Chael Sonnen trolls Jorge Masvidal before RAF Moscow amid talks of "Gamebred's" UFC return

Jorge Masvidal and Chael Sonnen's unlikely rivalry has intensified over the past several months.

"The American Gangster" has now seemingly added fuel to their already-fiery feud, trolling Masvidal at a time when there's widespread speculation surrounding the latter's UFC comeback. 

Real American Freestyle wrestling personality and MMA vet Chael Sonnen trolls Jorge Masvidal before RAF Moscow

Former UFC middleweight and light heavyweight championship challenger Chael Sonnen boasts a respectable amateur wrestling background. Sonnen, an NCAA Division I All-American, has long been a proponent of wrestling. 

The Oregon representative has, as such, been closely associated with the U.S.-headquartered Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling organization. He often conducts interviews at RAF events, in addition to operating on social media via multiple platforms, giving his opinions on combat sports and beyond. 

Sonnen has now taken to his official X handle to suggest that he's headed to Moscow, Russia, for the next RAF card. Former UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev and former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley are set to clash in a catchweight freestyle wrestling match, which would headline RAF Moscow at the VTB Arena in Moscow come September 5. 

Sonnen, in his X post, segued from announcing his imminent Russia trip to trolling fellow UFC veteran, the inaugural BMF champion Jorge Masvidal. Incidentally, Masvidal has lately made waves in the Russian combat sports realm, as his Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA organization is expanding into the Eurasian nation this year. 

In an apparent jibe at the hair transplant that Masvidal underwent earlier this year, Sonnen mocked the ex-BMF titlist with a poetic post. "The Bad Guy" wrote: 

"Russia next week; for R.A.F. Where dudes keep wrestlin' till there's nothin' LEFF. You're money if you SHOOT. You're dam*ed if you STALL. You'll prolly get the BOOT. If you don't give your ALL. Lookin' forward to the show. It's gonna be BIG. If MasviDumb attends, I'ma rip off his WIG." 

Russia next week; for R.A.F.
Where dudes keep wrestlin' 'til there's nothin' LEFF
You're money if you SHOOT
You're damned if you STALL
You'll prolly get the BOOT
If you don't give your ALL
Lookin' forward to the show
It's gonna be BIG
If MasviDumb attends
I'ma rip off his WIG

— Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) August 26, 2026

Jorge Masvidal had challenged Chael Sonnen to a bare-knuckle MMA fight in Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA

Considering that Jorge Masvidal retired from MMA in 2023, preceded by Sonnen's retirement in 2019, not many expected them to feud. The two MMA superstars had, for years, hailed each other's respective gift of gab and stardom. Nevertheless, Masvidal has been hinting that he's set to unretire and compete in the UFC again, possibly against old rival Leon Edwards. 

Sonnen publicly countered the claims of his UFC comeback and questioned whether Masvidal would ever get to compete in the world's top MMA organization again. 

During an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show to promote Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 10 earlier this year, Masvidal fired back at Sonnen. 

"Gamebred" indicated that Sonnen was being vindictive after losing the opportunity to be a member of the UFC on Paramount podcast, Deep Waters, which also features other UFC veterans like Din Thomas, Chris Weidman, and Dustin Poirier.

He said, "In all honesty, Chael is doing bad in life... He applied for this new gig I got over at Deep Waters, Paramount." 

Furthermore, he appeared to challenge Sonnen to a bare-knuckle MMA fight in his organization, Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA. Masvidal cited Sonnen's reported use of banned PEDs/steroids, which, he noted, would make it impossible for the 49-year-old to pass a UFC-related drug test and make their UFC clash unfeasible. 

The 41-year-old Masvidal said, "He (Chael Sonnen) got kicked out of UFC. It has to only happen on my show (Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA)." 

Watch Jorge Masvidal's challenge to Chael Sonnen below (*comments at the 8:00-minute mark of the video):