Sorry ‘Rocky,’ But UFC Wants Masvidal Vs Askren

Jorge Masvidal got into a backstage slap fight with fellow Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) welterweight contender, Leon Edwards, at the conclusion of the UFC London event earlier this month on ESPN+ (watch the video here).

With Kamaru Usman defending his 170-pound title against Colby Covington later this year, the welterweight assembly line will have to keep moving. And what better way to capitalize on the existing Masvidal-Edwards beef soda than with a mid-summer showdown.

Perhaps even on the undercard of Usman vs. Covington.

Or not.

“Masvidal’s ranked No. 5 right now, Edwards is No. 10,” promotion president, Dana White, told the gang at UFC Unfiltered. “So we are working on something for Masvidal and Edwards, but not each other. We’re actually talking about Ben Askren vs. Masvidal right now.”

I guess that Askren vs. Robbie Lawler rematch isn’t the lock White thought it was.

I find it hilarious that White is now booking fights based on the promotion’s “official rankings,” especially considering the unranked Anthony Pettis just fought the No. 4-ranked Stephen Thompson — on the same card the No. 4-ranked Curtis Blaydes battled the No. 10-ranked Justin Willis.

That said, Edwards — winner of seven straight — still has some pretty solid options.

I was hoping for that Robbie Lawler vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio death match, but either of those fighters would be a great pairing for “Rocky,” as well. And we also have the aforementioned Pettis floating around, or even the rebounding “Wonderboy,” who will certainly drop in the rankings after getting Showtime’d.

Anyone out there in MMA land have a better idea?