Jorge Masvidal undoubtedly surprised the MMA world in 2019. The way he has been able to turn his career around is stunning
Masvidal’s career up until 2019 had been sub-par in the UFC. Masvidal was known as the guy who could get very close to title contention but would fall short. Masvidal acknowledged that he let to many close decisions slip and he could have done more to end fights. Boy, did he do that in 2019 with 3 wins all by stoppage? Wins over Darren Till, Ben Askren, and Nate Diaz can only mean that Masvidal has plenty of options for megafights in 2020.
Conor McGregor
Although Dana White shot down this idea, MMA fans know that this is a fight that all MMA fans want. On record, Masvidal has said, “I’m to much of a man for him”. This undoubtedly has sparked interest in McGregor who does not back away from challenges.
The thought that a fight for an unofficial belt could drive more hype than actual gold speaks volumes about these two men. Masvidal’s stock has risen and any MMA fan will tell you that they love seeing him fight. McGregor is still MMA’s biggest draw and whoever he fights will attract attention.
McGregor and Masvidal both have publicly stated they want to fight each other. McGregor has made it clear that he wants that ‘BMF’ belt. If he can get past Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 I see this fight being made in the summer sometime.
Nick Diaz
Can Nick Diaz avenge the loss of his younger brother Nate? A fight that was in the works years ago certainly has the potential to materialize. Nick Diaz has not fought since November of 2015 and is eager to get back in the Octagon. In an interview with Espn’s Ariel following his younger brother’s loss Diaz stated ” This guy Masvidal can do anything he wants right now to make the most money possible. Let’s do it. Let’s make it happen”.
I truly believe this fight will happen but the real question is when? If McGregor gets past Cerrone, you can circle in a McGregor vs Masvidal matchup in the summer which leaves this fight at the end of 2020 or early 2021.
Kamaru Usman
A fight with Usman makes a ton of sense for Masvidal. He holds the Welterweight title and Masvidal is the 3rd ranked fighter in the division. But ‘Gamebred’ just doesn’t seem interested in the fight. In an interview with Yahoo sports Masvidal went in-depth talking about a fight with the welterweight champion
“I’m the ticket at 170 pounds. I’m going to go and get the biggest, best and toughest fights”. Furthermore, he elaborates on the fights he wants before taking on the welterweight champ.
“It’s looking like we might fight Nick Diaz or Conor McGregor next. Obviously those fights come first because of the paycheck and everything it brings”.
Usman doesn’t offer the same hype that McGregor and Diaz do. It’s very hard to argue that. Ultimately the title shot will be there waiting for Masvidal and the ‘BMF’ will decide when he wants to go for the title.