Jimi Manuwa is finally set to return to competition after nearly seven years away. The former UFC light heavyweight contender last competed back in 2019. His comeback fight just landed a new opponent following a late change. That update adds fresh intrigue to an already stacked crossover combat sports card.
Jimi Manuwa Chase Sherman Booking Confirmed
Manuwa will face former UFC heavyweight Chase Sherman in a boxing match later this month. The bout takes place at Duel Arena 1 in Orlando, Florida on August 29. Sherman replaces originally announced opponent Rashad Coulter on relatively short notice. The change came together with roughly ten days remaining before the event.
Manuwa 18-4-0 last competed in June 2019, when Aleksandar Rakic knocked him out in London. He announced his retirement from mixed martial arts shortly after that defeat. Now forty five years old, Manuwa returns to combat sports through boxing instead of MMA. The move marks a notable shift for a fighter once known for devastating knockout power.
Key Details
Sherman brings extensive combat sports experience across multiple disciplines and organizations. He has competed inside the UFC Octagon, in bare knuckle boxing, and regional MMA promotions. That background makes him a live opponent despite stepping in on short notice himself. Neither man enters this matchup as a safe, predictable stylistic opponent.
The bout sits on the undercard of a heavily promoted crossover combat sports event. Dillon Danis headlines the card in an MMA bout against Mike Perry. Several other former UFC fighters also appear across the boxing and MMA undercard. That mix reflects a broader trend of crossover cards blending multiple combat sports disciplines.
What This Means
Manuwa’s return carries real nostalgia given his history as a legitimate title contender. He once stood on the cusp of a light heavyweight title shot years ago. This comeback offers fans a chance to see a familiar name back in action. The result will show how much time away has affected his overall sharpness.
The broader card continues a growing trend of crossover combat sports promotions. Fighters from boxing and MMA backgrounds increasingly share the same fight cards. That blending has created genuine intrigue around matchups that otherwise would never happen. This event fits firmly within that same expanding entertainment format.
Background Context
Manuwa competed twelve times inside the UFC across his light heavyweight career. He earned notable wins over Ovince Saint Preux and Corey Anderson during his prime years. He also headlined two separate UFC Fight Night events held in London. Daniel Cormier once publicly admitted turning down a fight against him.
Sherman previously competed as a heavyweight during his own UFC tenure. He has also appeared across bare knuckle and regional MMA circuits since leaving the promotion. The full Duel Arena card features several other names with real UFC experience attached.
Final Thoughts
Jimi Manuwa Chase Sherman now headlines one of the comeback stories of this crossover card. Manuwa’s return after seven years carries real weight for longtime combat sports fans. Sherman’s late notice opportunity adds another unpredictable variable to the entire matchup. Fans will find out August 29 whether that long layoff still shows inside the ring.
