Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal is ‘pretty close’ to being finalized, according to a report from ESPN.
It looks like the UFC is on track to book a rematch between welterweight standouts Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal despite some confusion over the bout on social media earlier this week.
That’s what I thought. Full camp he says nope! Got cold feet when you heard we said yes #freebritney https://t.co/zVDPlFFHrM
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) February 20, 2021
“That’s what I thought. Full camp he says nope! Got cold feet when you heard we said yes #freebritney,” Masvidal tweeted in response to Usman, seemingly hinting that the bout had been scrapped.
Not to worry, though, as ESPN’s Ariel Helwani reports that the championship matchup is ‘pretty close’ to being finalized.
Don’t close the book on an Usman-Masvidal rematch just yet
(via @arielhelwani) pic.twitter.com/ay3T0kyeD1
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) February 22, 2021
“This fight’s not dead,” Helwani told Daniel Cormier on Monday. “Honestly, I’d be shocked if this fight doesn’t happen… They’re pretty close from what I’m told.”
There have been calls for a rematch ever since Masvidal lost to Usman on a weeks’ notice at UFC 251, with fans wanting to see ‘Gamebred’ take on ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ with a full training camp behind his belt.
Masvidal hasn’t fought since that fight in 2020 while Usman recently added another title win to his resume with a stunning third-round TKO of Gilbert Burns at UFC 258.
Expect an official announcement from the UFC in the coming days.