Khamzat Chimaev didn’t take long to respond after Alex Pereira threw out an unexpected challenge. Following Pereira’s suggestion of a charity grappling match under the UFC’s new BJJ platform, the unbeaten middleweight contender fired back online with a short but pointed message.
On Instagram, Chimaev wrote:
“Let’s go, I can submit you both same night… Easy money.”
Khamzat Chimaev accepts Alex Pereira’s challenge 👀
“Let’s go I can submit you both same night… Easy money.” https://t.co/6w61X3LG5T pic.twitter.com/hXUtSGUpik
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) November 12, 2025
Pereira and Teixeira Throw Down the Challenge
The idea began in a short video released Wednesday by Alex Pereira and his coach Glover Teixeira, only weeks after Pereira reclaimed the light heavyweight title by knocking out Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320.
“First of all, he needs to get there,” Teixeira said. “We need Jon Jones, we want Jon Jones, a bigger name. But Chimaev fights that guy there. If he fights that guy, I’ll bet my house on it.”
When Pereira joined in, the champion proposed testing himself in Chimaev’s own area of strength.
“That guy says he wants to fight with me, he’s gotta get out there, understand?” Pereira said. “He’s far, but I could challenge fight in his area if he wants. Let me look at you directly, let’s fight in your area. Let’s fight in grappling. And another thing, we can fight in the UFC. UFC is doing BJJ, right? UFC BJJ. Let’s do that then, let’s make it happen.”
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For Charity, Not Rivalry
Pereira also stated that any purse from such an event would be donated in full to charity.
“Another thing,” he added. “I don’t even know how much I’ll make — good money, though, you know who I am, the money is good — that money will be donated 100 percent to charity. That work for you? Chama.”
Chimaev’s swift reaction turned the playful callout into a trending story, with fans debating whether the champions might actually meet under grappling rules.
At the same time, Islam Makhachev, who is set to face Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322, shut down talk of moving up to challenge Chimaev in the future. The former lightweight titleholder made it clear that such a matchup isn’t in his plans right now.
For now, Pereira stands atop the light heavyweight division, Chimaev remains undefeated at middleweight, and their exchange adds a fresh spark to the ongoing conversations about champion-versus-champion showdowns.
