Marc-André Barriault Gets Surprise Test vs. Shara Magomedov—"Not the Call I Expected"

ABU DHABI — Marc-André Barriault is riding high off the biggest win of his UFC career. But when the phone rang less than 48 hours later with a new opponent offer, the celebration took a quick turn into strategy mode.

After a stunning knockout of Bruno Silva at UFC 315 that snapped a three-fight skid, earned Performance of the Night, and secured a brand-new contract, Barriault was offered a fight with Shara “Bullet” Magomedov — a dangerous, flashy striker coming off his first career loss to Michael "Venom" Page.

And honestly? At first, Barriault wasn’t thrilled.

“I’m not gonna lie,” he said at UFC on ABC 9 media day. “I was like, ‘Why are they offering me this guy?’ Stylistically, it wasn’t exciting at first.”

But once the adrenaline settled and the confidence from Montreal kicked in, Barriault reframed it.

“I’ve been here six years now. I’m at my peak. And I realized—I belong here. I can fight anybody in this division.”

Now, the Canadian powerhouse (17-9) is locked in for a high-stakes middleweight clash against the 15-1 Magomedov this Saturday at UFC on ABC 9 in Abu Dhabi.

While many fall victim to Magomedov’s rangy, rhythm-based striking, Barriault is planning to break the mirror — and bring the chaos.

“People try to play his game. I’m not doing that. I’m a striker, too—but I close distance. I brawl. Dirty boxing, pressure, volume. I’ve got a few tricks of my own.”

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Barriault could’ve asked for a safer return. But that’s not who he is. Taking Magomedov this soon after a career-saving KO proves he’s all-in on a run. This is what reinvention looks like in real time—and if Barriault pulls off another upset, the middleweight landscape is going to feel it.