MMA News Roundup: Jorge Masvidal responds to Nick Diaz, Rose Namajunas to return

Welcome to another edition of MMA news round-up where we present to you 5 of the biggest stories in the world of MMA from the day.

Ariel Helwani's MMA show had an awesomely stacked line up this week and with the likes of Nick Diaz, Rose Namajunas, and Stipe Miocic dropping by, there have been a lot of interesting revelations made in the show.

In today's edition, we will be talking about Gilbert Melendez's release from the UFC; Israel Adesanya expressing the desire to defend his title a few more times before achieving double champ status; Rose Namajunas' future in the UFC; Stipe Miocic's next fight and much more.

Without further ado, let's take a look at the top five stories from the world of MMA.

#5 UFC parts ways with Gilbert Melendez

Speaking to ESPN, former Lightweight title contender Gilbert Melendez confirmed that he has been officially released by the UFC. He said that the decision was arrived at mutually by both parties involved and he will be leaving the promotion with good memories.

Melendez said that should he choose to return to the cage at some point of time in the future, he will do it with a company that agrees with his vision on his fighting career.

“It was a fun ride with the UFC that I really enjoyed. I feel I gave them one of the most entertaining fights in their history (against Diego Sanchez), and I appreciate all they’ve done. They have done a bunch of cool stuff for all their fighters."

“That said, I do feel this release is mutual. I was ready to move on. I feel like, if I were to fight again, I would like to do it on my terms and steer my own ship. The UFC is a fantastic organization, but they have their agenda, and unless you’re a champion or a super-strong needle mover, you don’t have as much say in your career. If I do get back in the cage, I want it to be with a company that agrees with the path that I want to be on. But I’m leaving the UFC on great terms.” (h/t Credit: Sportskeeda)

Gilbert Melendez (@GilbertMelendez) on his release from the UFC. pic.twitter.com/9zojgrRtFe
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) November 12, 2019

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The last time 37-year old Melendez managed to win a fight in the UFC was back in 2013 when he had his hand raised after a thrilling back and forth contest against Diego Sanchez.

#4 Israel looking to make four title defenses in 2020

One of the most active fighters in the UFC, the reigning king of the middleweight division in the UFC, Israel 'The Last Stylebender' Adesanya wants to live up to his promise of being an active champion in 2020. Speaking to ESPN, Adesanya expressed the desire to defend his title at least four times in the coming year.

"I just won the belt. I have to pay respect to the game and do right by the belt. The division has been held hostage for so long. I want to defend my belt four times next year and then I'll go up to 205 and f**k him [Jon Jones] up."

He also confirmed his interest in becoming a two division champion someday by moving up to light heavyweight for a possible title clash with Jon Jones, but not before he is done cleaning up the middleweight division.

Adesanya was supposed to face the Brazilian Paulo Costa for his first title defense, but Costa was sidelined with injury, making way for Yoel Romero to step in and challenge Adesanya for the title. (h/t Sportskeeda)

#3 Thug Rose rediscovers her passion for fighting

After unexpectedly succumbing to Jessica Andrade at the main event of UFC 237, Rose Namajunas revealed that she had lost the passion for competing in MMA, but speaking to Ariel Helwani on his MMA show, 'Thug Rose' said that after taking some time off the sport, she has finally regained her lost passion and is now gearing up for a comeback.

"I lost the passion for martial arts and fighting, mainly for fighting, but I found my passon again. I went back to Minnesota to see one of my former coaches in my amateur career."

Rose went ahead and explained why she wanted to retire from the sport following her loss to Andrade.

"I wanted to retire because this isn't a job where you can go and half-a** and not be fully passionate about what you're doing. There have been times where I've not been totally confident in myself going into a fight but I just pull it off, get through it, push through it, like with injuries or being sick." (h/t Sportskeeda)

#2 Stipe Miocic not interested in trilogy fight against Daniel Cormier

UFC heavyweight champion, Stipe Miocic was set to face Daniel Cormier for a final time to settle their rivalry in a trilogy fight sometime next year but it looks like the champ has had a change of mind.

In an interaction with ESPN's Ariel Helwani, Miocic revealed that he is more interested in a fight against the undefeated heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury instead of entertaining Cormier in what may be the latter's final bout before bidding adieu to the Octagon. Miocic said that he feels that he beat Cormier comprehensively enough and a rematch doesn't intrigue him.

"I'd love to box him. He's a great fighter. He's a good dude, and I think we'd put on a good show." - said Miocic on a possible fight with Fury.

"With DC, I didn't fluke knock him out, I beat him. I decisively beat him. The first fight DC caught me with a punch in the first round. But second fight I won. I didn't get lucky. Right now, [a Cormier fight] doesn't really intrigue me. More with the Tyson Fury, I like that." (h/t Sportskeeda)

#1 Jorge Masvidal responds to Nick Diaz's call-out

Jorge 'Gamebred' Masvidal has responded to Nick Diaz's call-out. The 'BMF' of the fight game, Masvidal has said that Nick Diaz's call-out perplexed him. At an interview with Ariel Helwani, Diaz said that he took an offense at Masvidal claiming he could 'baptize' Diaz's younger brother Nate prior to their titanic clash at the main-event of UFC 244 at the Madison Square Garden. (h/t Sportskeeda)

Speaking at the Dan Le Batard Show on ESPN, Gamebred said that he doesn't understand if Diaz's call-out was an invitation to a fight or for taking a stroll.