Former UFC contender Zabit Magomedsharipov is preparing for his long-awaited return to competition – and, despite spending most of his career focused on MMA, he still believes gi training has an important place in grappling development.

Zabit is scheduled to face Dan Hooker in a grappling match under the ACBJJ banner on July 5 in Moscow.
Ahead of the event, he spoke about his preparation, his previous experience with Jiu-Jitsu, and why he may soon be dusting off a gi that has been sitting unused for years.

Reflecting on his MMA career, Zabit explained that Jiu-Jitsu was a regular part of his training schedule while living in the United States:

When I was in America, we trained Jiu-Jitsu twice a week consistently.
We had a great coach, Ricardo, who is highly respected there. We worked with him regularly and focused on getting stronger.

Although he spent years competing at the highest level of MMA, Zabit admitted he has very little experience training in the gi:

I also tried wrestling in a gi once. My fingers hurt really badly.

Despite that, he believes gi training provides unique benefits:

Gi is good. This is to ensure a good grip and to shape your fingers.
Once you take off your gi, it becomes much easier without it.

I have a gi at home that I probably need to take out. It’s been sitting there for seven years. I think I’ve only put it on once.

With his upcoming match against Hooker approaching, that may finally change:

I think it’s time to dig out the gi and start training in it again. It’ll probably make things feel easier when I switch back to no-gi.

For now, however, his priority is rebuilding his physical condition after years away from competition:

Right now, I just need to get back into shape and get my body moving again.
After that, I’ll be able to start training at full intensity.

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