MMA fighter Jorge Masvidal has had a turbulent 2022 so far, with the fighter currently facing some legal hurdles after an alleged altercation with Colby Covington.
He is eager to get back into the ring though, remaining cautiously optimistic that it will happen soon.
He said: "Once some of these legal issues I’ve got going on [are settled], I’m setting a date. That’s another reason why we’re not setting dates right now, because I’ve just got to figure out some things and then we’ll lock it in."
The UFC fighter has even taken up an offer to get into the ring again with Gilbert Burns, though no dates have been officially set.
However, taking to Twitter, Burns said: "Just letting everyone know that UFC offered me [Masvidal] three times.
"First time was for Nov 12. He said he needs more time. Second time for Dec 10 he said he was going to [Brazil] to fight me and now he just said no again! So I guess the ‘B’ from his ‘BMF’ belt doesn’t stand for bad."
Over the course of the year, fans have seen Masvidal and Covington's friendship splintered after their match back in March.
Covington unanimously won, which allegedly led Jorge confronting him in a Miami bar soon after. It has thrown Jorge’s future career into doubt, but if it were up to him he would be back in the ring tomorrow.
Who is Jorge Masvidal?
Born and raised in Miami on November 12 1984, Jorge is the son of a Cuban fighter and a Peruvian mother.
Jorge is an American mixed martial artist that has been fighting professionally since 2003.
Known as Gamebred, he holds the world record for the fastest knockout in UFC history at just five seconds into the fight with Ben Askren at UFC 239 in 2019.
He always wanted to be a fighter, partly due to his father, and tried to become a high-school wrestler, though was denied because of his declining grades.
The 38-year-old has had a few run ins with the law throughout his life, and just this year one alleged assault has put his career on hold for now.
When is Jorge Masvidal's next fight?
Jorge is still awaiting word on when he will be able to step foot in the ring again, though he is more than ready to get started.
Speaking to ESPN Deportes back in May, he explained: “This year, I’ll guaranteed return. I don’t know the date yet. I think that with two fights, I can be in contention for the title or in a title contender fight.
“There are options, but the first thing that matters is me — to be in the best condition of my life, to improve the fight.
“Everyone knows that I can throw the hands, the kicks, the knees. People know that they can’t beat me with their hands, that they have to throw me into the fight.
“It’s something that I have to improve and find the formula for.”
However, it's looking unlikely Masvidal will be able to schedule in a fight for 2022 like he wanted. He will have to wait until December 5 fror his trial to continue after being pushed back for nearly three months.
In June, Masvidal admitted he is game for a fight against one-time title challenger Gilbert Burns.
However, he will only do it on one condition.
Speaking on The Fighter vs. The Writer, Jorge said: “I don’t want Gilbert to sign no contract that says no takedowns.
“Do your game, my brother. Do what’s gotten you here.
“I know he’s a world champion in [Brazilian jiu-jitsu]. I’m trying to work on my grappling, always trying to get better.
"So, do everything that God has allowed you to do and blessed you to do.”
However, Burns claimed to MMA Underground that Masvidal has turned down the opportunity to fight him three times – at UFC 281, UFC 281 and UFC 283.
He added: "It's frustrating, especially [given] who he is, the BMF champion- don't want to take the fight. Just be honest about it if you don't want to fight right now. Don't keep saying my name and dragging me around."
Is Jorge Masvidal married?
Jorge was married to Maritza Collado, though the pair have since become estranged from each other.
His ex-wife was dragged into Jorge’s beef with Colby, when he shared a picture of himself with her on Instagram, adding the caption: “Don’t worry, @gamebredfighter. I got you.”
It was alleged she let Colby live on her couch, though Jorge claims is was him that did so years ago.
Little is known about Maritza, as she has since removed all trace of herself on social media.
There is no coverage of Jorge and Maritza’s alleged divorce, though it appears they have now split up.
However, Colby claims that the pair are still married to this day.
What is Jorge Masvidal's net worth?
Jorge has an estimates net worth of $6 million (£5.16 million), according to celebritynetowrth.com.
The bulk of his fortune comes from his UFC career, with him taking home hundreds of thousands in his fight against Colby Covington earlier this year.
The total pay outs, including guaranteed purse and sponsorship bonus, came to $600,000 (£516,490) for the fighter, while Colby took home $350,000 (£301.29).
Why did Jorge Masvidal go to jail?
Jorge grew up around prison, as he spent most of his youth visiting his father who was behind bars.
After entering the country at the age of 14, Jorge’s father was arrested several times, including for manslaughter.
In an interview with Vice, Jorge said: “He did about five years in California for manslaughter, and then over here in Florida, he did about 18 years in prison for drug trafficking.
“So, he led like a completely different lifestyle than me or than most people.”
In Jorge’s youth, he allegedly spent some time in jail, though has always been reluctant to discuss it.
In an interview with Ariel Helwani in 2019, he was pushed on the topic and even though he initially rejected the offer to open up about it, he finally let something slip.
When asked why he went to jail, Jorge said: “Just being a dumb kid, you know a lot of things growing up that weren’t the best decision.
“Some of them you know I don’t regret it because it was like in fear for my life you know?
“I did certain things you know, whatever, it’s part of my journey – my history you know.
“I’m not encouraging nobody to do illegal activities, not based on my history, but it’s what I had to go through to get here.”
Jorge’s run ins with the law have continued into his adulthood, which is the main reason for him not being able to fight in recent months.
He is currently waiting for the next phase in his case involving an alleged assault on Colby last March.
Following the pair’s grudge match at UFC 272, which Colby ultimately won, Jorge allegedly assaulted his former friend outside of a Miami Beach steakhouse on March 21.
UFC president Dana White has assured fans that the charges will not stop Jorge fighting in the long run.
At the UFC Austin post-fight press conference, Dana said: “I literally have no idea what’s going on with that (case), but we’ve had guys have legal situations and still fight.
“I don’t think that’ll stop him from fighting.”
