Shara Bullet Outlasted Barriault’s Bloody Pressure in Abu

Shara Magomedov defeated Marc-André Barriault by unanimous decision at UFC Abu Dhabi on July 26, 2025. All three judges returned 30–27 cards after an action-filled middleweight contest at Etihad Arena.

Kicking range met persistent forward movement

Magomedov circled outside and attacked with kicks while Barriault tried to close distance. An inside leg kick briefly disrupted the Canadian’s footing, but he recovered enough to secure a takedown.

Magomedov used the fence to stand and landed an elbow as they separated. He resumed his varied kicking offense, while Barriault continued trying to turn the contest into a closer-range battle.

The second round became a bruising exchange

A head kick from Magomedov found its mark, but Barriault absorbed it and increased his clinch pressure. His punches bloodied Magomedov and forced the Russian through a difficult stretch.

Magomedov responded as Barriault’s pace eased, hurting him with his own offense near the end of the round. Both men reached the break after threatening to change the fight’s direction.

Magomedov finished strongly enough for every judge

Barriault sought more wrestling and fence control in the third, but Magomedov repeatedly escaped. Late spinning and jumping attacks kept the tempo high before the final horn.

The victory returned Magomedov to the win column after his first professional defeat against Michael Page. Both fighters received fifty-thousand-dollar Fight of the Night bonuses, rewarding a contest whose unanimous scorecards concealed several tense exchanges and dangerous moments for the eventual winner.

Sources

• Cageside Press: kicks, clinch pressure and the second-round exchanges
• UFC: official decision and event details
• MMA Junkie: Fight of the Night award and bonus amounts

Tags

MMA, Combat Sports