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Things didn’t quite go as planned for “The Baddest Motherf**ker” belt holder at UFC 251 last night (Sat., July 11, 2020). Jorge Masvidal came into “Fight Island” with just six days notice to take on a fully trained Kamaru Usman, and the results were as you’d expect in such a situation: Jorge got tired, Kamaru did not, and the difference between a UFC champion and BMF were made quite obvious to all who watched.
Included in those who watched was one Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who was the man who wrapped the BMF belt around Masvidal’s waist in New York back in Nov. 2019. Here’s his thoughts on the fight and how it all went down.
“I raised more than a few Teremana toasts to these men last night,” The Rock wrote. “Thank you both for going the distance and digging deep. My brotha Jorge ‘Gamebred’ Masvidal this loss will only make you hungrier and better — and one day we’ll hear those words, ‘And New.’”
“Kamaru Usman is the undisputed king and champion, who I have so much respect for,” he continued. “Building an iconic legacy. Congrats to the UFC, the fighters & their teams, production crews etc on such a successful and safe, Abu Dhabi event. Here’s to many more.”
While The Rock is ever the statesman when he steps in to comment on UFC fights, there’s no doubt in our mind that he was rooting for Masvidal to win.
“Jorge and I have ties going back to Miami,” Johnson said in an interview with Megan Olivi (via BJPenn.com). “I’ve been in Miami, South Florida, since I was 18 years old. Played for the University of Miami. So the legend of Jorge Masvidal is very real down in Miami. Starting in the streets and street fighting, but then also continue to hone his skills.”
Masvidal is already itching to hone his skills even more following his disappointing defeat in Abu Dhabi. And if nothing else, he made it clear that even world-class wrestlers can’t put him on his back at will. With a proper camp and improved gas tank, who knows what may happen if he works his way back to another title shot? I certainly wouldn’t place a $200,000 bet on the outcome, though, that’s for sure.