Jorge Masvidal believes he can jump in front of the line and fight for a title next.
According to the president of the UFC, Dana White, the next bout for welterweight champion Leon Edwards is all set. White announced shortly after UFC 286 that Colby Covington was next in line for Edwards. Covington stood in as a backup fighter for the main event featuring Edwards and Kamaru Usman. Although Covington was not needed that night in London, he is now the next in line. Edwards spoke about this as well and did not seem too pleased.
Edwards thinks Covington should have to get one more win in order to be worthy of the chance. He stated previously that he would be interested in facing Jorge Masvidal if he wins his next fight and now Masvidal is stating the same.
Masvidal will be facing Burns as the co-main event of UFC 287 in Miami, FL on April 8. A win would be the first since 2019 for Masvidal. Despite the losing streak, Masvidal is confident that a win over the number five-ranked Burns would get him the title shot.
“I’m fighting Gilbert, then I’m fighting Leon,” Masvidal told MMA Junkie. “I’m telling you that’s how it’s going to play out. I just got some insider information.”
There is a history between Masvidal and Edwards. The two were involved in an altercation back in 2019 in London. Following his win over Darren Till, Masvidal, and Edwards got into a scuffle backstage. Ever since there has been bad blood and Edwards has been wanting to face Masvidal. They were even matched up right before Edwards’ first title fight but that bout fell through.
“I know Leon’s not an idiot,” he said. “He’s already fought before and defended the title and stuff, and he knows what a guy like me brings to the table besides the added beef that we have and the amount of pay-per-views we can generate together fighting for that title. I think it’s epic. It’s a movie ending for me and everybody involved with me.”
Masvidal is one of the most popular fighters on the UFC roster at this time. If he is victorious against Burns, there is a good chance the UFC will award him a title shot. He also has bad blood with Covington and jumping him in line would be like icing on the cake.
