NEW YORK – Jorge Masvidal isn’t in it to make anybody famous. He just wants the biggest fights.
Speaking to MMA Junkie and other reporters at the UFC 244 media day, Masvidal (34-13 MMA, 11-6 UFC), who takes on Nate Diaz this Saturday for the “BMF” title, said of course he’d fight former UFC dual champion Conor McGregor, whom he praised for his accomplishments.
“Conor’s done amazing things in this sport, and I always give – not always – but I try to give credit where credit is due,” Masvidal said. “He’s got two belts, he’s got the fastest knockout with the title, he’s done a lot of great things, you know. But as of late, he hasn’t competed in a while. I’m just hearing things; I’m not seeing. If he comes back and fights, fights whoever he fights and wins, and wants to fight me, of course I’m going to fight that guy over everybody just like I’m going to fight Nate, because Nate’s a huge dog.”
Following his five-second knockout of Ben Askren at UFC 239, Masvidal first issued a callout to McGregor. McGregor (21-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC), who recently announced his return to action on the Jan. 18 card in Las Vegas, expressed interest in facing the winner of Masvidal vs. Diaz, en route to his desired rematch with lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov.
So it appears both McGregor and Masvidal are willing to fight each other, and Masvidal is well aware of how big of a money fight that would be, despite still being tentative on whether McGregor will actually return.
“Conor’s the same. He’s a fighter,” Masvidal said. “He might not be the toughest guy, but he’s a hell of a fighter, and he brings in millions of dollars, so of course I’m going to fight that guy over all these other bums. It’s a no-brainer, man. But is he fighting? I don’t know.”
UFC 244 takes place Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2 and ESPN2/ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass.
