Islam Makhachev Grappling Side Quest Could Put Khamzat Chimaev, Colby Covington in Frame

Islam Makhachev’s most intriguing possible matchup outside the Octagon may be the one his manager says would need to be competitive. Rizvan Magomedov has floated grappling contests for the welterweight champion, naming Khamzat Chimaev, Colby Covington and Kamaru Usman as opponents who could make the format meaningful.

That distinction shapes the idea. Magomedov dismissed a bout with a Diaz brother as a publicity play that would be one-sided, especially in wrestling. His preferred standard is a credible threat: a rival with the skills to test Makhachev rather than simply draw attention to the event.

Magomedov’s shortlist points to wrestling first

Speaking in a recent interview with Bostanov MMA, Magomedov left the door open to seeing Makhachev compete in grappling. “We cannot rule out seeing him compete (in grappling),” he said, in comments reported by Red Corner MMA.

He then explained why a Diaz matchup didn’t appeal to him: “For publicity, we could bring a Diaz brother. But it would not be interesting. It would be one-sided. I do not see any threat, especially in wrestling.” Instead, Magomedov said, “We should look at guys who can wrestle.” He cited Covington, Chimaev and Usman, while leaving room to consider other names.

The list is notable because each name carries a different kind of sporting interest. Chimaev offers the most immediate intrigue as a high-profile wrestler and fellow UFC star. Covington brings a background in wrestling and recent experience in grappling events. Usman has a history with Makhachev as a proposed opponent: in 2025, before Makhachev was booked to defend his welterweight title against Ian Machado Garry, he pushed for a matchup with the former champion.

These are possibilities raised by Magomedov, not announced bookings. His comments outline the kind of opponent he believes could make a side event worth watching; they don’t establish that Makhachev is pursuing one.

Chimaev could revive a matchup outside the UFC

A Makhachev-Chimaev meeting has become harder to picture inside the UFC after Chimaev left the welterweight division because of weight struggles. A grappling contest could offer a different setting for the matchup, though there is no indication that either fighter has agreed to it.

The appeal would rest on the contrast between a familiar rivalry question and a different competitive test. Fans who have wondered how the two would fare against each other could see their wrestling and grappling skills matched without the usual requirements of a UFC bout. But the format would also determine how much the result could say about a future fight: a grappling contest answers questions about that contest, not every question about a mixed martial arts matchup.

Makhachev has already shown his grappling on a major stage. At UFC 284 in Perth, he worked for a submission against Alexander Volkanovski during their lightweight championship fight.

Other fighters are already taking outside matches

Makhachev would be joining a growing pattern among UFC fighters who compete elsewhere between appearances in the Octagon. Arman Tsarukyan and Chimaev have wrestled for Real American Freestyle, while Tsarukyan has also taken part in submission-only bouts under other banners. Those appearances create additional tests for elite grapplers and give fans a chance to see familiar athletes in a narrower ruleset.

Covington has been especially active outside the UFC since retiring from UFC competition. He became the cruiserweight crossover champion in RAF, then lost by submission to Raul Rosas Jr. in a late-notice submission-only match at a Hype FC event in Rome, Italy. The source initially describes the finish as a 37-second loss; its linked report’s headline describes it as a 43-second submission. Either way, the result was quick, and it gives a potential Makhachev-Covington contest a recent point of reference without settling how a meeting between them would unfold.

Usman, by contrast, has yet to compete away from the UFC in RAF or organizations such as Hype FC, like Makhachev. That makes his name on Magomedov’s list an interesting possibility, particularly given Makhachev’s earlier interest in facing him. Still, a past push for a matchup does not confirm current plans.

Makhachev’s return remains the bigger question

The timing is complicated by uncertainty around Makhachev’s UFC return in 2027. Dana White has alleged that Makhachev verbally agreed to defend his welterweight belt against Carlos Prates at UFC 336 next January, then changed his mind. That account has added scrutiny to Makhachev’s activity level, but Magomedov’s grappling comments do not resolve when the champion will compete again or whether an outside event would fit around his UFC schedule.

For now, the side quest is an idea with a clear premise: choose an opponent who can wrestle, and make the contest competitive enough to matter on its own. Chimaev is the sharpest headline matchup, Covington the most active outside competitor, and Usman a familiar name from Makhachev’s recent plans. Whether any of them steps onto the mat with him depends on Makhachev’s own interest and schedule.