When UFC Prospect Shara Magomedov Lost Control at ADCC Southeast Asia
Last year, UFC hopeful Sharaputdin Magomedov made waves at the ADCC Southeast Asia tournament in a controversial grappling match against Poland’s Jakub Bilko. With Magomedov dominating from the top position and stacking his opponent, Bilko attempted a heel hook, forcing Magomedov to tap after several seconds of intense grappling. However, the tap didn’t end things peacefully. Upset by the move, Magomedov exchanged heated words with Bilko before delivering a kick and leaving the mat.
The incident sparked speculation online, with some claiming the two had made a pre-match agreement to avoid leg attacks, like heel hooks and knee bars, due to Magomedov’s knee condition. In Bilko’s words, however, he never understood any such agreement. On Reddit, Bilko explained:
“He was trying to explain something to me in Russian before the event, but I don’t speak Russian. I told him I didn’t understand, and I thought he was trying to threaten me. Later, my friends translated, saying he was worried about injuries. I just said ‘okay,’ but never agreed not to play my game. Even if it was clear, I wouldn’t have agreed. The whole thing was bizarre.”
Magomedov’s version differed significantly. According to his statement, he initially signed up for a lower-division blue belt category but was unexpectedly placed in the black belt division. Despite this, he agreed to compete, but with a mutual understanding that leg attacks would be avoided. “I warned him three times, and he agreed,” Magomedov stated. “But as soon as we started, he went for my legs, which set me off.”
The incident remains polarizing, with some defending Magomedov for standing up against what he viewed as a breach of trust, while others argue that competitive grappling doesn’t always come with the expectation of such agreements.
