Outside Source
At the age of 40, having left the confines of the UFC in 2023, Masvidal is still paying close attention to the broad MMA landscape. After losing to Gilbert Burns at UFC 287, Masvidal signaled his retirement from combat sports. That was not to be for long, as he rematched Nate Diaz in boxing in 2024, where he lost a majority decision. According to him, he wants to fight again. Additionally, he believes he knows exactly what the UFC should do for its historic event next year at the White House.
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Masvidal spoke to CasinoHawksCasinoHawks, where he pitched that the promotion would be making a mistake going with any fight but the one he has in mind for that July 4 show: Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall.
“Jon is retired,” Masvidal first remarked to CasinoHawks. “I saw the thing where he said he’s coming back and this and that. But the guy hasn’t fought in a while. Before that, he hadn’t fought in a while. And Jon, I think, likes to tease a lot and flirt to get reactions. But I could see him coming back on that card as well. If Jon fights, I only want to see him against Tom Aspinall. I don’t want to see him against anybody else. I seriously don’t. I only want to see Tom Aspinall fight if he comes back.”
“Gamebred” continued, “Jon could beat anybody, just like Tom right now could beat anybody. Tom’s movement—he moves like a lightweight, like a 155er on his feet. Kicks well, moves well, and then all of a sudden, he sends that rocket out when you least expect it…If somebody can beat [Jones] up—maybe I lean towards Tom, because Tom is really, really, really scary right now.”
The organization has made plans before to match Jones against Aspinall for the heavyweight strap. Jones reportedly was to receive the payout he asked for, only to decide against taking the fight. Jones retired on social media, but as soon as talk of the White House event surfaced, he threw his hat in the ring and allegedly returned to the drug testing pool. Masvidal feels that these distractions could get in the way, especially if Jones has not been training thoroughly while Aspinall continues to prepare for battle.
“But I just feel like Jon could beat anybody on the right night too, you know,” Masvidal stated. “He could take just about anybody down. It’s just about how much has Jon been training? Because we know Tom is sweating and bleeding every day. Is Jon doing the same thing? Because if he is, and he’s got a year to prepare, Jon could also beat anybody in the world. So, this would be one of the biggest fights, and it couldn’t be better on the White House lawn we have Tom Aspinall the Brit going against the American. Come on–on the 4th of July.”
Masvidal, however, is not pleased by how the promotion went ahead with Jones’ retirement. Ciryl Gane now faces Aspinall for the undisputed heavyweight strap in October, and count “Gamebred” among those who feel this should be a one-sided shellacking.
“I’m really kind of disappointed in the UFC because that’s a heavyweight title fight,” Masvidal expressed. “It just doesn’t make sense to me. There’s other guys a little more deserving. He just had a title shot, and it didn’t go his way.”
Masvidal Wants to Take Care of Unfinished Business With Rival
The Floridian had plenty to say about various other topics including Conor McGregor’s fall and subsequent announcement for office in Ireland. He also pitched that Darren Till will beat Luke Rockhold in their upcoming boxing match, while airing that he was originally offered to rematch Till in the sweet science but felt insulted at his offer. If the money is right, Masvidal would return to MMA, and he has just the name in mind.
“Leon Edwards needs to fight me,” Masvidal said confidently. “That’s what he should do. I should fight Leon, boom, and seal that chapter. I’m still interested in that. If Leon’s interested in that we can make that happen tomorrow. I don’t think Leon wants it for some reason. He’s a little worried. A little gun-shy. He knows that we’re gonna stand there and bang. And it’s not gonna work out well for him and he cannot outwrestle me.”
The prognosticating “Gamebred” continued, saying, “So we’re gonna have to just sit there and trade and that’s not a good thing for him, if he loses to another stand-up guy…I got respect for him as well. But he’s the one that has a lot of animosity toward me, I wonder why? You want to do it? I’m f—ing here. And if you don’t, I get it. I’m not gonna be a bully. I’ll move on to somebody else. I’ll fight him anywhere, in his backyard, open the gate, set up a little Octagon there, I’ll handle business. Fighting at the soccer stadium, in Australia, on Mars, it doesn’t matter to me.”
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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