European MMA Champion Appeals to Dana White for UFC Return
Since parting ways with the UFC in 2023 without a contract renewal, Zharas Zhumagulov has been actively competing. The Kazakh fighter, a fan favorite, faced a challenging run inside the UFC Octagon, losing four fights in a row, including a split decision loss to Joshua Van in the final bout of his contract. While Van went on to defeat Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 323 and clinch the flyweight title, Zhumagulov has been making a name for himself on the European MMA scene by defending his championship.
“Zaco,” as he’s known, has impressively won five straight fights since leaving the UFC and is eager for a rematch with Van in 2026.
Zhumagulov’s Journey and Title Reign Outside the UFC
At 37 years old, Zhumagulov has overcome significant obstacles following his UFC tenure. After a controversial loss to Charles Johnson in November 2022, he briefly retired but quickly made a comeback. Since leaving the UFC, he’s remained undefeated, capturing and defending the 125-pound title in Octagon MMA—an up-and-coming European promotion. His most recent victory came in December, where he successfully defended his belt via TKO (doctor stoppage) against former UFC fighter David Dvorak.
Following this win, Zhumagulov expressed his desire to return to the UFC, tweeting: “Last fight on contract, 2023. Split decision against current UFC champion. Champion, title defense, 5 straight wins since then. Ready to come back.”
Other Former UFC Flyweights Eyeing a Comeback
Zhumagulov’s situation mirrors that of undefeated Muhamad Mokaev, who also left the UFC unexpectedly in 2024 after Dana White declined to renew his contract. Mokaev had been on track for a title shot prior to his departure, following a victory over Manel Kape. White cited Mokaev’s perceived difficulty to work with as a factor in his release. Since then, the Dagestan-born fighter has aimed for a UFC return, even expressing willingness to drop down to bantamweight (135 pounds) to facilitate his comeback.
“If (the UFC) sent me a contract, I would fight at bantamweight,” Mokaev said last year. “I have an age advantage, and by the time I get back into rankings, most contenders will be in their mid-30s.”
Fan Take:
Zhumagulov’s bid to return to the UFC highlights the competitive depth outside the promotion and how fighters can reinvent themselves to earn another shot on the biggest stage. For fight fans, his comeback—and those like Mokaev’s—shows that talent and determination can create compelling storylines that extend the sport’s excitement beyond the UFC’s spotlight.
