MIDDLEWEIGHT prospect Sharabutdin Magomedov finally makes his long-awaited UFC debut this weekend.
The undefeated kickboxer makes his promotional bow tonight at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, where he'll lock horns horns with Brazilian Bruno Silva.
Magomedov, 29, has long been on the radar of die-hard mixed martial arts fans, many of whom watched him ply his trade in his native Russia.
But he only came to the attention of casual fans of the sport after signing with the UFC late last year.
His 90 per cent knockout rate has fans excited about his chances in the division, although many of them are wondering about how he'll get on in the promotion as he only has one functioning eye.
Magomedov suffered severe damage to his right eye early in his career and underwent EIGHT operations to try and save it.
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He lost two years of his career as docs tried to salvage his eye and restore what little vision he had left.
They were, unfortunately, unable to and had to remove part of the vital organ.
When recalling the partial removal of the eye, the Dagestani said: “Before the operation, I was mainly afraid of an injection in the eye.
"I watched this video. Very unpleasant. I thought that was the most boring thing ever.
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"And there were such operations when an injection in the eye had to be made, where it was removed, one might say.
"At this time, local anaesthesia is administered, but you feel everything.
"They pierce [the eye] from two or three sides. It seems that a puncture is a camera, and the other two are something to pump, upload something there.
"I had many different stages, my eyes were tortured specifically.”
Attempting to save his vision came at a great financial cost to Magamedov and his family.
In an interview with Athletistic, he said: "It took a lot of money.
"But at that time, I was under the care of my parents.
"I found myself in a difficult situation – I did not train for two years, I did not fight."
Magomedov contemplated quitting the fight game after the operation but found the strength to renew his career thanks to his loved ones.
He said: "You can divide my whole career into 'before' and 'after' this injury.
"But after that, I collected my thoughts, my friends believed in me, and everything was fine."
Most doctors advise fighters to call it quits at the first sign of any problems with their eyes, let alone after having one partially removed.
Magamedov, however, was sensationally given the all-clear to continue doing what he loves.
He said: "The doctor says: the worst thing that can happen to your eye has already happened.
"Therefore, you can practice."
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Magamedov makes his UFC debut with a record of ten knockouts in his 11 career fights.
But his ability to defend himself with just one eye will be tested to the absolute max now that he's competing in the world's MMA promotion.
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