Jorge Masvidal is plotting a UFC return

Jorge Masvidal announced his retirement from mixed martial arts following his UFC 287 loss to Gilbert Burns in April 2023.  He made the announcement during his post-fight interview.  Far removed from the loss to Burns, Masvidal wants to return to the octagon.  

Masvidal fought for the UFC welterweight title twice and won the inaugural “BMF” bout against Nate Diaz.  In July, Masvidal rematched Diaz inside the boxing ring and was defeated via majority decision.  The boxing was fun but “Gamebred” missed MMA.    

“I had a blast doing the boxing.  It was fun.  It was everything, but there’s nothing in the world that compares to MMA,” Masvidal told Grind City Media.  “Ain’t sh*t in the world that’s like MMA.  I just finished up training at American Top Team right now.  It’s just the funnest thing I’ve done in my life.  There were a lot of nights I went to sleep just missing it.”  

“I f**king love it, man.  I’m 100-percent back to MMA,” Masvidal continued.  “I don’t know when I’m fighting, but I’m fighting either at the end of this year or next year.”  

When Masvidal retired, he was coming off four losses in a row.  But those losses were to fighters at the top of the division: Kamaru Usman (x2), Colby Covington, and Burns.

“Another title run is never out of the question.”  

When he does make the walk to the octagon again, Masvidal hopes to secure some big fights and see where it leads.  He believes another title run is always a possibility.  

“When I get the biggest fights that I can possibly get, knock that motherf**ker dead, they’re going to be begging me to fight for a title,” Masvidal said.  “A title run is never, never, ever out of the question especially for somebody as skilled as me.”  

“I really want to get just in there, get some good fights, get that MMA timing because it’s way different than boxing, and see where we end up at.  See what they offer me next after I knock somebody dead,” Masvidal continued.