Masvidal Targets A UFC Return; Wants Leon Edwards
Jorge Masvidal has revealed that he wants to face Leon Edwards on his UFC return.
Masvidal is in talks to return to the promotion after he retired once he lost to Gilbert Burns at UFC 287. It was his fourth loss in a row, as Gamebread called time on his career. He left the UFC with a credible resume, having become the BMF Champion in 2019 when he beat Nate Diaz at UFC 244. He also has the fastest knockout in the history of the UFC when he stopped Ben Askren in five seconds.
He came out of retirement this year to box Nate Diaz. The fight went the distance, but Masvidal lost via a majority decision. Masvidal is open to a third fight on neutral territory while also suggesting that he could target an exhibition with Floyd Mayweather. But in the meantime, his focus is on fighting in the UFC. He targeted the former UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards.
Masvidal On Edwards
“Give me…Leon Edwards, bro. Is he an up-and-coming guy? What would you call him? A veteran? Ex-champion? Whatever you call that….give me that. Let’s go. We’ve got a built-in history. (The UFC) has got the whole promo. He’s 0-1 against me. Let’s go. Let’s do the fight at the end of the year, next year. That’s it. Let’s get it done. And then, after I knock his ass out, guess what? They’ve got to give me the title shot,” Masvidal said
They were meant to fight at UFC 269. However, Gamebread pulled out after suffering an injury. Edwards is coming off a loss to Belal Muhammad at UFC 304. He was dominated in a unanimous decision defeat, losing his UFC Welterweight Title. That has disrupted his plans as he was keen on facing Islam Makhachev, the UFC Lightweight Champion, who expressed his desire to move up. The UFC also appears against the Masvidal-Edwards fight.
Other Options
That leaves Gambread with fewer options. He could push for a Diaz fight in the UFC. Diaz has expressed his wish to return, having not fought in the promotion since beating Tony Ferguson at UFC 279. Masvidal’s win over Diaz at UFC 244 was also underwhelming. The fight was stopped at the end of the third round after Diaz suffered a cut over his eye.
A rematch would undoubtedly put an end to that controversy. Since they are not tied to any other promotion, it could be made if there is enough demand for it. But for now, an Edwards fight is out of the question.
“Of course, I did (asked to fight Edwards in his return). Man, the first thing I told his (Hunter Campbell’s)…Yeah, they shut it down. Said they won’t do that. Okay, we’ll see who’s next. I heard he doesn’t want to fight. Who knows [why]? Maybe because I beat the [hell] out of that guy, almost knocked him out,” Masvidal stated
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