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Surging UFC superstar Jorge Masvidal may not end up getting the welterweight title shot he was expecting, but that doesn’t mean “Gamebred” won’t land something even better.
Masvidal, who is riding a three-fight win streak after one of the best 2019 campaigns you will ever see, was believed to be the front runner to land the next title shot against current UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. The two were even rumored to clash at UFC 249 last month, but Masvidal’s financial demands simply weren’t met.
While the proposed title fight could still happen at some point this year, it now seems as if the promotion is discussing another opportunity for Masvidal. On Friday, UFC president Dana White revealed that he is working on something “interesting” for the welterweight veteran, but that it wasn’t a clash with Usman.
“We’re talking about a few different things,” White told ESPN. “We have something else interesting for Masvidal, too, that we were just talking about (Thursday). We’ll see.”
Of course, the first “interesting” thing that comes to mind would be a clash with UFC superstar Conor McGregor. It remains the biggest matchup for Masvidal since he defeated Nate Diaz to claim the “BMF” title back at UFC 244. And after McGregor made a triumphant return to the Octagon at UFC 246 in a welterweight clash with Donald Cerrone the promotion can’t possibly still believe that Masvidal is too big for “Notorious.”
You also have to consider that McGregor may no longer have the opportunity to fight lightweight contender Justin Gaethje this summer as previously speculated. That’s because Gaethje will fight Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 next weekend for the interim lightweight title as current champion Khabib Nurmagomedov plots his return this fall.
That said, UFC could also be looking to finally book a grudge match between Masvidal and streaking welterweight contender Leon Edwards. The two fighters first clashed over one year ago when Masvidal pieced up Edwards backstage at UFC London (see it HERE), which is where “Gamebred” finished Darren Till with one punch. Seeing as Edwards has now won his last eight Octagon appearances the 170-pound matchup makes a whole lot of sense.
“We’ll see how this whole thing plays out – locations and how fast,” White said. “To start speculating down the road right now is too soon. Let’s get by these three fights in Florida and we’ll figure out what’s next. We’re talking about different possibilities with those guys.”
What say you, Maniacs? If not Usman, who should Masvidal fight next?
Let’s hear it!