Jorge Masvidal (35-17 MMA, 12-10 UFC) last fought under the UFC promotional banner almost three years ago for a fight inside Kaseya Center in Miami against Gilbert Burns (22-9 MMA, 15-9 UFC) during UFC 287’s co-main attraction. The contest resulted in Masvidal coming out on the losing end of a unanimous decision after 15 minutes of action.
In the aftermath of the bout, he was interviewed by UFC analyst and stand-up comedian Joe Rogan, where he announced his retirement from active competition in MMA.
“I love everybody here, thank you, everybody for watching,” Jorge Masvidal began. “This is where I started my career. It’s been a long 20 years, 50-some fights, you know, sometimes your favorite basketball player ain’t got that 3-pointer no more, your favorite quarterback loses that rifle. I don’t feel the same when I get in here no more. It’s been 20 long years. I love all of you.”
Jorge Masvidal Takes to Podcast to Suggest Potential Comeback
In the last few weeks, the MMA world has been abuzz with talk of the May 16 card from Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions. The event from Intuit Dome in Inglewood, CA is headlined by Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano in a five-round bout at women’s featherweight.
Jorge Masvidal was one of the names that MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian had hoped to have on the event in May. In the latest episode of Masvidal’s eponymous Death Row MMA podcast, he discussed that he was given the chance to make his MMA comeback with MVP.
“So, I got offered to fight on this card,” he said. “I had a very good, nice offer from Netflix, but [the] UFC had other plans for me. They said ‘No, we’re going to use you’ and we’re going to break the news here first on this podcast, where they want me to fight and when they want me to fight.”
No Hard Feelings Between Jorge Masvidal and Nikisa Bidarian
Unlike some business deals that go awry, there’s no animosity between “Gamebred” and Nikisa Bidarian after the UFC reentered the picture for a Masvidal comeback. He also said that his name was being considered for the May 16 show ahead of Nate Diaz.
“I was talking to Nikisa, I get along very well with Nikisa,” he mentioned. “Nothing but love for him for even thinking of me and calling me up and stuff, but it just didn’t work out. I had the first offer [for the Netflix show] before they gave it to Nate. It was me and I desperately wanted to take the fight, but UFC has a good, good plan for me.”
Jorge Masvidal Kept Busy in Combat Sports During MMA Retirement
While it’s been close to three years’ time since he last set foot inside the fabled Octagon, Jorge Masvidal’s combat sports career didn’t stop after he left the UFC. Over the July 4 holiday weekend in 2024, he squared off inside the squared circle of boxing for a rematch with Diaz.
That night, in the main event of Fanmio Presents Last Man Standing, Diaz came away the victor after 10 rounds via majority decision. The card was co-promoted by Diaz’s Real Fight Inc. and Jorge Masvidal’s Gamebred Boxing.
After that boxing match, Masvidal was set to compete in a grappling bout against Shara Magomedov in Hype FC on March 11. The contest was postponed, however, and Magomedov fought to a draw against Edson Barboza after 10 minutes.
No Opponent Revealed for Jorge Masvidal’s MMA Comeback Just Yet
Jorge Masvidal’s return to the UFC began with a message sent by Hunter Campbell, the promotion’s Chief Business Officer containing the words “Welcome back home.” He and Campbell conversed about the possibilities that await him for his comeback.
“We don’t know who I’m fighting yet,” he said. “We have three good candidates there.”
While Masvidal wouldn’t have been at liberty to say a specific name during the podcast, he did mention that a welterweight fight is in the offing.
“Shout out to Hunter, shout out to [UFC CEO] Dana [White],” he mentioned. “Thank you, guys, always, for taking care of your boy.”
Final Thoughts
While a fight involving Jorge Masvidal would have been amazing to see on the May 16 MVP show on the West Coast, a UFC return is probably the better option for the fans. If thought about, the MVP event in May is loaded with star power as it is.
That card features three five-round fights at the top of the bill, with Rousey vs. Carano headlining, preceded by Francis Ngannou vs. Philipe Lins and Nate Diaz vs. Mike Perry. Promotions shouldn’t have too many high-profile contests in the same evening.
Given that Masvidal is set to make his return in the promotion he called home for a number of years, he’s been dealt the best hand possible. It gives him the chance to have a high-profile bout in friendly confines.