Edson Barboza ACBJJ 23: UFC Veteran Books First Fight Since Retirement Against Rashid Magomedov

Edson Barboza is returning to combat sports just three months after announcing his retirement from professional MMA. The Brazilian veteran will face former UFC lightweight Rashid Magomedov in a special rules contest on November 13. The Edson Barboza ACBJJ 23 matchup will take place in Rio de Janeiro under a format allowing body strikes and submissions. The booking gives the 40-year-old another competitive opportunity without returning to traditional MMA.

Edson Barboza ACBJJ 23 Fight Against Rashid Magomedov Confirmed

Edson Barboza (24-15 MMA) will face Rashid Magomedov in a battle match at ACBJJ 23 on November 13, 2026. The event takes place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and features several recognizable UFC veterans. Barboza’s appearance marks his first scheduled competition since retiring from professional MMA in August.

The 40-year-old Brazilian signed with Absolute Championship of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in October. However, his opponent and debut date remained unconfirmed when the promotion initially announced the agreement. The latest booking now establishes his first assignment under the organization’s banner.

Magomedov brings considerable international MMA experience to the matchup. The Russian previously competed in the UFC before continuing his career with the Professional Fighters League and Absolute Championship Akhmat. His well-rounded background presents an interesting challenge under the event’s unusual rules.

Barboza’s decision does not mean he has officially reversed his MMA retirement. ACBJJ’s battle format uses different restrictions from traditional mixed martial arts. The Brazilian can continue competing without returning to the same ruleset that defined his UFC career.

Edson Barboza vs Rashid Magomedov Fight Details

The matchup is scheduled for November 13 at ACBJJ 23 in Rio de Janeiro. Both competitors have extensive MMA backgrounds, but the upcoming contest will follow the promotion’s battle match regulations. The precise bout time has not been confirmed.

The event features several other competitors familiar to UFC audiences. Its lineup includes former title challengers, experienced veterans, and established submission grapplers. Their participation reflects ACBJJ’s growing interest in crossover competition.

What Are the ACBJJ Battle Match Rules?

The battle match format combines elements of traditional MMA and submission grappling. Competitors can use punches, kicks, elbows, knees, and certain head strikes against permitted targets. Submissions and chokes are also allowed during standing and ground exchanges.

However, attacks landing above the collarbone are prohibited. This restriction removes conventional punches, kicks, and elbows to the opponent’s head. Fighters must instead focus their striking attacks on legal areas of the body.

The rules also permit striking during ground exchanges, creating additional offensive opportunities beyond standard Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Competitors can combine positional control with body attacks while searching for submissions. This format creates a different tactical environment from conventional no-gi grappling.

For Barboza, the rules allow him to use parts of his renowned striking arsenal. However, he cannot rely on the head kicks that produced several of his most memorable UFC finishes. His ability to adjust those techniques could become an important factor against Magomedov.

Why the Rules Could Suit Barboza’s Fighting Style

Barboza built his MMA reputation around powerful kicks and precise striking combinations. His attacks to the legs and body regularly troubled experienced opponents throughout his UFC career. Those weapons remain relevant under ACBJJ’s battle match regulations.

The Brazilian can use leg kicks to disrupt Magomedov’s movement and create attacking opportunities. Body kicks could also help him maintain distance against an opponent looking to establish grappling control. However, he must remain aware of takedown attempts during extended exchanges.

Magomedov’s MMA experience gives him opportunities to challenge Barboza in several areas. The Russian has competed against dangerous strikers and experienced grapplers throughout his career. Their battle match could therefore become a technical contest rather than a straightforward striking exchange.

Why Did Edson Barboza Retire From the UFC in August 2026?

Barboza announced his retirement following a second-round TKO defeat against Esteban Ribovics at UFC 330. Their lightweight contest took place on August 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. The loss marked his fourth consecutive UFC defeat and ended a professional MMA career spanning approximately 17 years.

The Brazilian had struggled to regain momentum following his final UFC victory against Sodiq Yusuff in October 2023. Subsequent defeats against Lerone Murphy, Drakkar Klose, Jalin Turner, and Ribovics brought his career toward a difficult conclusion. He ultimately decided that continuing against elite UFC opponents was no longer the right choice.

Barboza entered his final contest hoping to return to winning form. The matchup against Ribovics appeared on the UFC 330 fight card alongside two championship bouts. However, the Argentine’s powerful attacks forced a stoppage during the second round.

After the defeat, Barboza removed his gloves inside the Octagon and announced his retirement. The crowd responded with a standing ovation and chants recognizing his lengthy career. His emotional farewell reflected the respect he earned through years of entertaining performances.

Barboza Admitted His Body Was No Longer the Same

Barboza later explained that his retirement followed a prolonged internal struggle. The Brazilian had continued preparing seriously but recognized that his physical abilities had changed. He no longer believed he could consistently compete against the UFC’s strongest fighters.

A serious eye injury suffered during his fight against Lerone Murphy also influenced his decision. Barboza described the difficulty of accepting that his competitive limitations had changed. However, he remained grateful for his achievements and the support he received.

The former lightweight contender emphasized that financial difficulties had not forced his retirement decision. He previously explained that careful investments allowed him to consider opportunities beyond professional MMA. That financial stability gave him greater freedom when planning his future.

His agreement with ACBJJ now provides another competitive outlet. However, the different rules mean the upcoming contest should not be interpreted as a conventional UFC comeback.

Who Is Rashid Magomedov? Barboza’s Next Opponent

Rashid Magomedov is an experienced Russian fighter who competed in the UFC lightweight division between 2014 and 2017. He recorded five victories and one defeat during his promotional tenure. His only UFC loss came against Beneil Dariush by unanimous decision.

Magomedov’s UFC victories included decisions against Tony Martin, Elias Silverio, Gilbert Burns, and Bobby Green. His technical striking and defensive awareness helped him establish a successful promotional record. However, he eventually continued competing outside the organization.

The Russian later joined the Professional Fighters League and competed in other international MMA promotions. Those experiences exposed him to opponents with varied technical backgrounds. His wrestling and striking abilities could become important against Barboza’s kicking-focused offense.

The upcoming contest will provide another opportunity for Magomedov to compete against an established UFC veteran. However, his previous MMA results cannot directly determine how he will perform under ACBJJ rules. The restricted striking targets and submission opportunities create different tactical requirements.

Edson Barboza Previously Faced Shara Magomedov in Grappling

Barboza has already explored competitive grappling outside traditional MMA. Earlier in 2026, he faced UFC middleweight Sharabutdin Magomedov, commonly known as Shara Bullet, under the Hype FC banner. Their contest ended in a draw.

The appearance demonstrated Barboza’s willingness to test himself under different competition formats. Although he became famous for his striking, professional MMA also required him to develop defensive grappling skills. Those abilities can help him compete against opponents with stronger wrestling backgrounds.

His draw against Shara Magomedov provided experience outside the standard UFC ruleset. However, the upcoming ACBJJ contest introduces additional striking opportunities. That difference could create a more familiar competitive environment for the Brazilian veteran.

Barboza’s decision to continue competing also reflects a wider trend among retired MMA fighters. Wrestling and grappling events allow recognizable veterans to remain involved in competition through alternative formats. However, each ruleset creates different technical demands and safety considerations.

ACBJJ 23 Main Event Features Rousimar Palhares vs Andre Galvao

ACBJJ 23 will feature a headline battle match between Rousimar Palhares and Andre Galvao. Both competitors have extensive submission grappling backgrounds and previously faced each other at the 2011 ADCC World Championship. Their upcoming contest renews that history under different rules.

Palhares previously competed in the UFC and held the World Series of Fighting welterweight championship. He developed a reputation for dangerous leg locks and aggressive submission attacks. However, his career also included controversy surrounding the release of submission holds.

Galvao is among Brazilian jiu-jitsu’s most accomplished competitors. His achievements include multiple ADCC championship victories and major international grappling titles. The battle match format will require both men to consider permitted strikes alongside their submission techniques.

Their matchup provides an experienced grappling attraction for the event. It also highlights how ACBJJ is combining traditional submission specialists with former MMA competitors. Barboza and Magomedov will contribute another recognizable matchup to the lineup.

Rodolfo Vieira vs Kelvin Gastelum Set for Co-Main Event

Current UFC middleweights Rodolfo Vieira and Kelvin Gastelum will meet in a no-gi grappling contest. Their matchup will serve as the ACBJJ 23 co-main event. The pairing features two competitors whose professional backgrounds differ considerably.

Vieira established himself as an elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor before transitioning into MMA. His submission abilities helped him build a successful UFC career. Gastelum, meanwhile, became known for his boxing, wrestling, and experience against high-level middleweights.

Their contest will offer a different technical challenge from the event’s battle matches. Traditional no-gi competition emphasizes grappling without the striking opportunities available elsewhere on the card. Their contrasting strengths could produce several interesting exchanges.

Other UFC Veterans Scheduled for ACBJJ 23

The November 13 event also includes several recognizable fighters from the UFC and other major promotions. Organizers have arranged additional matchups involving experienced grapplers and former MMA contenders. The lineup combines established names with different competitive backgrounds.

The card includes fighters who previously competed across several weight divisions and organizations. Their experience should provide a variety of technical approaches throughout the event. However, official bout times and complete broadcast details have not been established.

What Does Edson Barboza’s Return Mean for His Career?

Barboza’s ACBJJ debut represents a continuation of his combat sports career rather than a return to conventional MMA. The Brazilian has already achieved considerable success through years of competition against elite UFC opponents. He now has an opportunity to remain active under alternative rules.

His professional MMA record remains 24 victories and 15 defeats. That total will not change based on the outcome of the upcoming grappling contest. Any result will instead become part of his separate competition history.

Barboza’s legacy includes memorable victories against Anthony Pettis, Dan Hooker, and Beneil Dariush. He also fought former champions and elite contenders such as Khabib Nurmagomedov, Tony Ferguson, and Justin Gaethje. His participation in major fights helped shape an important era of the UFC lightweight division.

His defeat against Nurmagomedov also featured during one of the sport’s most famous undefeated championship runs. The former lightweight champion’s achievements remain part of the longest winning streaks in UFC history. Barboza’s ability to compete against fighters of that caliber illustrates the level of opposition he encountered.

The upcoming matchup presents a different challenge from those earlier MMA appearances. His success will depend on adapting his technical skills to ACBJJ’s restricted striking targets. However, the event gives him an opportunity to continue competing without reversing his retirement decision.

Final Thoughts

Edson Barboza has booked his first competitive appearance since retiring from professional MMA in August 2026. The 40-year-old Brazilian will face former UFC lightweight Rashid Magomedov at ACBJJ 23 on November 13. Their battle match will feature body strikes and submissions under a modified combat sports ruleset.

The booking provides Barboza with another opportunity to showcase his striking skills in front of a Brazilian audience. However, the rules prohibit attacks above the collarbone, creating a different challenge from traditional MMA. Magomedov’s experience could also make the contest competitive.

ACBJJ 23 features several additional UFC veterans, including Rousimar Palhares, Rodolfo Vieira, and Kelvin Gastelum. Their participation creates an interesting lineup combining submission grappling and modified striking contests. For Barboza, the event marks the beginning of another competitive chapter following his emotional UFC retirement.

FAQs About Edson Barboza ACBJJ 23

1. Who is Edson Barboza fighting after UFC retirement?

Edson Barboza will face former UFC lightweight Rashid Magomedov at ACBJJ 23. Their matchup will take place under battle match rules rather than traditional MMA regulations.

2. When is Edson Barboza vs Rashid Magomedov taking place?

The matchup is scheduled for November 13, 2026, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It will feature on the ACBJJ 23 card alongside several other UFC veterans.

3. Has Edson Barboza officially ended his MMA retirement?

No. Barboza remains retired from professional MMA. His upcoming ACBJJ appearance uses a different competition format and will not count toward his professional MMA record.

4. What are the rules for Edson Barboza’s ACBJJ fight?

Battle match rules allow various strikes to permitted body areas alongside submissions and chokes. However, competitors cannot land strikes above the collarbone.

5. What is Edson Barboza’s professional MMA record?

Edson Barboza retired with 24 wins and 15 losses. His final UFC appearance came against Esteban Ribovics at UFC 330 on August 15, 2026.