Khamzat Chimaev vs Jorge Masvidal Confirmed for Submission-Only Grappling Match in Dubai

Khamzat Chimaev has added another major name to his growing list of opponents outside the UFC. The former middleweight champion will face Jorge Masvidal in a submission-only grappling contest on December 4 in Dubai. Khamzat Chimaev vs Jorge Masvidal will headline ALF League’s inaugural event at The Agenda. The announcement comes as Chimaev prepares for another wrestling match against Colby Covington later this month.

Khamzat Chimaev vs Jorge Masvidal Set for ALF League Debut

Khamzat Chimaev (15-1) and Jorge Masvidal (35-17) will compete in a submission-only grappling match on December 4, 2026. The contest headlines ALF League’s first event at The Agenda in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Organizers announced the matchup on Sunday, November 1.

The booking brings together two recognizable fighters with different competitive backgrounds. Chimaev has built his reputation around relentless wrestling, positional control, and submission threats. Masvidal became a major UFC attraction through his striking, knockout power, and aggressive fighting style.

However, their upcoming meeting will not take place under traditional MMA rules. Instead, both competitors must rely on grappling techniques without punches, kicks, or other strikes. The format creates an interesting challenge for Masvidal against an opponent known for controlling experienced fighters.

The event also marks an important milestone for ALF League. The new promotion has secured two established combat sports personalities for its inaugural headline attraction. Additional fight announcements are expected as the December event approaches.

Khamzat Chimaev vs Jorge Masvidal Fight Date, Venue and Rules

The matchup is scheduled for Friday, December 4, at The Agenda in Dubai. Both fighters will compete under submission-only grappling rules rather than the UFC’s standard mixed martial arts format. The organizers have not yet released a complete event lineup.

Submission-only competition places greater emphasis on securing a decisive finish through grappling techniques. Fighters can attack with chokes and joint locks instead of relying on striking exchanges. However, the precise time limit and procedures for a match without a submission have not been confirmed.

For Chimaev, the format provides another opportunity to demonstrate his grappling abilities against a familiar UFC name. Masvidal faces a different challenge because much of his professional success came through striking. Their contrasting backgrounds will attract attention before the event.

Chimaev Continues Wrestling Career After Losing UFC Middleweight Title

Chimaev has remained active outside the Octagon since losing his middleweight championship earlier this year. Sean Strickland defeated him by split decision at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026. The result ended Chimaev’s undefeated professional MMA record and his first UFC title reign.

The 32-year-old previously captured the middleweight championship against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 in August 2025. His wrestling played an important role in that victory. However, Strickland successfully challenged him during their championship contest nine months later.

Since the defeat, Chimaev has repeatedly expressed interest in returning to UFC competition. He has also demanded another opportunity against Strickland, who remains the middleweight champion. Their ongoing disagreement has continued attracting attention despite the absence of an official rematch.

The former champion recently made a $1 million challenge for a Sean Strickland rematch. His public comments demonstrated that reclaiming the UFC title remains an important ambition. However, his latest ALF booking shows he intends to continue competing outside MMA while awaiting another opportunity.

Chimaev Has Defeated Four UFC Names in RAF Wrestling Matches

Chimaev has recorded four victories under the Real American Freestyle banner since his middleweight championship defeat. His opponents included Robbie Lawler, Tyron Woodley, Gilbert Burns, and Dillon Danis. The matches allowed him to compete against established combat sports personalities without returning to MMA.

His victory over Burns was particularly notable because the two previously fought at UFC 273 in April 2022. Chimaev defeated the Brazilian by unanimous decision during their original MMA encounter. Their subsequent wrestling contest provided another opportunity to test their skills under different rules.

The former champion also defeated Lawler during RAF 14 in October. His performance added another recognizable name to his wrestling record. The Khamzat Chimaev vs Robbie Lawler result highlighted his continued activity away from the UFC.

However, freestyle wrestling differs significantly from submission-only grappling. Traditional wrestling emphasizes takedowns, control, and pins rather than forcing an opponent to submit. Chimaev must therefore adapt his approach when facing Masvidal in December.

Khamzat Chimaev Will Face Colby Covington Before Masvidal

Chimaev already has another major wrestling commitment before his Dubai appearance. He is scheduled to face Colby Covington on November 14 in Abu Dhabi. Their contest will headline an upcoming Real American Freestyle event.

The matchup gives Chimaev another opportunity to compete against a former UFC titleholder. Covington previously held the interim UFC welterweight championship and remains known for his wrestling background. His experience could create a demanding challenge for Chimaev on the mat.

The Abu Dhabi contest will take place just 20 days before the ALF League event. That schedule gives Chimaev a relatively short period between two high-profile grappling appearances. However, he has already demonstrated a willingness to maintain an active competition schedule.

Covington and Chimaev also share connections through their previous UFC rivalries. Both fighters have competed against several established welterweights throughout their careers. Their upcoming RAF Abu Dhabi wrestling matchup adds another chapter to Chimaev’s crossover competition schedule.

Jorge Masvidal Returns After More Than Two Years Away From Competition

Masvidal has not competed professionally since his boxing match against Nate Diaz in July 2024. The former UFC BMF champion lost that contest by majority decision. His upcoming appearance against Chimaev will therefore mark a return to competition after more than two years.

The 41-year-old last competed in the UFC against Gilbert Burns at UFC 287 in April 2023. Burns defeated him by unanimous decision after using effective wrestling and positional control. Masvidal announced his retirement from professional MMA following that defeat.

However, he subsequently expressed interest in returning to the Octagon. The Miami native has mentioned several possible opponents while discussing his competitive future. Nevertheless, no new UFC fight has been officially announced.

Masvidal’s upcoming grappling contest provides a different opportunity from the striking exchanges that defined much of his career. He will face an opponent whose strongest weapons involve wrestling and ground control. The matchup could test aspects of Masvidal’s skill set that were less prominent during his biggest UFC victories.

Masvidal’s UFC Career Featured Several Memorable Knockouts

Masvidal gained widespread recognition through his performances against established welterweight opponents. His five-second flying knee knockout against Ben Askren at UFC 239 remains the fastest finish in UFC history. The victory helped transform him into one of the promotion’s biggest attractions.

He later defeated Nate Diaz at UFC 244 to become the inaugural BMF champion. Their fight ended through a doctor’s stoppage after three rounds. Masvidal subsequently challenged Kamaru Usman for the undisputed welterweight championship on two occasions.

However, his final UFC appearances produced disappointing results. He suffered consecutive defeats against Usman, Covington, and Burns after his unsuccessful first title challenge. Those setbacks eventually contributed to his retirement announcement in 2023.

His professional MMA record includes 35 victories and 17 defeats, with only two wins coming by submission. That record illustrates how heavily his career relied on striking rather than submission finishes. The December matchup therefore presents a distinctly different challenge.

Why Submission-Only Rules Could Favor Khamzat Chimaev

Chimaev’s wrestling and submission skills make him a difficult opponent in a grappling-only contest. His UFC performances demonstrated an ability to secure takedowns and maintain control against experienced competitors. He also recorded several submission victories during his professional MMA career.

Masvidal developed a reputation for defending takedowns while looking for opportunities to counter with strikes. However, punches and kicks will not be available in the upcoming contest. That restriction removes several offensive weapons that contributed to his success.

Chimaev can focus on establishing dominant grappling positions without worrying about traditional striking exchanges. His ability to transition between wrestling and submission attempts could become important. Masvidal must rely on defensive grappling and positional awareness to prevent those opportunities.

However, the outcome cannot be determined through MMA records alone. Submission-only competition creates different tactical demands from both mixed martial arts and freestyle wrestling. Both fighters will need to adapt their approaches to the event’s specific rules.

Can Masvidal’s Defensive Grappling Challenge Chimaev?

Masvidal has extensive professional MMA experience against high-level wrestlers. His previous opponents include Colby Covington, Kamaru Usman, and Gilbert Burns. Those matchups required him to defend takedowns and work through difficult grappling positions.

However, his most recent UFC appearance exposed problems against sustained ground control. Burns secured several takedowns and limited Masvidal’s offensive opportunities during their contest. That performance provides relevant context for his upcoming meeting with Chimaev.

Masvidal could benefit from his experience defending submissions during a lengthy MMA career. Nevertheless, Chimaev’s aggressive wrestling presents a demanding challenge without the threat of strikes. The matchup will test whether Masvidal can neutralize that pressure under submission-only rules.

What Does ALF League’s First Event Mean for Grappling?

ALF League’s inaugural event will enter a growing combat sports market built around recognizable fighters competing outside MMA. The promotion has immediately attracted attention by booking Chimaev against Masvidal. Their established fan bases could help introduce the league to a broader audience.

Other organizations have already demonstrated interest in crossover competitions involving MMA veterans. Real American Freestyle has featured several former UFC champions and recognizable personalities throughout 2026. ALF League now appears positioned to explore a similar market through submission grappling.

However, the promotions use different competitive formats. RAF focuses on freestyle wrestling, while ALF League’s announced headline contest uses submission-only rules. Those differences could attract fighters with specialized grappling backgrounds.

The full card, broadcast arrangements, and additional competitors have not yet been confirmed. Further announcements will reveal how the promotion intends to develop its inaugural event. For now, Chimaev and Masvidal remain its biggest announced attraction.

Could Chimaev Return to the UFC After Facing Masvidal?

Chimaev has consistently expressed interest in returning to UFC competition following his first professional MMA defeat. His preferred opponent remains Sean Strickland, although the promotion has not confirmed a rematch. The former champion continues seeking another opportunity to reclaim middleweight gold.

His recent wrestling appearances have allowed him to remain active while awaiting another UFC booking. However, the December contest does not establish when he will compete in MMA again. His next move could depend on developments within the middleweight championship picture.

Strickland has also been linked with a possible title defense against Nassourdine Imavov. That matchup could influence Chimaev’s opportunities in the division. However, the UFC has not officially announced his next opponent.

For Masvidal, the ALF League appearance could provide another opportunity to evaluate his competitive future. He has repeatedly suggested that his MMA retirement might not be permanent. Nevertheless, the December grappling match does not represent an official UFC comeback.

Final Thoughts

Khamzat Chimaev and Jorge Masvidal will headline ALF League’s inaugural event in Dubai on December 4. Their submission-only contest brings together two recognizable former UFC stars with contrasting fighting styles. Chimaev enters with extensive wrestling experience, while Masvidal built his reputation through dangerous striking.

The matchup also continues Chimaev’s busy schedule outside the UFC. He will first face Colby Covington at RAF Abu Dhabi on November 14 before turning his attention to Masvidal. His willingness to compete regularly demonstrates his continued interest in combat sports competition.

Masvidal faces a different challenge after spending more than two years away from professional competition. His experience remains considerable, but submission-only rules remove many of his preferred offensive weapons. Their Dubai meeting will reveal how both fighters adapt to the new format.

FAQs About Khamzat Chimaev vs Jorge Masvidal

1. When is Khamzat Chimaev vs Jorge Masvidal taking place?

Khamzat Chimaev and Jorge Masvidal will compete on December 4, 2026. Their submission-only grappling match will headline ALF League’s inaugural event in Dubai.

2. Where will Khamzat Chimaev vs Jorge Masvidal happen?

The contest will take place at The Agenda in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It will serve as the headline attraction for ALF League 1.

3. Is Khamzat Chimaev vs Jorge Masvidal a UFC fight?

No. The matchup is a submission-only grappling contest organized by ALF League. It will not count toward either fighter’s professional MMA record.

4. Who is Khamzat Chimaev fighting before Jorge Masvidal?

Chimaev is scheduled to face Colby Covington in a Real American Freestyle wrestling match on November 14, 2026. Their contest will take place in Abu Dhabi.

5. What is Jorge Masvidal’s current professional MMA record?

Jorge Masvidal holds a professional MMA record of 35 wins and 17 losses. His last UFC appearance came against Gilbert Burns in April 2023.