Jorge Masvidal would love the opportunity to go toe-to-toe with ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor.
On Saturday night, ‘Gamebred’ will return to the Octagon after more than a year on the sidelines. Determined to work his way back to a UFC title opportunity, Masvidal will match up with No. 5 ranked welterweight Gilbert Burns in the UFC 287 co-main event. Masvidal will look to snap a three-fight losing streak dating back to the summer of 2020.
Before mixing it up with ‘Durinho’ inside the Miami-Dade Arena, Masvidal spoke with TMZ Sports about a meeting with the returning Irish superstar. Slated to step inside the cage for the first time in more than two years this fall, Conor McGregor looks to make a run at the welterweight world title, potentially setting the stage for a very marketable matchup between himself and the self-proclaimed BMF champion. Discussing the potential of a showdown with McGregor, ‘Gamebred’ said:
“From the perspective of us breaking records, I think 100%. I’ve sold myself 1.3 million pay-per-views and Conor, the story goes without saying. 1.3 in one night, me against Usman. The first one. It’s a promoting dream. It’s a dream fight for a promoter, but the UFC can’t get him to sign on the dotted line,” Masvidal said.
“I think in many ways, I’m really bad for Conor’s style, brass, and brand because I’m not going to take him down and see what he smells like. I’m gonna beat the f*cking p*ss out of him standing up. I’m gonna make him quit standup. I’m gonna take his shots, laugh at him, and give them right back and break him. I know that he knows that. He’s said it. Dana has said it. I’m a bigger, stronger, meaner guy. I can’t put a gun to his head to sign.”
Jorge Masvidal (@GamebredFighter) on a fight w/ Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) — "I'm not gonna take him down & see what he smells like. I'm gonna beat the f**king piss out of him." #UFC pic.twitter.com/6MPmHVPjJl
— michael j. babcock (@mikejbabcock) April 7, 2023
Jorge Masvidal Doesn’t See Conor McGregor Agreeing to a Fight
Despite the fact that neither man has had their hand raised for the better part of three years, fans would most certainly fork over their hard-earned money for the opportunity to see two of the sport’s most outspoken superstars scrap. Unfortunately, the likelihood of that happening is slim according to Masvidal.
“That dude ain’t trying to get in there with me. He knows that. We’ve had some similar opponents where I’ve dismantled them and he’s taken them to decision. Especially at 170. He’s like fun size and I’m the real deal,” Masvidal concluded.
Recently wrapping up his role on the 31st season of The Ultimate Fighter, Conor McGregor is expected to make his return to the Octagon in the fall for a highly anticipated showdown with opposing TUF coach ‘Iron’ Michael Chandler.
