Khamzat Chimaev Submits Light Heavyweight in an Intense Grappling Session in Bosnia

Fans may have witnessed multiple videos of Khamzat Chimaev rolling on the mats with Arman Tsarukyan. But this time, the former UFC middleweight champion chose a light heavyweight partner for a similar session. After an intense contest, Chimaev neutralised his opponent's weight advantage and submitted him with a technique that most UFC fans would recognize in a second.

Khamzat Chimaev Submits Light Heavyweight Opponent With Ronda Rousey's Signature Maneuver

Chimaev visited a training facility during his recent trip to Bosnia, where he engaged in a friendly grappling session with the 11-9 pro-MMA record-holding Bosnian light heavyweight, Tomislav 'The Beast' Spahovic. Chimaev and Spahovic never became hostile towards each other, but their session became intense real quick due to the competitive drive in both athletes.

The contest moved out of the area confined for grappling as Chimaev and Spahovic hit the walls, knocking off a decorative piece. None of them gave up, even after the kicking bag got in their way. 

Despite Spahovic's commendable resistance, 'Borz' eventually outmaneuvered him to extend his arm and trap it in an armbar, just like the former UFC women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey did to most of her UFC opponents.

Things got a little intense in Bosnia as Khamzat Chimaev wrestled Light heavyweight Tomo Spahovic

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— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) September 29, 2026

Such sessions indicate that the Chechen fighter is in good shape and should be looking forward to his next fight. Chimaev has also made multiple comments related to his next fight since the end of June, but Dana White and Co. have yet to release an official confirmation.

At the end of June, Chimaev was hell-bent on avenging his UFC 328 loss to Sean Strickland. He also shared an X update asking the reigning middleweight champ to accept the rematch. However, by mid-August, Chimaev had probably learned by mid-August that he wouldn't be getting his eagerly desired rematch against Strickland.

He involved Dana White in the issue with an X update on August 18, asking him for his next fight. On September 3, Chimaev also named Caio Borralho as his preferred opponent, but there has been no further development regarding the issue.

In a two-week-old interview with Adam Zubayrev, Chimaev mentioned that he would like to take a break to treat his lingering injuries if the UFC doesn't schedule his next fight by December. 'Borz said, "As for the fight, I’m trying to get one. I was trying to get one in October, and now I’m trying for December. If nothing happens in December, I think I’ll take a little break. I have a lot of injuries. I need to get them treated. I’ve been putting off my surgeries, putting them off, putting them off, and I go into every fight with some kind of problem."

So while it's clear that Chimaev is in the condition to accept his next fight, all he is waiting for is probably a call from Dana White or Hunter Campbell.