Jorge Masvidal is fresh off of back-to-back highlight-reel knockouts. The finishes of Darren Till and Ben Askren, which set a UFC record for fastest knockout in the promotion’s history at just five seconds, have vaulted Masvidal into the title picture at 170-pounds.
But will the Miami native actually get a shot at the welterweight championship?
If he gets his wish, Masvidal will not step his feet back into the Octagon unless it is for a shot at UFC gold or a specific opponent. Masvidal has expressed his desire to fight former two-division champion Jorge Masvidal and his manager has now confirmed that Masvidal will only accept his next fight if it is against the Irishman or for the belt.
Malki Kawa from First Round Management wrote:
Just confirmed @GamebredFighter next fight will be either for the championship (if Usman accepts) or @TheNotoriousMMA (if he accepts). Those are the only 2 fights he is taking. Source: his Mgr @Abraham_kawa
Following his big win over Askren, Masvidal began expressing his interest in a big money fight and taking on McGregor if he was not granted a title shot.
“I want McGregor, man,” Masvidal said during an appearance on The Dan LeBatard Show, via ESPN.com. “I want to break his face. I think that’s an easy paycheck. He’s got these cash symbols written all over his face for me. I just don’t see it going his way at all, if I’m honest with you. It’d just be more money, more fans. And then fight for the title. Or the title. Either one of them makes sense to me.
“I think either or equal out to big, big checks. So I’m happy with either or. I think Conor is a bigger check, so I wouldn’t mind Conor. I want to put money away in the bank. Like I said, I’ve been doing this a while.”
If the two do eventually face off, Masvidal believes he would be able to “break” McGregor in the cage.
“He taps,” Masvidal said. “I have never tapped in my whole entire career. He’s tapped a couple of times. That’s backing down right there in my book. So, that’s something that I’ve never done and I feel like I’d break him. It’d be an easy fight.”
Who do you think would win a fight between Masvidal and McGregor? Sound off in the comments section below with your thoughts.
