Jorge
Masvidal remembers exactly how Kimbo
Slice influenced his career.

Speaking to Daniel
Cormier, the former
Ultimate Fighting Championship title challenger and BMF champ
detailed how a shared connection to Miami’s Freestyle Fighting
Academy eventually led to him competing on Slice’s backyard-fight
platform.

Jorge Masvidal recalls how Kimbo Slice gave him a shot on his
backyard-fight platform

Masvidal revealed that he and Slice came from nearby areas, had
mutual friends and began training together at the same gym. By
then, Masvidal was already pursuing mixed martial arts
seriously.

“Well, particularly with Kimbo, it just so happened we didn't grow
up far from each other,†Masvidal said. “We had some friends in
common and we ended up at the same gym, Freestyle Fighting Academy,
and we started training.â€

Masvidal recalled already having amateur fights and grappling
experience when one of the gym owners asked Slice to watch him
spar. At the time, Slice's videos were generating massive attention
online.

“One of the gym owners asked him, goes, ‘Man, I got a really
talented dude. I want you to watch him spar and see if you'll put
him on,'†Masvidal said. “I always give him big props because he
put me on his platform. He didn't have to.â€

Masvidal said the fights were kept secret because organizers risked
fines and potential arrest, and recalled receiving just two hours’
notice before one event. The first event took place in Liberty
City, Miami, behind a laundromat. Before Masvidal’s bout, Slice
warned him about his opponent’s right hand.

“I'm going to give you the location right now. You got two hours to
get there,†Masvidal recalled being told. “He comes back about 20
seconds later and he goes, ‘Keep your left hand up. He's got a
really, really good right.' So, we got in there, and we made magic,
man.â€

Khamzat
Chimaev understands why Nassourdine
Imavov is the frontrunner to face Sean
Strickland.

Chimaev has been pushing for an immediate rematch with Strickland
after losing the
Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight title, but is now
open to waiting for a title shot. Amidst reports that Strickland
vs. Imavov 2 is being targeted for later this year, “Borz†has set
his sights on the victor.

Khamzat Chimaev wants the winner of Sean Strickland vs.
Nassourdine Imavov 2

Chimaev acknowledged that Imavov, who's won five fights in a row
since previously losing to Strickland, has been waiting for a
deserved title shot for quite some time.

“No, there's no surprise,†Chimaev told Ushatayka, as seen in a
clip reposted by Championship Rounds on X. “How long has Imavov
been waiting now? Probably around two years. He's already the
contender. Whoever wins, we'll take him.â€

In the same interview, Chimaev asserted that he has no plans to
leave the division, despite his team previously hinting at a light
heavyweight move in the aftermath of his loss to Strickland.

“No,†Chimaev replied when asked about moving up a weight class.
“Until we break everybody at 185, I'm not going anywhere.â€

🚨 Khamzat
Chimaev reacts to the rumors of Sean
Strickland defending his title against Nassourdine
Imavov in December:

“There’s no surprise. How long has Imavov been waiting now? He’s
already the contender. Whoever wins, we’ll take him.”

He also says he’s staying at… pic.twitter.com/Ke42SjzOLy

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS)
September 3, 2026

Young featherweight debutants are reportedly set to clash at the
fourth edition of
Ultimate Fighting Championship's Mexican Independence Day
celebration.

Jessie
Rosas will take on Sean King in
a featherweight clash at
Noche UFC 4 on Sept. 12 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale,
Arizona. They are set to collide on the Fight Night's prelims.

Jessie Rosas draws unbeaten Sean King for his UFC debut in
Glendale

Rosas (8-1) is currently on a three-fight winning streak since his
lone professional loss in 2024. The 23-year-old has finished six of
his eight career wins. While Rosas shuffles between bantamweight
and featherweight, he will make his UFC debut at 145 pounds. He is
the older brother of UFC bantamweight Raul Rosas
Jr.

Meanwhile, King (6-0) was originally expected to fight on
Dana White's Contender Series in October. However, the
22-year-old now gets a direct entry into the big stage. King is
undefeated in six pro fights since turning pro last year. He also
has a perfect amateur record filled with submission wins.

The matchup was first reported by Marcel Dorff.

🚨🚨#NocheUFC🚨🚨

Double debuts at #NocheUFC.
Jessie
Rosas takes on Sean King
next week in Glendale, Arizona. pic.twitter.com/qF0JrmH3q4

— Marcel Dorff 🇳🇱🇮🇩 (@BigMarcel24)
September 4, 2026