Jorge Masvidal says Max Holloway will “smoke Conor McGregor like a brisket” when the two meet at UFC 329 on July 11, pointing to the contrasting lifestyles of the two fighters as the deciding factor.
McGregor returns from a five-year layoff at UFC 329 in Las Vegas during International Fight Week. Masvidal, speaking alongside Dustin Poirier on the Deep Waters podcast, was not interested in giving McGregor any chance.
“I think Max smokes him like a brisket.”
Masvidal elaborated on why he believes McGregor’s time away from discipline will cost him.
“I think Conor lives a certain lifestyle we’ve all seen. You can kind of tell it’s not for show, and it’s really his lifestyle. Max lives a completely different lifestyle. I’ve never seen Max at the club drunk. You never see him in the headlines for anything bad. That guy lives a different life where he is in the gym, family, gym family. I think that’s gonna pay the biggest dividends. You can be away from the sport for five years and come back like nothing happened if you live that life.”
McGregor last fought at UFC 264 in July 2021, suffering a broken leg in the first round against Poirier. Holloway is coming off a stretch in which he became a multiple-time featherweight champion and recently moved up to lightweight.
Jorge Masvidal watched Sean Strickland pull off his second stunning middleweight title upset and came away with a verdict that goes beyond the result of one fight.
Speaking with Full Send MMA after UFC 328, Masvidal placed Strickland among the all-time greats in the division and argued the case for his eventual Hall of Fame induction.
“Sean Strickland has to go down as a Hall of Famer, and is an all-time great. Let’s take a little step back. Even before he got the belt, he’s had some amazing performances throughout his career. He fought at 170, he was cutting a little too much weight. He came up, he really started showing out, finishing guys, setting himself up for success. Separating himself from the pack by his fight style. He has a good finishing rate, and he’s beaten a lot of up-and-coming guys, he beat a lot of established guys, and he beat a lot of guys he probably should have never beat.”
Strickland now holds wins over Khamzat Chimaev, Israel Adesanya, Nassourdine Imavov, Paulo Costa, Anthony Hernandez, and Brendan Allen across a middleweight career that has consistently delivered results most fans did not expect. His two title fight upsets over Adesanya and Chimaev stand among the most shocking in UFC history at any weight class.
Chael Sonnen is not backing down from his position on Jorge Masvidal’s UFC return prospects, and he has expanded the dispute well beyond the original argument about whether a fight will happen.
Speaking with Ariel Helwani, Sonnen doubled down after Masvidal’s public rebuttal and made his core claim plainly.
“Well, that’s a tough one. It’s very tough because I don’t take Jorge as like an equal. I don’t look at him as like an unequal. And he is claiming that he’s going to fight in the Octagon, and I don’t come to him to hurt his dreams. I’m coming just to let his life get on track. Don’t pause. Don’t cancel your plans on the weekend. You’re not fighting in the Octagon.”
Sonnen suggested Masvidal may have been given incorrect information by someone within the UFC rather than intentionally fabricating a story.
“I’m either right or I’m wrong. But for me to be right, he doesn’t have to actually go in there and fight. He just has to have been told by somebody in authority that he’s going to go in there and fight. And I think he should call that person back. There was a misunderstanding. Jorge Masvidal will never fight in the UFC. That’s not a knock to Jorge Masvidal. That’s a reality. I made that claim and that really struck a nerve. I don’t know why that made him so upset.”
On the question of fighting Masvidal himself, Sonnen drew a clear distinction between acceptance and pursuit.
“I would never turn down a fight with Jorge Masvidal, but I would never seek a fight with Jorge Masvidal. The guys that I come out on your show when I call these guys like Jon Jones, like Fedor Emelianenko. This is Jorge Masvidal. Like Jorge, I don’t really know what to do with this.”
He also proposed settling the size argument on the spot.
“Jorge is greatly out of shape. And Jorge made a claim that he would come up to heavyweight to face me. And I just, I thought that would be fun for your show. Like, hey Jorge, let’s both fly into Ariel’s show and let’s just do a weigh-in right now. I won’t have a lot of time to lose weight. You won’t have a little bit. Let’s just go right into Ariel’s show and let’s just get on a scale because there is no way that he is the smaller guy.”
Sonnen also questioned whether Masvidal actually controls Gamebred MMA in any operational sense, pressing Helwani repeatedly on whether Masvidal personally signs checks for fighters or holds a promoter’s license, ultimately concluding he does not believe Masvidal is the person paying the talent.
Jorge Masvidal likes Justin Gaethje as a person and as a fighter, but he does not like his chances against Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14.
Speaking during a YouTube appearance, Masvidal opened by establishing his genuine respect for Gaethje before turning to his honest assessment of the matchup.
“I’ll tell you the truth, man. I got to kick it with Gaethje for the FBI seminar. You know, we spent a lot of days together. I was with Gaethje, his dad. You know, I definitely like the dude, man. You know, though he said some things about me in the past and stuff, I like the dude. I like him as a person, as a fighter. Obviously, who doesn’t like this dude?”
The respect did not change his read on the fight itself.
“Stylistically, statistically, I think his chances are really slim with Ilia. Just a bad style for him. You know, Gaethje has won a lot of tough fights that he’s been getting cracked and then he manages to come back. With Ilia, not only does he have the power, but he ain’t no coming back.”
Masvidal zeroed in on Topuria’s defensive discipline as the quality that makes him particularly difficult for a fighter with Gaethje’s style.
“Not just that, he has very good defense. So, it’s not like he opens himself up for things. You know, Ilia is very, very disciplined. The way he throws his punches, the way he brings his head back, the way his head’s always moving off center line. Like, I don’t see many chances for Gaethje. I think this is just a very bad fight for Gaethje.”
He left the door open for a Gaethje upset while making clear he does not expect it.
“But if Gaethje wins this fight, holy smokes, right? Like, who the f**k saw that coming? You know, he pulls that sh*t off, that’s gonna be crazy. But I don’t see it, though. I don’t see it happening.”
The betting market at the time of the segment reflected a similar gap, with Topuria listed as a heavy -520 favorite and Gaethje at +350.
Jorge Masvidal wants eye pokes treated like financial crimes, and he has a specific penalty structure in mind that he believes would eliminate the problem almost overnight.
Speaking on Deep Waters, Masvidal drew on personal experience with two severe eye pokes during his career to make the case for immediate point deductions combined with purse penalties, describing a system similar to what is used in Japanese combat sports.
“Go Japan style. Hit him with the yellow card right away. Pay deductions and points,” Masvidal said. “I’ve been eye poked in a fight two different times and one of them actually stuck with me for, like, three weeks. Colby’s bitch ass f***ing dug his nails in my eye and that was, like, three weeks later I was still seeing spots and it was bad and my eye was swollen, I had to go to the doctor to get it checked. I had to get medication, antibiotics on my eyes, it sucked.”
Masvidal argued that the only meaningful deterrent for a professional fighter is financial.
“Immediate point deduction, yellow card. Take money from the purse, too. Take 20 percent.”
He was equally clear about where that money should go.
“To the other fighter. Not to no commission, not no damn commission. I’m done with these commissions getting exchange, all to the guy that got poked in the eye. Everybody’s robbing us, man.”
Deep Waters co-host Dustin Poirier agreed that degrees of severity matter and that particularly harmful infractions need to be addressed immediately rather than through repeated warnings. Masvidal acknowledged that five percent on the first offense might be a more realistic starting point, but maintained the principle is what matters.
“I’m telling you, ain’t nobody eye poking no more. That’s how it should be, don’t f***ing eye poke people.”
Jorge Masvidal still has a sharp eye for star power, and his list of the UFC’s five biggest names right now contains at least one pick that will generate debate.
Speaking on Deep Waters, Masvidal was asked to rank the fighters he considers the promotion’s biggest current stars. His answers reflected a mix of global appeal, television ratings pull, and cultural reach that goes beyond title belts.
“I got Ilia Topuria, No. 1,” Masvidal said. “Chama at No. 2 because that guy fights. Everybody knows, in Japan, in Korea, it doesn’t matter whether it’s Thailand or Japan. International, he is a star. He is an effing star, bro. Like, it’s crazy, man.”
Alex Pereira’s global following has grown dramatically since his UFC run began, making his number-two placement easy to understand. Masvidal’s third pick was equally straightforward.
“No. 3, I’ll go with Chimaev. I think Chimaev is a huge star worldwide.”
The fourth name is where Masvidal chose to surprise people, framing it as a deliberate curveball while predicting that Sean Strickland’s profile will only rise further after his UFC 328 middleweight title fight against Khamzat Chimaev.
“No. 4, I’m going to throw a curveball at y’all. But I think especially after his next fight, he’s going to be one of the biggest names, Sean Strickland, bro. And he’s got like that whole love and hate. He’s going to be up there.”
Masvidal rounded out the list with a nod to one of the sport’s most beloved international figures. “No. 5, I’m going to go with Charles Oliveira. He’s so famous worldwide. He’s got the whole Brazil on his back.”
Masvidal last competed in the UFC in 2023, suffering a decision loss to Gilbert Burns that extended his losing streak to four consecutive defeats following losses to Colby Covington and Kamaru Usman twice. He lost a boxing match to Nate Diaz in 2024 via controversial decision. Despite his extended competitive absence, Masvidal has repeatedly stated that he is in negotiations for a UFC return.
Jorge Masvidal has escalated his feud with Chael Sonnen by challenging him to a bare-knuckle MMA fight at his own promotion, delivering one of his more colorful responses in a career that has not been short of them.
The confrontation stems from Sonnen calling out Masvidal on his YouTube channel and branding him a liar for claiming to be in discussions with the UFC about a return. Masvidal addressed the comments on the Deathrow podcast and made clear he has not forgotten that Sonnen cornered Colby Covington during their rivalry, which he considers a line crossed.
“This motherf—er has nerve,” Masvidal said. “Every time he mentions my name his 17 fans tune in because he literally has no views, everyone has forgotten about this guy. I’m gonna beat the living f—ing breaks out of you, but not for free. I’ll pay you to come over to my promotion bare-knuckle MMA, I’ll go up to heavyweight, beat the lesbian out of you.”
Masvidal and Sonnen had a respectful relationship until Masvidal turned on him in 2022 after comments Sonnen made that Masvidal took as a betrayal. Sonnen’s decision to corner Covington, Masvidal’s most bitter rival, further damaged whatever remained of the dynamic.
Masvidal is still awaiting a confirmed UFC return. Dana White confirmed he is in discussions with Masvidal about a comeback, though no opponent has been finalized. Masvidal has stated he would immediately drop back to welterweight for a fight with Leon Edwards.
Gamebred Promotions, Masvidal’s bareknuckle MMA organization, holds its next event on May 1, headlined by Yoel Romero vs. Hector Lombard.
Jorge Masvidal has delivered a response to Chael Sonnen after the analyst accused him of fabricating claims about a potential UFC return, hitting back with a stream of personal attacks and a clarification of what he actually said.
Sonnen had taken aim at Masvidal on his YouTube channel, suggesting the former BMF titleholder was lying about being in discussions with the UFC to generate headlines.
“I have no problem with Masvidal lying, trying to get headlines. As a matter of fact, I support it. You don’t want to contradict your own lie; that’s where the problem comes. If you’re lying to get headlines, you’re not a liar, you’re a performer, and you’re entertaining,” Sonnen said.
Masvidal’s response was considerably less measured. He opened with a series of personal attacks before getting to the substance of his rebuttal.
“For starters, this motherfker has some nerve. You lesbian ass motherfer, and no disrespect to the lesbians, this motherfker needs to chill. Now that he’s a lesbian, he thinks I can’t slap him? I’ll still slap the fk out of you, Chael,” Masvidal said, also referencing Sonnen’s past performance-enhancing drug violations and his loss to Anderson Silva. “The only serious thing this guy did was fighting Anderson Silva, lost, got triangle tapped, and he was on seven different PEDs. Dude, you can never talk to me. I’ve never had a positive exam for steroids in my life, shut the f**k up, Chael, you’re talking to a real fighter.”
On the substance of the dispute, Masvidal denied ever claiming to be officially booked for the UFC White House event.
“I never said I’m ‘officially’ fighting at the White House, you f**king lying piece of sh*t. There was a lot of interest in that fight, at first, and there was a big chance I’d be on that card. They asked me for a few things, and then the date changed. Not contradicting anything, it’s called rolling with the punches. Now, the UFC has offered me something else,” Masvidal said.
Masvidal maintains he is in active discussions with the UFC about a return opportunity.
Jorge Masvidal has come to Charles Oliveira’s defense over his BMF title victory at UFC 326, even after admitting the performance cost him a significant amount of money.
Oliveira defeated Max Holloway via unanimous decision in their rematch at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, retaining the BMF title with a grappling-heavy approach that frustrated fans who expected a striking showcase. The performance sparked debate over whether a control-based wrestling strategy was appropriate for a belt built on explosive, memorable fighting.
Speaking on The Bohnfire podcast, Masvidal pushed back against that criticism from a position of unique authority as the inaugural BMF champion.
“I think it’s still very BMF,” Masvidal said. “Maybe people don’t like the style, but Charles was trying to end him the whole time. It wasn’t like he was a crotch sniffer, where he was getting to halfway situations and just holding on for dear life. He was getting to good positions, either elbowing him or going for submissions. That’s not in any way a bad performance.”
Masvidal also made the case that Oliveira’s motivation gave the performance a deeper meaning than the scorecards alone could capture.
“People say that BMFs are supposed to just stand and strike. I see that point. But on Charles Oliveira’s part, Max had made him quit some years ago. To come back, full circle, and beat the guy that made you quit. That’s a BMF.”
He then revealed the personal cost of his loyalty to Holloway in that fight.
“Props to Charles, and I dumped the house on Max. Man, I lost a lot of money there.”
The UFC prohibits active athletes from betting on the promotion’s events. Masvidal retired in 2023 but has been targeting a comeback in 2026 and still holds an active contract.
Jorge Masvidal has confirmed that he’s in active negotiations with the UFC for a return to the Octagon, with Leon Edwards at the top of his wish list.
Speaking on the Deep Waters panel show on UFC on Paramount+, the former BMF champion addressed Dana White’s public confirmation at UFC 327 that the two sides have been in talks.
After initially playing coy with an “I’m retired, man” deflection, Masvidal dropped the act once the panel played White’s comments back to him.
“We’re definitely talking. We’ve been talking for a minute. It’s just we haven’t landed on that thing,” Masvidal said.
Masvidal on UFC Negotiations
Masvidal was candid about the pace of negotiations, expressing loyalty to the promotion while acknowledging the reality of doing business with the UFC.
“You guys know better than anybody how the UFC is. I love them to death, but man, they make you work for every single thing. It’s always like it’s not quite what you wanted it to be a lot of times. So we’re working. We’re going to get something done, though,” he said.
While Masvidal said he’d prefer to fight at middleweight to avoid the weight cut, he made one thing clear: he’ll get back to 170 for the right name.
“If they give me the Leon fight, I’ll get to 170 by the mall. No kidding. Quick. I would like that fight. The fans would like that fight,” Masvidal said.
He then made his case by turning Edwards’ own previous reasoning against him.
Edwards had reportedly declined a fight with Masvidal in the past because of his losing streak. The former welterweight champion is now on a three-fight skid of his own, dropping decisions to Belal Muhammad and finishes to Sean Brady and Carlos Prates.
“He had said he wouldn’t fight me because I had like three or four losses in a row. I think he’s got like four losses in a row and like three by KO. So that’s the fight that makes sense,” Masvidal said, slightly overstating Edwards’ recent record but landing the broader point.
He also made it clear that a tune-up fight holds no interest. “With your name, you just don’t show up and fight anybody. You’re not out there fighting Francisco Prado,” he said.
The Timeline
Masvidal pointed to International Fight Week in July as his ideal return window, requesting four to five months of preparation time. “The more time they give me to prepare, the better, obviously. A good 4 to 5 months from here, it’ll be perfect,” he said.
Framing the matchup as an easy sell for the promotion, he closed with a simple pitch: “That’s low hanging fruit for the UFC. Just give me what I’m asking for and we’re good to go, man.”
The Covington Dig
In a lighter moment, the panel asked Masvidal about fighters he still has beef with. He said he gets along with virtually everyone he’s fought, but couldn’t resist one jab at his former American Top Team teammate.
“For the most part I get along with everybody. If I see him I share a meal with him, hang out, talk. But just one rat-ass mother… I shouldn’t even say his name because he’s already suing me. But Colby Covington is the only one I really never mess with like that,” Masvidal said.
The rivalry between Masvidal and Edwards dates back to March 2019, when Masvidal attacked Edwards backstage at UFC London, coining the now-famous “three-piece and a soda” phrase that became part of his BMF-era identity. On the panel, he leaned into that legacy: “He already got a two-piece and a soda. Now it’s time for dessert. Now I’m going to hit this [guy] with the whole buffet, brother.”
Legal tensions between Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal have resurfaced years after their heated fallout, with the latest chapter now unfolding in civil court.
As per recent reports, the former UFC interim welterweight champion filed a lawsuit in Miami-Dade County last month seeking damages exceeding $50,000 in connection with the incident. Court records also indicate that the total compensation sought could exceed $100,000.
The latest development stems from events that unfolded after their bout at UFC 272 in March 2022, where Covington secured a clear unanimous decision victory. In the aftermath of that fight, Masvidal made a public statement saying, “If I see him out in the streets, I’m going to give him everything I got to break his f**king jaw.”
Less than three weeks later, the situation escalated outside Papi Steak. According to the lawsuit, Covington was leaving the venue when the former BMF champion approached and struck him without warning, triggering a physical altercation.
The incident led to criminal proceedings, which concluded in November 2023 when “Gamebred” entered a guilty plea. He was sentenced to time already served and ordered to pay the associated legal costs, avoiding additional jail time despite the seriousness of the charges.
The aftermath of Jorge Masvidal attacking Colby Covington at Papi Steak in Miami about 10-11 hours ago. pic.twitter.com/0LgYdRjbP6
In the civil filing, “Chaos” claims he sustained physical injuries as a result of the attack and points to ongoing effects linked to the incident. The lawsuit also cites property damage, including a Rolex watch valued at around $15,000.
His legal team argues that the attack was deliberate and intended to cause damage and is seeking compensation for medical expenses, losses, and other applicable damages under the law.
Covington has requested a jury trial in this case. As of now, no court date has been scheduled, meaning the dispute between the former teammates from American Top Team continues to unfold through legal proceedings.
Former Interim UFC Welterweight Champion Colby Covington recently filed a lawsuit against fellow fighter Jorge Masvidal, seeking damages in excess of $50,000. It comes after an attack outside a restaurant in Miami Beach in 2022.
The lawsuit was filed in Miami-Dade County, Florida, on March 23. The legal action stems from an incident that occurred on March 21, 2022, just weeks after the two welterweights faced off at UFC 272 on March 5, 2022, where Covington defeated Masvidal by unanimous decision.
In documentation filed with the courts, Covington’s attorneys detailed how Masvidal threatened him during his post-fight interview, stating “if I see him out in the streets, I’m going to give him everything I got to break his f*cking jaw.”
Attack Outside Papi Steak Restaurant
On March 21, as Covington left Papi Steak restaurant in Miami Beach, Masvidal “ambushed” him and “initiated a physical attack without warning.”
The lawsuit further stated that “Gamebred” struck Covington “with a closed fist” to the face. The assault was “sudden, intentional, and calculated” and the 38-year-old fighter had no chance to protect himself.
Criminal charges were filed against Masvidal, and he later reached a plea deal with prosecutors where he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery. Former UFC “BMF” Champion was sentenced to time served, and he was held responsible for paying all fees associated to the case. However, he faced no additional jail time.
Masvidal’s Response and Legal Claims
Following his court hearing, Masvidal took to social media, where he fired back at Covington again over the incident.
“F*ck you, Colby,” Masvidal said. “It’s going to be a f*cking movie now. All these orders, all these restraining orders been lifted off. It’s going to be a f*cking movie.”
Covington’s attorneys claim that Masvidal’s attack was “unprovoked” and “deliberate, malicious and carried out with the intent to cause harm.”
As a result of the attack, “Chaos” claimed he “suffered bodily injury and resulting pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, physical impairment, mental anguish, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life, expense of hospitalization, medical and nursing care and treatment.”
Covington’s attorneys argue that the injuries “are either permanent or continuing” and the veteran Welterweight fighter “will suffer the losses in the future.” In the cover sheet to his lawsuit, Covington’s attorneys noted that he was actually seeking over $100,000 in total damages.
No court date has been announced yet after the lawsuit was filed in March.
Jorge Masvidal revealed Monday that Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA’s lightweight tournament is nearly fully assembled — and when it drops, it’s going to turn heads.
Speaking on Fighter vs. Writer on MMA Fighting, the Gamebred FC president confirmed the 16-man lightweight bracket is 12 fighters deep, with the final four signatures still in progress.
“We also have a lightweight tournament. We got about 12 guys. We’re missing four keynote people that we’re just working on getting their signatures. Once that one drops, I’ll come right back on here and let you know who these 16 lightweights are. So far confirmed, we got about seven UFC veterans, three PFL veterans, and four or five Bellator alumni.”
Best Fighters, Not Most Marketable
Masvidal explained the philosophy driving his fighter recruitment, distinguishing Gamebred FC from other promotions that prioritize name recognition over competitive quality. For him, the two are inseparable in the long run.
“I’m not trying to find the most marketable guy in the world — I know what business is doing, that’s what the other people on the team are doing. I’m trying to find the world’s best fighters, the biggest dogs, because I believe they will be the most marketable at the end of the day and the biggest engine for the company.”
Masvidal cited the old Pride FC and Dream tournaments as his model for why the format works, noting that the structure naturally produces compelling matchups with real stakes — no promoter thumb on the scale.
“Personally, some of the most exciting fights were those Pride tournaments. I participated in some of those as well. It’s pretty pure, right? There’s not too much matchmaking. We care about the wins but we also care about the performance.”
2026 Schedule and the $500K Prize
The heavyweight tournament — headlined by Anthony Smith vs. Chase Sherman in the opener — kicks off April 10 in the Dominican Republic. The full 2026 calendar runs through Miami events in May and December, with the heavyweight champion crowned on December 2.
Each tournament carries a $500,000 championship prize, a number Masvidal wants to grow significantly as the promotion scales. “I want that number to one day be like five million and get these fighters as much as I can, especially putting it all on the line with no gloves.”
Masvidal has built a reputation among fighters for paying talent and not cutting performers simply for losing, separating Gamebred FC from the standard UFC model. The lightweight tournament announcement, when it comes, figures to further cement the promotion as a legitimate destination for elite free agents.
Jorge Masvidal has made clear why securing a spot on the UFC’s historic White House event means everything to him, describing the opportunity as a once-in-a-lifetime validation of his journey from Miami’s backyards to the nation’s most prestigious address.
The June 14 card, set to coincide with President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday, represents far more than another fight for the 41-year-old former BMF champion. Masvidal recently told reporters that people constantly ask why he remains obsessed with getting on the card when other marquee events happen regularly.
Masvidal explained that while fans might see another UFC card at Madison Square Garden or Las Vegas annually, a UFC card at the White House will never happen again. For someone who grew up as the son of immigrants fighting in backyards with Kimbo Slice and other street fighters, the symbolism carries profound weight.
“People say, ‘Why are you so obsessed with this White House thing?’ Because this doesn’t happen again, man. You might see another UFC card at Madison Square Garden or Vegas every year, but a UFC card at the White House?
“That’s once-in-a-lifetime shit. I’m a kid from the streets of Miami, son of immigrants, who grew up fighting in backyards with Kimbo and those guys. You put that kid on the White House lawn with gloves on, representing his flag, his family, his people… that’s powerful.”
Why Jorge Masvidal Will Take Any Fight to Get on the White House Card
Masvidal‘s father fled Cuba as a teenager on a self-made raft constructed from tractor tires, spending five days at sea before reaching the Virgin Islands and eventually Miami. His Peruvian mother worked multiple jobs starting at 4 a.m., yet the family remained among the poorest on their block. That background fuels his drive to represent on the White House lawn.
“For me it’s like, man, I’m just some Latin dude from Miami that can fight really good,” Masvidal said in recent interviews. “I’m in the White House showcasing my skills, showing the world that, especially us Latin people, we ain’t just what they make us out to be.”
Masvidal started his combat career in chaotic backyard brawls. Those informal contests, promoted by the late Kimbo Slice, took place in parking lots and yards around Miami with no medical staff present.
Now Masvidal envisions himself fighting on the South Lawn with gloves on, representing his flag, family, and community. He sees it as sending a message to every young Latino that they can rise from nothing and perform in front of the president.
The fighter has confirmed he recently spoke with Trump about getting on the card. During a call when Masvidal was in New York for fights, he quickly pitched his case. Trump responded simply with “Got you, Mas,” though Masvidal says he hasn’t played that card fully yet, saving the favor for when timing matters most.
Masvidal told reporters his manager Ali Abdelaziz is actively negotiating with UFC President Dana White and executive Hunter Campbell. When asked about his chances of securing a spot against Conor McGregor, Masvidal said things are “not looking bad right now” with dialogue remaining open.
Masvidal emphasized he would fight anyone at any weight to make the card, though he doesn’t care about the opponent as much as the venue itself. Whether it’s McGregor or another fighter, his priority remains getting on the historic event.
Looking back, Masvidal describes the trajectory from backyard fighting to potentially competing at the White House as the most polar opposite journey imaginable. He attributes everything to faith, noting it happened not because he’s the smartest or fastest, but through divine intervention.
White has confirmed the June 14 date and promised what he called “the greatest fight card ever” for the UFC’s first event at the presidential residence. The promotion plans to invest $700,000 just to replace the South Lawn grass, with attendance capped around 4,000 people.
“For me it’s like, man, I’m just some Latin dude from Miami that can fight really good. I’m in the White House showcasing my skills, showing the world that, especially us Latin people, we ain’t just what they make us out to be. We’re a lot better than what they give us. Now I get to perform my skill set at this place which is responsible for this great nation.”
Perhaps we’ll be seeing Jorge Masvidal returning to action for at least one more matchup soon? Masvidal is teasing such in a new interview, and it has rumors swirling about what Masvidal could be referencing.
In an interview with MMAJunkie, Masvidal said that while he isn’t allowed to reveal much right now, he can confirm he has been training at American Top Team in Florida.
Masvidal says he is in the midst of preparing for “something big.”
“Some of it is like level-five only access, so I can’t really say too much,” Masvidal said. “I can say it’s some big news. I have some fight news coming soon, and it’s very big news.”
Jorge Masvidal Willing To Take Any Spot To Be On UFC White House Card
Plenty of speculation around this news points to the possibility that Masvidal could compete at the UFC White House card on June 14.
Masvidal is a longtime supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump, and Trump was present for UFC 272. That event saw Masvidal and former teammate-turned-rival Colby Covington, also a devout Trump supporter, facing off in the main event.
This also comes off the heels of a recent interview UFC CEO and President Dana White did with Complex, shooting down rumors of a Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler matchup for the event.
White, however, has also shot down the idea of a McGregor vs. Masvidal matchup in the past, worried about a noteworthy size disadvantage for McGregor.
While Masvidal could not provide more details about his ongoings, he did emphasize the honor it would be to compete at such a unique, once-in-a-lifetime kind of event like UFC White House.
“Really, just the honor of fighting at the White House card,” Masvidal said. “I’ve fought at the Playboy Mansion, I’ve fought in Russia, I fought in South Korea, South America – I’ve fought in many places. Madison Square Garden. There’s not too many things I didn’t get to do throughout my career, and a lot of unexpected turns as well…So, I would definitely like to do this because, in my opinion, in my book, I don’t think this gets done again.
“I get it if people don’t want to fight for the elitists or however they distribute the tickets, but I just want to fight at the White House. I’m a Latin m***********, from immigrant parents on both sides, putting my crafts and skills on display, at the highest level in the White House lawn. Who’s ever done that? Nobody. It should be a great honor for me and also to represent my Latin community.”
Masvidal’s UFC career ended on a four-fight losing skid, last fighting at UFC 283 in a loss to Gilbert Burns.
The inaugural BMF belt holder’s last taste of combat action came in July 2024, losing a boxing matchup to Nate Diaz.
Former UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal has called for a long-awaited showdown with Leon Edwards as part of the UFC White House card.
As we know, Jorge Masvidal has had a problem with Leon Edwards for many years now. It goes back to the infamous incident backstage at UFC London, during which ‘Gamebred’ attacked ‘Rocky’ following a back and forth exchange between the two. While they’ve come close to colliding in the cage in the past, it’s never quite come to fruition.
While both men are in a tricky spot in their respective careers, Leon Edwards was able to kick on and become UFC welterweight champion. Jorge Masvidal, meanwhile, is eyeing up a return to the UFC after a few years away.
In a recent chat with Henry Cejudo, Jorge Masvidal made it crystal clear that he is still interested in competing against the Englishman.
Jorge Masvidal wants to fight Leon Edwards at the White House 👀
"Leon I will beat the f*** out of you at the White House. Just like America kicked England's ass…
I'll go crazy on this motherf***er bro. I'll get in shape for you Leon don't worry." pic.twitter.com/WH0FvDqcXX
“If you’re watching this [Leon], I’ll f***ing beat the f*** out of you at the White House. Leon, I will beat the f***ing dogs*** out of you, just to say America, kicked f***ing England’s ass for trying to take over our s***.
“We had to send y’all back, I’m gonna send you back in the same way. On a ship back home. 4th July, America’s birthday, brother. Let them make the mistake and send you as a representative for England. I will crash that party, brother. I’ll go crazy on this motherf***er, bro. I’ll get in shape for you Leon, don’t worry about it brother”
During a recent interview with Submission Radio, “Gamebred” weighed in on a potential comeback, name-dropping Edwards as the ideal opponent. He emphasized that a victory over the former UFC welterweight champion could pave the way for his third and possibly final shot at gold.
“If the UFC wants to make this happen, give me the Leon fight, and then after that, I’ll fight whoever has that damn belt,” Jorge Masvidal said. “I know Dana [White] is probably going to see this.”
Masvidal doubled down on his confidence, claiming that he holds a clear skill advantage over “Rocky,” which he believes would be enough to hand Edwards a defeat.
“I know for one thing, he can’t wrestle me for five rounds. So, I don’t have to worry about the takedowns, and I know on the feet, he’s fragile compared to me. The opponents we’ve faced, what he’s been able to do to them, what I’ve been able to do to them for the most part, besides [Kamaru] Usman, I’ve been able to put a lot of guys away that he fought and went to decision with. The way he takes shots and the way I take shots, he’s just fragile compared to me, and if we get in that cage, I’m willing to prove how fragile he is compared to me.”
Masvidal and Edwards have a long-standing rivalry that traces back to March 2019, when the American ignited their feud by attacking “Rocky” backstage at UFC London. The two were set to settle their differences inside the Octagon at UFC 269 in December 2021, but the fight never came to fruition as Masvidal was forced to withdraw due to injury.
Jorge Masvidal was last seen in action in July 2024, where he squared off against former UFC rival Nate Diaz in a professional boxing match. Despite a hard-fought battle, “Gamebred” fell short, losing via a close majority decision.
Masvidal’s final run in the UFC before retiring was far from stellar, as he managed just three wins in his last nine trips to the Octagon. His rough stretch included two failed attempts at capturing the 170-pound title against Kamaru Usman.
Meanwhile, Edwards is arguably experiencing the toughest stretch of his career, suffering back-to-back defeats for the first time. After losing his welterweight title to Belal Muhammad at UFC 304, the Jamaican-born Brit looked to rebound at UFC London last weekend. However, his return went from bad to worse as Sean Brady outclassed him before securing a fourth-round submission.
Former welterweight star Jorge Masvidal featured as the UFC looked back on some memorable moments in London.
The mixed martial arts leader is back in England’s capital this week, with The O2 playing host to UFC Fight Night action on Saturday, March 22. Headlining will be former 170-pound champion Leon Edwards, who returns to compete in the city where he recorded a successful title defense back in 2023.
“Rocky” has had plenty more memorable moments in London, including a backstage altercation with Masvidal.
Of those two actions, Masvidal’s victory over “The Gorilla” made it onto the UFC’s recent video looking back on the five best moments from its past London cards.
The KO of Till was included alongside Arnold Allen’s rapid finish of Dan Hooker, Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev’s barnburner, Michael Bisping’s triumph over the legendary Anderson Silva, and Jan Blachowicz’s Fight of the Night battle with Jimi Manuwa.
A former MMA fighter who once competed under Jorge Masvidal’s promotion tragically lost his life after an alleged home invasion turned deadly.
According to a report from News4JAX, a 31-year-old man was shot and killed on Tuesday night in what authorities are calling an act of self-defense. The fatal incident occurred on SW Leslie Glen in Lake City, Florida, after the man allegedly attempted to break into the residence of his ex-wife.
The individual was later identified as professional mixed martial artist Langston Sykes. Reports indicate that Sykes forcibly entered the home, where he was met with gunfire. Authorities revealed that an adult inside the residence had an active protection order against him.
“Didn’t really know Lanko Sykes but we shared the mats together a few times. Sad to see this happen man, cause this could have been me last year. I just want to say this, to anybody who’s chasing a dream don’t lose it over something or somebody. IT IS NOT WORTH IT!! The UFC has shown me things I thought I’d never see, brought me to places I never been, introduced me to some of the best people I have ever met!! It is so much more out there to life for you to explore than what you see on the daily basis,” Tavares wrote.
Sykes last stepped into the cage at Island Fights 84 last August, where he secured a first-round knockout victory over Anson Swindle.
Sykes began his professional MMA journey at Jorge Masvidal’s iKON FC 4 in August 2022, but his debut was far from ideal, as he suffered a first-round knockout loss to Malcolm Wellmaker. He struggled to find consistency in the cage and held a 1-4 record.
Jorge Masvidal may be seemingly on the cusp of a UFC return but he is one of the fighters who has dipped his toes into several other pursuits away from being an athlete towards the end of his career. One of the most obvious ventures for a veteran of the fight game is to start putting on your own shows and “Gamebred” has certainly got the experience, knowledge and credibility to have success in this field.
The 52-fight veteran has attempted to carve out a niche for himself in combat sports via his Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA promotion which first launched in 2021. They hosted two events in 2024 with the most recent one taking place on November 15 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum.
Former UFC fighter Jesse Ronson, who competed six times inside the Octagon, fought on that card where he earned his second consecutive first-round submission win in the promotion. In a recent interview on Bare Knuckle Bowker, Ronson told Dylan Bowker about what it is like to fight for Masvidal.
The Canadian spoke about how “Gamebred” is looking for entertaining fights and if you can deliver on that, than you’re in his good books and it’s that simple.
“He [Masvidal] just flat out says it straight up. He’s like I just want fireworks guys. I’ll pay you, I’ll do whatever, just give me good fights. He’s like I don’t care how old you are, if you lose, or whatever it is. He’s like I’m not UFC where we’re going to cut you after two fights or three fights. If you’re making people scream and getting views.”
Ronson continued, adding that Masvidal’s first-hand experience is what separates him from the other promoters. He made it clear that he wasn’t trying to discredit others as much as he was praising the former BMF title challenger.
“You are always welcome back and he’s like I’ll take care of you. He’s like I’ll try to meet everything you need. He’s a great promoter and you’re right because he’s fought he understands what it’s like… Again I’m not gonna sh*t on Dana White or Scott Coker or whoever runs the PFL, because if they fought and they went through it they would know what it’s like.”
One of the more unexpected MMA beefs in recent times has taken place between Chael Sonnen and Jorge Masvidal after both men criticized and called each out during appearances on The MMA Hour. At one stage, “Gamebred” was defending Ariel Helwani who had a heated exchange with Sonnen live on air and unsurprisingly, “The Bad Guy” has continued to get the last word in.
There was even talk of them fighting although there was never anything set in stone even if they could have come face-to-face during a UFC event at one stage. In a recent post on X, Sonnen reignited the feud by coming up with a new idea.
At 47-years old, the former UFC title challenger doesn’t intend on making any kind of serious combat sports return though he did box Anderson Silva in an exhibition bout this past June. Masvidal, on the other hand, has recently stated that he will return to the UFC in April next year for a Miami event after initially retiring in 2023.
Sonnen suggested that rather than him stepping inside the Octagon with the former BMF champion, he would nominate a champion to be his tribute. That man who could welcome Masvidal back to the UFC would be none other than “The Welsh Gangster” Oban Elliott who has a great relationship with Sonnen.
I nominate @obanelliottufc to whip Jorge in my place. Miami you say?
Elliott has gone 3-0 inside the Octagon this year after earning his spot on the rankings via 2023’s season of the Contender Series. Wins at UFC 298, UFC 304 and UFC 309 have proved that the 26-year old doesn’t just walk the walk and talk the talk like his greatest inspiration, he can perform inside the Octagon as well.
Jorge Masvidal appears to have a date and location for his UFC return as he recently confirmed in an appearance on Jake Shields’ Fight Back podcast. “Gamebred” has been talking about stepping foot inside the Octagon once again for several months now but it now looks like plans are starting to be putting in place.
His last fight in the UFC to this point came at UFC 287 in Miami where after a loss to Gilbert Burns, he announced that he would be stepping away. This decision loss in April of 2023 marked his fourth outing in a row without a win, suffering defeats to Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington in the run that followed his three-fight win streak that turned him into a major star.
Masvidal then stepped into the boxing world where he lost a majority decision to Nate Diaz this past July having previously beaten him in the UFC to become the inaugural BMF titleholder at UFC 244. He told Shields that his return will take place in the same city two years on from his loss to Burns though he doesn’t have an opponent confirmed as of yet.
He has been very outspoken about wanting to settle the score with Leon Edwards which stems all the way back to their backstage altercation at the O2 Arena in London over five years ago. With “Rocky” recently stating on a DAZN broadcast over the weekend that he will be making his return to headline the London card on March 22, it doesn’t look like he will be a potential candidate to welcome Masvidal back.
“I will be back. April next year in the UFC. Yes sir. We don’t have the opponent yet. Hopefully, by December we get the opponent. In April, Miami card.”
Jorge Masvidal is gearing up for a return to competition and has his sights set on two marquee opponents: Conor McGregor or Leon Edwards. The former UFC title challenger retired from MMA in April 2023 but appears eager to make a high-profile comeback.
Masvidal, currently on a four-fight losing streak, saw his skid begin in July 2020 when he lost a decision to Kamaru Usman for the welterweight title at UFC 251. Their rematch at UFC 261 in April 2021 ended with Usman delivering a devastating knockout to retain his belt.
The Miami native then dropped a decision to Colby Covington at UFC 272 in March 2022 and again to Gilbert Burns at UFC 287 in April 2023. Following his MMA retirement, Masvidal ventured into boxing, where he lost a decision to Nate Diaz in July 2023.
Speaking with MMA Junkie in Spanish, Masvidal explained why both McGregor and Edwards make sense as opponents, citing their winnability and storyline appeal.
“I’d like for it to be Conor [McGregor] because I heard he also wants to fight on that same date,” Masvidal said. “He’s never mentioned my name because he knows I’ll rip his head off. However, if him and the UFC make that mistake, I’ll take his head off in Miami in April. But I don’t know if he wants it. He knows I’ll break him and make him look bad. I won’t take him down. I’ll strike with him and take him out of this orbit. He’s never mentioned my name, and it’s for a reason.”
Masvidal also addressed the possibility of facing Leon Edwards, the current UFC Welterweight Champion, with whom he shares a heated history stemming from their infamous backstage altercation in 2019.
“They’re saying [McGregor] might want to do it, but I’m chilling. If he wants to do it, great, I’ll kill him. If not, Leon Edwards. He and I have history, and it’s time to settle it. He’s not booked, and neither am I. Let’s go, sign the contract, and I’ll break your face.”
Masvidal hinted at a possible April 2024 return, which could align with UFC’s plans for a major event in Miami.
Jorge Masvidal is preparing for a comeback to the sport that made him a household name. The former title contender, who retired from MMA in April 2023, is currently on a four-fight losing streak in the UFC. His skid began in July 2020 when he lost a decision to Kamaru Usman for the welterweight title at UFC 251. In their rematch at UFC 261 in April 2021, Usman knocked out Masvidal to retain the belt.
Masvidal then suffered decision losses to Colby Covington at UFC 272 in March 2022 and to Gilbert Burns at UFC 287 in April 2023. Most recently, Masvidal stepped into the boxing ring, where he lost via decision to Nate Diaz in July 2023.
Expectations for the Comeback
In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, American Top Team coach Mike Brown shared his thoughts on Masvidal’s return to the gym.
“I was actually surprised when Jorge came back to the gym by how good of shape he was in,” Brown told MMA Junkie. “He was actually in really good shape and had clearly been training, especially his wrestling. He was jumping right in and wrestling with the best guys. He didn’t get out of shape. He’s focused, and he’s ready. He has that itch and wants to do it again. He’s obviously a big star, and there are a lot of matchups I’m sure people want to see. There’s a lot of fights I’d like to see.”
Jorge Masvidal recently lauded a Bellator champion, declaring that he envisions this fighter as a future titleholder in the UFC.
The individual in question is none other than Masvidal’s teammate at American Top Team (ATT), reigning Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen.
Eblen launched his professional MMA career under the Shamrock FC banner in July 2017, quickly rising through the ranks. After just four fights, he caught the attention of Bellator MMA, making his promotional debut in March 2019, securing a commanding decision victory over Chauncey Foxworth.
“Gamebred” sees immense potential in Eblen and confidently predicts that he is destined for an even greater future in the sport…
Masvidal Claims Eblen Shines Brighter Than Other Training Partners At ATT
During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Masvidal was asked about the fighter who has challenged him the most during training sessions at ATT, as he charts his own MMA comeback. The former BMF titleholder acknowledged that while all his training partners are high-level competitors, Eblen stands out as someone who appears to be in a league of his own.
“Gamebred” expressed his belief that Eblen could eventually make his way to the UFC and has the potential to become a champion in the world’s premier MMA promotion.
“Everybody I shake hands with and train with, they’re all pushing me; they’re all freaking pushing me, man. But I got in some good quality rounds with Johnny,” Masvidal said. “Johnny’s getting ready to scrap, and f**k, he’s like on another level right now; he’s hitting the gas pedal very hard. He’s a real nightmare right now at the gym for everybody he’s going with. I’m never gonna name anyone, but there are a lot of guys Johnny’s going in there with, man, and he’s putting in good work. I think this guy’s going to be a future UFC champion.”
