Jorge Masvidal had a 2019 to remember. “Gamebred” became the year’s breakout star thanks to stunning knockouts of Darren Till and Ben Askren, plus his “BMF” title victory over Nate Diaz. And don’t forget the “three-piece and a soda,” too.
How does Masvidal follow a year like that? His first fight of 2020 should be a big occasion, but should he push for a welterweight title fight against champion Kamaru Usman, or go for the guaranteed money a Conor McGregor fight would bring? That’s the dilemma MMA Junkie’s Farah Hannoun, Simon Head and Nolan King attempt to answer in the latest edition of Triple Take.
Farah Hannoun: Time to upgrade the “BMF” belt for the real thing
Jorge Masvidal has become one of the biggest stars in the UFC, but he’s also a top welterweight contender.
While the sky’s the limit in terms of big money fights for “BMF” champion Masvidal, he’s also in a unique spot in his UFC career. He should be next in line for a title shot, and considering how long he’s been in the game, a title shot is long over due.
His only title opportunity for a major organization came in 2011 when he challenged for the Strikeforce lightweight title, but fell short to Gilbert Melendez.
Almost a decade later, Masvidal has positioned himself once again for a shot at gold, and has even had his fair share of back and forth with 170-pound champ Kamaru Usman to help garner interest from the fans. A fight with Usman surely won’t generate as much money as a fight with the likes of Conor McGregor, but Masvidal deserves an opportunity to add a UFC belt to his legacy.
If he takes other fights, he may risk losing that opportunity with a loss. At this point in his career, it may not come again.
His confidence is at an all-time high, having notched three stoppage wins in 2019, including a record-breaking flying knee knockout for the ages. One of the best boxers in the UFC, Masvidal would definitely pose an interesting stylistic matchup for Usman. He also has an underrated ground game, which would be important since he’d likely have to fend off numerous takedown attempts from Usman.
If he wins a UFC title, his star will only shine brighter with the ability to cash in even bigger checks. It’s time “Gamebred” goes for gold.
Next page – Simon Head: It simply has to be McGregor
Simon Head: It simply has to be McGregor
The phrases “Strike while the iron is hot” and “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth” sum things up pretty well for Masvidal. Sitting within touching distance of “Gamebred” is the biggest payday of his career, and he’d be crazy not to shoot his shot and go for it.
The thinking is pretty simple. Masvidal is a prizefighter, and if you’re a prizefighter, the aim of the game has to be to fight for the biggest prizes possible every time you compete. And when it comes to his prize purse, he won’t get anything bigger than he receives for fighting Conor McGregor.
Unlike some “money fights,” Masvidal vs. McGregor is also a realistic possibility. With McGregor’s quest for the UFC lightweight title hitting a brick wall called Khabib Nurmagomedov, the Irishman is wisely keeping his options open by openly mentioning his interest in fights with Masvidal and UFC welterweight champ Kamaru Usman. And while beating Usman would see Masvidal reach the top of the sport, the Miami native admitted the UFC title will always be there. A fight with McGregor, however, will not. And that’s why McGregor has to be his first-choice target as he heads into 2020.
There aren’t many fighters with the charisma, the form and the fighting style to dovetail with McGregor as an ideal dance partner, but Masvidal has the full package. He headlined Madison Square Garden and won, he has a stellar year of fights on his recent form sheet, and his ability to get people interested in a fight should make a potential clash with McGregor as fascinating in the lead-up to the fight as the action inside the cage on fight night.
It would be the biggest payday, the biggest-name opponent and the most-watched fight he ever competes in. And it’s a fight that he would, on paper at least, hold a number of key advantages. It’s a slam-dunk pick for his next fight, and one that would bring the MMA world to a standstill if it came to fruition.
Next page – Nolan King: A sensible money fight doesn’t come around every day
Nolan King: A sensible money fight doesn’t come around every day
It’s not every day we come across a money fight that makes sense for all parties involved. Should Conor McGregor defeat Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 (which is in no way a given outcome), a pairing with Jorge Masvidal makes all the sense in the world.
The two hottest stars in the sport at the moment are McGregor and Masvidal. Both are in unique positions. Each seemingly has an endless amount of options for mega-fights. They’re anomalies.
The No. 1 reason a money fight makes sense is that it won’t hold up an entire weight class (or two). Both men are 170-pounders right now. No one has to move up or down. It’s not a champion vs. champion fight that’s going to clog up two entire divisions’ progress, like we’ve seen superfights do in the past.
Plus, both men seem interested in the matchup. Masvidal has been a bit more outspoken about wanting the fight. McGregor has said he’s willing to take on Masvidal, but has his sights set on title gold. Money makes the world go around, and this is probably the biggest cash cow the UFC could promote right now. So it’s probably safe to assume the members of the UFC’s brass are on board, right?
As for Usman, a money fight would probably do him favors in the long term. He can either take a fight against the Leon Edwards vs. Tyron Woodley winner, or he can hold out and take on the victor of the money fight.
McGregor vs. Masvidal is a win-win-win. Book it.
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