Khamzat Chimaev vs Jorge Masvidal grappling match in Dubai
ALF League announced the submission-only match for Dec. 4, then took the post down; in March, Masvidal pulled out of a similar match in Rio.
Former UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev and Jorge Masvidal were announced Sunday for a submission-only grappling match on Dec. 4 at The Agenda in Dubai. The bout was set to headline the first ALF League event, but the announcement post was later taken down, according to Sherdog.
None of the reports so far include comments from either fighter or explain why the post was removed, so the match should still be treated with caution.
What we know about the Dubai grappling match
The format has no strikes: each man has to make the other tap. The full rules, time limit, weight and the rest of the card have not been announced.
If it happens, it would be Chimaev’s sixth non-MMA bout since he lost the title to Sean Strickland by split decision at UFC 328 in May. Since then he has beaten Dillon Danis, Tyron Woodley, Gilbert Burns and Robbie Lawler in Real American Freestyle, the wrestling league where Arman Tsarukyan shut out Danis in October.
The schedule is tight. Chimaev is booked to face Colby Covington in the RAF Abu Dhabi main event on Nov. 14 at Etihad Arena. Covington himself is scheduled to face Raul Rosas Jr. on Tuesday in Rome, also in a submission-only match. Only 20 days would separate Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Chimaev and Masvidal by the submission numbers
The numbers show why this matchup stands out. Chimaev is 15-1 in MMA with six submission wins. In the UFC he finished Robert Whittaker with a face crank, Kevin Holland and John Phillips with brabo chokes and Li Jingliang with a rear-naked choke.
In August 2025, after taking the belt from Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319, Chimaev received his Jiu-Jitsu black belt from Alan Nascimento inside the Octagon.
Masvidal built his career on striking. He is 35-17, with 16 knockouts and two submissions in 52 fights. His only UFC submission came against Michael Chiesa in 2013, with the same brabo choke Chimaev used on Holland. He has also been submitted twice, by Toby Imada and Paul Rodriguez.
Masvidal’s withdrawal in Rio de Janeiro
Masvidal already had a match like this booked this year. He was set to face Shara Magomedov on March 11 at Hype FC in Rio de Janeiro, but pulled out for undisclosed reasons. Edson Barboza stepped in on short notice, and the match ended in a draw.
Magomedov responded on Instagram in a message reported by Sherdog: “You made the right decision running away from meeting me on March 11 in Rio.”
He has not fought in MMA since April 2023, when he lost a decision to Burns at UFC 287. His last appearance was a boxing decision loss to Nate Diaz in July 2024.
Masvidal’s criticism of Chimaev’s style
There is some history here. In April, before UFC 328, Masvidal criticized Chimaev on his own podcast, according to LowKick MMA. He said Chimaev holds opponents down because he fears they will get away: “Yeah, you’re a better wrestler, but that’s not fighting.”
In Dubai, if the announced format holds, staying on top decides nothing. Only a submission wins, and that is where Chimaev has the edge on paper. Burns knows both men well: he beat Masvidal, then lost to Chimaev at UFC 273 in 2022 and again in RAF.
Do you think Masvidal has a chance against Chimaev in a submission-only match? Tell us in the comments.
Read more:
- Raul Rosas Jr. replaces Dillon Danis to face Colby Covington
- Arman Tsarukyan shuts out Dillon Danis, calls out GSP
- Neiman Gracie faces Tsarukyan at RAF Abu Dhabi
