Jorge Masvidal is scheduled to take on Nate Diaz in the boxing ring this coming Saturday as their rivalry continues, but Diaz isn’t the only rival ‘Gamebred’ has his eyes on, as he is planning his UFC comeback.
Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz were originally scheduled to box each other on June 1, however, they rescheduled the event for July 6, as the original date clashed with UFC 302.
Jorge Masvidal reveals UFC clause in his contract as he plans return
The boxing match between the two former UFC stars streams live on DAZN, Fanmio, and UFC Fight Pass, with their relationships with the UFC still in a good sport.
Jorge Masvidal admitted in an interview with Michael Bisping, that he is still under contract with the UFC, and they allowed him to take a hiatus to compete three times outside of the organization.
With that, he is contracted to return to the promotion following his three fights to see out his contract.
“(After these three fights) back to the UFC. The UFC said one of the conditions is that I come back and do one (more) fight, so that’s the plan, come back definitely do another fight and from there, check the landscape out, see if I’m staying in the UFC or more than likely I’ll be coming back to boxing,” Masvidal said.
The UFC welterweight division has changed immensely since the 39-year-old was near the top of it, with the likes of Ian Machado Garry, Shavkat Rakhmonov, and Jack Della Maddalena giving it a new lease of life near the top.
Despite that, ‘Gamebred’ isn’t impressed with the 170lb picture and believes it is lacking something.
“It’s lacking something man, that something is your boy right here. Being in tip-top shape, being violent and, putting on some f****** great fights… Just give them to me man, I’m gonna eat these motherf****** up like tacos, just put them in front of me and I’ll lay some people out… I don’t see nothing that I couldn’t take on,” Masvidal continued.
Jorge Masvidal wants to finally settle his feud with Leon Edwards
Ahead of his comeback, the 39-year-old has highlighted Leon Edwards as a potential opponent, desiring to finally settle their longtime feud.
Back in 2019, he and the current UFC welterweight champion got involved in a backstage fight following UFC London.
Jorge Masvidal caused a huge upset by knocking out then-British star, Darren Till, in their main event, while Edwards edged a split decision win against Gunnar Nelson. Following the event, Edwards saw Masvidal backstage whilst he was doing media interviews and calmly walked over to the star.
Seeing ‘Rocky’ as a threat, Masvidal unleashed the infamous ‘Three piece and a soda’, drawing blood underneath Edwards’ eye.
Despite the feud that entailed following that incident, the two never got to share the Octagon with each other. They were scheduled to fight in 2021, but Masvidal withdrew from the fight in favor of fighting Colby Covington instead.
But, he hasn’t forgotten his history with Edwards, and would like to return to the UFC after his fight with Diaz, to finally squash his rivalry with the welterweight champion.
“I would love to fight Leon (Edwards). Hopefully he still has the belt when I come back around, let’s see what happens man,” the former UFC BMF champion admitted.
Edwards is set to defend his welterweight title against Belal Muhammad in the main event at UFC 304 in Manchester, England, on July 27.