Abubakar Nurmagomedov Set to Compete After Three-Year Hiatus

Abubakar Nurmagomedov is returning to competition after a three-year absence, set to face David Zawada in an 84-kilogram wrestling match on September 20 at ORA Arena in Istanbul, Turkey. This event is part of the Global Grappling Series 2026 and marks a rematch from their previous encounter in 2019, where Zawada defeated Nurmagomedov with a first-round submission.

Nurmagomedov has a mixed martial arts record of 2-2 in the UFC, with his last fight resulting in a split-decision loss in June 2023. Zawada, who has a 1-4 record in the UFC, achieved his only victory against Nurmagomedov and has since competed in various promotions including Oktagon MMA and KSW. His last MMA fight ended in a loss to David Kozma on August 1.

This upcoming match signifies a shift for both fighters, who are transitioning from mixed martial arts to a grappling-focused format.