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Jorge Masvidal made his mixed martial arts (MMA) debut back in May 2003, roughly one year before fellow Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) welterweight “gangster,” Nate Diaz, first stepped foot inside the cage.
Fast forward to 2019 and both combatants are ranked in the Top 10 at 170 pounds. Masvidal jumped to No. 3 after landing the flying knee of doom against Ben Askren, while Diaz debuted at No. 7 by knocking around Anthony Pettis.
What’s the secret to their longevity?
“Like Nate, I’ve never used steroids,” Masvidal told MMA Junkie. “I don’t think that dude has either. I don’t live with him, so I don’t know. But his body hasn’t really changed. He gets in better shape. Some fights, maybe he didn’t take it as seriously and wasn’t in crazy shape. But I don’t think he’s ever done steroids. I’ve never done steroids. That might be a big thing toward the longevity.”
The promotion was having such a hard time managing its performance-enhancing drug (PED) problem that it shelled out millions of dollars to be governed by United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), which has claimed everyone from Anderson Silva to Jon Jones.
“I must be doing something right,” Masvidal continued. “Or I must have not cheated back in the day, like a lot of motherfuckers did when all of you media motherfuckers were covering them, knowing these motherfuckers were on juice. Not worried about the natural killers, man. The real killers, man. Because when these curtains close, some wild shit on this side, bro.”
When the curtain closes next for Masvidal remains to be seen. While UFC fans are buzzing about a potential Nate Diaz fight, promotion president, Dana White, appears to have other plans, which may be music to this contender’s ears.