(Video) Cristiano Ronaldo faces takedown threat from UFC star Sharaputdin Magomedov
Cristiano Ronaldo shows middleweight star Shara Magomedov support before UFC Saudi Arabia showdown vs. Michael Page.
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Shara Magomedov tries to take down Cristiano Ronaldo before UFC Saudi Arabia media day (Source: X/IMAGO)
Shara Magomedov has one of the biggest superstars in the world backing him as he returns to the UFC this Saturday. Shara “Bullet” meets dangerous point-striker Michael Page at UFC Saudi Arabia at ANB Arena in Riyadh. Before his media availability and fight week interviews, the middleweight met up with Cristiano Ronaldo!
Cristiano Ronaldo, ex-Real Madrid star and current Al Nassr FC forward, is a big-time Saudi GEA sports ambassador. A lot of fighters link up with CR7 as part of the extended Riyadh Season. Ronaldo also has close friendships with ex-UFC lineal heavyweight Francis Ngannou and others. Shara Magomedov visited him at the Al Nassr FC Saudi Arabia training grounds.
I met the entire team, and I also met Cristiano Ronaldo, and we talked for about a half hour, …He knows a lot about the UFC, and I can tell he’s very well versed in the sport. He said he’s going to be coming to the fight and rooting for me. He said I have a lot of potential in the sport and that I’m eventually going to be champion.
Shara Magomedov during UFC Saudi Arabia pre-fight Media Day
Cristiano Ronaldo keeps a close eye on the UFC/MMA fight grind as well. Before Ngannou’s PFL Super Fight debut, he went viral for taking a close look at Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski’s title fights.
As someone who looked up to Ronaldo when he was younger, it was a special moment for Magomedov. But what made the experience special was Ronaldo’s support. Additionally – the fact that he could engage in a gleeful takedown attempt on him (unlike some people). Watch the whole link-up below:
Shara Bullet paying a visit to Cristiano Ronaldo in the @AlNassrFC_EN training grounds ahead of #UFCSaudiArabia. 🤝pic.twitter.com/XN3upKNG8o
— Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv) January 29, 2025
Magomedov remains unbeaten throughout and faces the biggest name of his career so far. Magomedov called out Israel Adesanya for the February 1 event at ANB Arena. However, Michael Page called him on for UFC Saudi Arabia and the UFC brass jumped at it. Now, it will be a stiff test ahead, one that he is ready for.
Shara Magomedov vs. Michael Page: Odds, facts, and need-to-knows ahead of UFC Saudi Arabia
Michael Page (22-3 MMA, 17-2 BMMA, and 1-1 UFC) is a Bellator Welterweight Grand Prix Semifinalist. “Venom” has proven to be a historically sharp KO artist and skull-cracker. He is the only one so far who could match Shara Magomedov. “Bullet” has been indomitable in his UFC tenure so far.
Magomedov’s unique pocket-tearing striking is one to behold. He hit Armen Petrosyan with a double backfist TKO (4:52 of Round 2) at UFC 308 PPV! It makes for a clear KOTY contender and states his competition level. Boasting 12 stoppages out of 15 victories, there has been no deterrent.
Page is not all that invincible, but he is dangerous. Micahel Page enters UFC Saudi Arabia fresh off a welterweight loss to Ian Garry. He was out-grappled then, but the British fighter returns to 185 pounds for the first time since April 2013. It’s where he did some of his best work. He has said middleweight won’t be his home, but it’s still his stomping ground.
Page is used to wrestling on the defensive in his fights, and had to do so in his last outing. However, it’s a while since striking Titans clashed. “Bullet” has promised a standup game and no takedowns, making the skill-to-skill testing quite the affair.
Will he persist or will “Venom” break that unique hairline and another skull? According to DraftKings Sportsbook, Magomedov is a slight -148 favorite on the money line. Page is listed as a +124 underdog for UFC Saudi Arabia.
Related: ‘One-eyed pirate’ Sharaputdin Magomedov vows to face plant Michael Page in an electric bout
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