Jorge Masvidal said Tuesday that he wants an immediate rematch with UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, even if that would mean spending a potential fight with Conor McGregor, which Dana White said could be the biggest fight in UFC history.
Usman won a unanimous decision over Masvidal early Sunday morning on “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
“I want that damn belt and I’m stubborn,” Masvidal told ESPN’s Ariel Helwani. “And I know I’m better than Usman, and I want to prove it. I want to fight again.”
“I’m not taking anything from him; he won the first one. Let’s do it again.”
Masvidal was respectful in making sure Usman received proper credit, despite Masvidal taking the fight on short notice. Masvidal and the UFC agreed on a new contract on July 4, exactly a week before UFC 251, and the lack of a proper fighting camp seemed to play a role in Masvidal’s conditioning, as he seemed gassed after he became a solid first round. But Usman is 12-0 in the UFC and one of the best fighters on the planet, so even a full camp for Masvidal might not have changed the outcome.
Still, Masvidal wants the chance to find out, and said that as long as Usman is the opponent, he would like to fight again this year.
Masvidal was originally the target of UFC 251, but negotiations with the UFC fell apart and Gilbert Burns was named the new challenger on June 9. But Burns tested positive for COVID-19 on July 3, sparking a new round of negotiations between Masvidal and the UFC.
“You can tell me that McGregor right now would earn X, Y, Z dollars, the highest pay per view you get in history, correct, and they will pay me forever,” Masvidal said. “I feel like I’m being compensated enough now that if I keep making the right decisions that I’ve been making, this money is money forever. So it’s not about money.”
Masvidal’s improbable story included a watershed year in 2019, when he scored three knockouts to become a star in his sixteenth year in MMA. He wanted to build on the momentum with his bigger money fight, but now his priorities have apparently changed.
“We will talk to [the UFC]”Masvidal said.” I am sure Usman would be on board because this is the most money he has ever earned.
“So if he wants to win that big boy money again, he has to get it back, come on, come on. So in business that makes sense. I don’t know what his management is thinking or what he’s thinking, but obviously that’s what I want. do.”
Usman manager Ali Abdelaziz, who also represents Burns, has insisted that Burns deserves the next title shot. Leon Edwards, who won eight in a row, also wants his chance.
“I am not going to judge anyone,” Masvidal said. “Gilbert is good? Yes. Leon is good? Yes. These guys are good, but I’m going to vote for myself. I want to fight Usman later.”
Immediately after UFC 251, while they were still in the Octagon, Masvidal and Usman shared a few words of respect. Masvidal seemed to say he would return after a victory or two. But apparently, that timeline has changed.
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