Chimaev and Masvidal reportedly set for submission-only grappling match in Dubai on Dec. 4

Khamzat Chimaev and Jorge Masvidal are reportedly set to square off in a submission-only grappling match on December 4 at The Agenda in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The bout is expected to headline ALF League’s inaugural event, according to MMA Fighting, though the promotion’s original social media post announcing the pairing has since been removed.

Chimaev has kept busy on the grappling and wrestling circuit since dropping his UFC middleweight title to Sean Strickland by split decision at UFC 328 in May. Under the Real American Freestyle banner, he has taken on Dillon Danis, Tyron Woodley, Gilbert Burns, and Robbie Lawler. The December date would follow another reported assignment: Chimaev is set to face former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington in the main event of RAF Abu Dhabi on November 14, meaning the Masvidal match would come just 20 days later.

Masvidal, meanwhile, has not competed in MMA since 2023. The former UFC welterweight title challenger most recently stepped into a boxing ring in July 2024, where he dropped a decision to Nate Diaz. A submission-only grappling contest against one of the sport’s most dangerous wrestlers would represent a significant stylistic challenge for “Gamebred”.

The deletion of ALF League’s original post leaves some uncertainty around whether the match is fully confirmed, and neither fighter’s camp has publicly commented on the reported booking.