Jorge Masvidal is making his way back to competitive action, but this time he is trading the cage for the grappling mats. The former UFC welterweight contender will face Shara Magomedov in a submission-only grappling match under the Hype FC banner on March 11 at the Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The matchup represents a significant shift for Masvidal, who has not competed since dropping a boxing decision to Nate Diaz in July 2024. His absence from mixed martial arts competition has stretched nearly three years, making this grappling contest a notable return to the spotlight for Gamebred. Masvidal had an interesting grappling match with Anthony Pettis back in 2019. He’s not competed in grappling since.
For Magomedov, this is not his first experience in pure grappling competition. He recently tested his ground game against top lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan at ACBJJ Armenia on December 30. That encounter ended in a draw after six minutes of action, with neither athlete able to secure a submission despite Tsarukyan’s repeated takedowns and positional control.
Magomedov’s defensive capabilities proved resilient enough to survive. He utilized his striking background to defend intelligently, using the ropes for assistance and blocking takedown attempts with his legs. Without a submission finish, the match was declared a draw per competition rules.
Hype FC has been building a reputation for booking intriguing crossover grappling matches. The promotion previously had Tsarukyan grapple Chimaev as a part of their reality series. The promotion previously attempted to arrange a bout between Tsarukyan and actor Tom Hardy, showcasing its ambition to create headline-grabbing events.
Magomedov continues to build his profile both inside and outside traditional MMA competition. The 185 lbs (84 kg) contender has recently expressed interest in testing himself against light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, though that remains speculative at this stage.
The March 11 event in Rio de Janeiro promises to deliver an intriguing stylistic contrast. Masvidal brings veteran savvy and experience from the highest levels of competition, while Magomedov arrives with momentum from his performance against Tsarukyan and the confidence that comes with being currently active in the UFC.
