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Jorge Masvidal is one of the biggest stars in the UFC. This is especially true with Nate Diaz's recent exit from the promotion as well as Conor McGregor still in recovery from his devastating leg break. He remains one of the UFC's few reliable PPV draws.
Unfortunately, 'Gamebred' has experienced a drought of success inside the octagon. He's currently on a three-fight losing streak, with his most recent loss coming against friend-turned-foe Colby Covington. Furthermore, his post-fight assault on 'Chaos' after ambushing him at a restaurant has led to legal issues.
Given the legal battle he's currently embroiled in, as well as Jorge Masvidal's tough negotiating, it has been difficult to get him to sign a bout agreement. However, there are still five UFC fighters he could face upon his return, and this list identifies them below.
#5. Gilbert Burns vs. Jorge Masvidal
Jorge Masvidal was challenged to a fight by Gilbert Burns not too long ago. While it seemed like it was a matchup that would garner a lot of hype, it quickly collapsed. According to the 'BMF' champion, he was offered a bout agreement but never signed anything. Furthermore, he claims to have never promised 'Durinho' anything.
He then trash-talked his Brazilian rival for alleging that he owed him the fight and warned him to keep his name out of his mouth. Additionally, Jorge Masvidal claims that the only dates he was willing to fight on were in March and April, which conflicted with Gilbert Burns' desire to fight in Brazil next January.
Meanwhile, 'Durinho' referred to Jorge Masvidal as a liar before accepting a fight with Neil Magny. Regardless of the outcome of the Burns-Magny bout, a matchup between 'Gamebred' and Burns should be next. It's a matchup that has a lot of history and animosity that will make it easy for the UFC to promote.
If Burns loses to Magny, it won't affect the potential matchup, given that Masvidal is ranked outside the top ten. It would be a fight between two well-known names and a tangible level of enmity between the two men.
#4. Michael Chandler
Michael Chandler is at a crossroads in his career. The three-time Bellator lightweight champion has enjoyed an exciting UFC run. Unfortunately, in terms of wins, he's had mixed results. His dreams of capturing promotional gold grew dimmer with every loss.
In the aftermath of his submission loss to Dustin Poirier, 'Iron' expressed an interest in facing Jorge Masvidal. Despite his win-loss run, the former Bellator lightweight champion has earned significant fan interest due to his frequent Fight of the Night performances.
For his "kill or be killed" mentality, Chandler considers himself the 'BMF'. Unfortunately, after challenging Masvidal to a bout for the latter's 'BMF' title, his proposal was declined. Regardless, it is a fight that 'Gamebred' should consider. It could be winnable and would draw many eyes, given the fanfare surrounding Chandler.
#3. Khamzat Chimaev
Thus far, there's been no noise regarding a matchup involving Khamzat Chimaev and Jorge Masvidal. However, a potential bout between the two men would make for an easy PPV main event. There are only a handful of names that the majority casual audience of the UFC is aware of.
Khamzat Chimaev and Jorge Masvidal are among the names that casual fans recognize. A potential bout offers 'Gamebred' a high-profile opponent that will draw fan interest like few others. Furthermore, a potential win against 'Borz' would earn him an immediate title fight, which he prioritizes.
Alternatively, a win over the 'BMF' champion would increase the undefeated Chechen's star power. This is especially true after Khamzat Chimaev's failed weight cut led to the cancelation of his bout against Nate Diaz.
'Gamebred' would make for a good replacement. With the rub he'd get from defeating Masvidal, 'Borz' could become a long-term superstar for the UFC, given his youth.
#2. Conor McGregor
At one point in time, a bout between Conor McGregor and Jorge Masvidal seemed inevitable. The 'BMF' champion was on a thrilling three-fight win streak. His brutal knockouts of Darren Till and Ben Askren earned him enormous fan interest. However, his one-sided beating of Nate Diaz launched him into superstardom.
Thus, when 'Gamebred' first faced Kamaru Usman for the title at UFC 251, the event made over a million PPV buys. Prior to that matchup, the 'BMF' champion had hoped to secure a bout against Conor McGregor. The Irishman had just returned to the octagon with a 40-second knockout over Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone.
During McGregor's post-fight interview, Masvidal sat cageside hoping for a callout. Instead, he was ridiculed by 'The Notorious.' Since then, 'Gamebred' has repeatedly trash-talked McGregor and challenged him to a bout. With the Irishman set to return from injury in 2023, a potential bout between the two makes sense.
It would be easy to market, given their history, least of all due to 'Gamebred' once mentioning McGregor's mother. Furthermore, the bout would undoubtedly end in a violent TKO/KO to the satisfaction of fans everywhere. 'The Notorious' is also in need of a winnable fight after losing his last two, and Masvidal fits the bill.
#1. Leon Edwards
Jorge Masvidal does not deserve a title fight against Leon Edwards just yet. He is on a three-fight losing streak and hasn't won a fight since 2019. However, things like this have never stopped the UFC from granting undeserving fighters a crack at divisional gold.
B.J. Penn fought twice for a UFC title despite coming off of losses. Furthermore, Frankie Edgar once challenged José Aldo for the featherweight title despite being on a two-fight losing streak. Nick Diaz lost to Carlos Condit, yet the strength of his rivalry with Georges St-Pierre was such that the UFC still granted him a title fight.
Jorge Masvidal is in a similar position. There is a heated rivalry between him and Leon Edwards. After 'Gamebred' defeated Darren Till in London, his backstage interview was interrupted by 'Rocky'. The future 'BMF' champion's response to the trash talk was to sting his rival with a three-punch combination midst the trash talk.
It led to Edwards challenging Masvidal at every turn, but 'Gamebred' always dismissed the matchup. However, after 'Rocky' captured the welterweight title, Masvidal's tune changed, and Edwards expressed a desire to exact his revenge. Given the UFC's penchant for grudge matches, this one is no exception.
It's a matchup that's been years in the making, and it could be the culmination of a long rivalry that the promotion can easily market to the casual consumer.
