaly in the UFC, and not just because of his striking prowess. The Dagestan native has maintained an undefeated record, showcasing a unique and unorthodox style. But his appearance? That’s a whole other story. He got booted from Abdulmanap’s camp for his hair, only setting him apart from the usual Dagestani mold. Now, his eye is the latest talking point, and unlike his hair, that’s the kind of thing that can get you booted from the sport entirely. So, is Shara ‘Bullet’ really fighting with limited vision, or is this just another layer to his growing legend? A resurfaced photo has reignited the debate, and fans have plenty to say.
The origins of Shara Magomedov’s eye injury remain murky. Unlike Michael Bisping, who lost vision in his right eye following a brutal head kick from Vitor Belfort, Shara’s story is less clear-cut. According to reports from Russian sources, the injury dates back to 2016, but Magomedov himself admitted he never pinpointed the exact moment it happened, whether during a fight, in training, or due to accumulated stress. What’s certain is that he ignored the issue for too long.
“I had many different stages, my eyes were tortured specifically,” Magomedov shared in an interview with MatchTV, revealing that he underwent eight surgeries over a year and a half to stabilize his vision. While some assume he is entirely blind in his right eye, Shara himself claims otherwise. But he has implied that his eyesight, though compromised, still functions at a competitive level.
Russia: MMA event RCC 13 in Yekaterinburg, Russia RUSSIA, YEKATERINBURG – DECEMBER 3, 2022: MMA fighters Mikhail Ragozin L and Sharaputdin Magomedov of Russia fight in their main card middleweight bout at the RCC 13 tournament at Uralets Arena.
Adding fuel to the speculation, a pre-injury photo of Magomedov has caught the attention of fans. In the image, the Dagestani fighter appears with both eyes intact, sparking debate over how severe his impairment truly is. This has started a wide range of conflicting opinions, some believing his vision is exaggerated for the narrative, while others claim he’s completely blind in one eye.
“That’s 80% total vision,” fans weigh in on Shara Magomedov’s sight
The internet wasted no time dissecting Magomedov’s condition. Some fans are genuinely curious about the specifics of his vision. “Is his right eye completely blind? How did it happen?” one user asked, reflecting the confusion surrounding the situation. Others pointed to Russian sources, which suggested Magomedov has around 60% vision in his right eye, “YES, he’s definitely not blind, according to him it’s slightly better than half his normal eye (interview dated 1.5 years back).” “So 100% vision in one eye, and 60% vision in the other, that’s 80% total vision!” a fan calculated, implying that Shara is still well-equipped to fight.
Not everyone buys it, though. One skeptical commenter, claiming to be an eye doctor, dismissed Magomedov’s claim entirely. “Nah, he’s full of shit…. His cornea looks opacified even to the naked eye, and his right eye is drifting outwards – that’s called sensory deprivation exotropia and it happens when one of the eyes hasn’t had functional vision for a very very long time. He’s definitely completely blind in that eye.” Interestingly, some fans brought up Michael Bisping’s struggles to fight with impaired vision. “How come Bisping had to lie to be able to fight, yet this guy has a dead eye plain as day and it’s fine? No shade, just curious. Did some rule change or something?” another user questioned.
Then, there’s the issue of where Magomedov can legally fight. Some believe his vision disqualifies him from competing in the U.S. “Bullet’s not allowed to fight in the US because no commission will clear him. Expect his career to take place exclusively in the Middle East,” a fan speculated. Others argue it’s a financial decision. “It’s more of a financial issue. UFC already pays out the a** on insurance. The last thing they need is a blind guy getting seriously hurt.”
Regardless of where fans stand on his vision, Sharaputdin Magomedov’s success is undeniable. The undefeated is set to face Michael ‘Venom’ Page at UFC Saudi Arabia, a fight that will test his ability against another unique striker. Whether he continues his winning streak or faces his first loss, one thing is certain, his eye will remain a talking point for MMA fans worldwide. What do you think? Is Magomedov’s vision a disadvantage, or is the debate overblown? Let us know in the comments!
The post “He’s Full of Sh-t. I’m an Eye Doctor” — Questions Raised After Shara Magomedov’s Rare Photo Before Injury Goes Viral appeared first on EssentiallySports.