Jorge Masvidal on Boxing: ‘I’m Not Coming From The Disney Channel or on Snapchat Looking for Views’

“I’ll be taking somebody’s head off soon”

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Jorge Masvidal started the new year by tweeting that he is unretired.

Unretired

— Jorge Masvidal (@GamebredFighter) January 2, 2024

That remains the case, as Masvidal is preparing for a boxing bout–his first since 2005.

“I’ll be taking somebody’s head off soon,” said Masvidal, 39. “I’ve been getting in shape for it. A lot of these guys in the sport now are YouTubers and celebrities from other sports, but I’m here to put it all on the line. It’s very serious to me. I love the history behind it. That’s why I’m giving so much to the craft and I’m learning every day so I can go out there and f------ hurt somebody.”

Courtesy Zuffa LLC

While there is plenty of chatter that Masvidal’s opponent will be Nate Diaz, he is keeping that detail under wraps for now. But if he fights at 175 pounds, which he confirmed is his goal, then the options are plentiful, including, potentially, even Jake Paul.

“I’m not coming from the Disney Channel or on Snapchat looking for views,” said Masvidal. “I’ve been fighting my whole life. When I am prepared, I’m going to get in the ring and hurt somebody.

“I don’t have to worry about takedowns or getting kicked in the leg. Boxing comes naturally to me. Jiu jitsu was all about sacrifice. But putting on the boxing gloves, it’s like a fish in water.”

Masvidal (35-17) put the finishing touches on his 20-year MMA career last April after losing to Gilbert Burns. There were many highlights throughout his time in the cage, yet none greater than the seven-month stretch in 2019 where he knocked out Darren Till in March, created an enduring highlight reel when he knocked out previously undefeated Ben Askren in only five seconds in July, then become the first-ever BMF ceremonial champion–presented by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson–when he defeated Diaz that November at Madison Square Garden.

Money talks in MMA, so it is not out of the realm of possibility for Masvidal to return to the UFC under the right circumstances. For him, it would be a bout against reigning welterweight champion Leon Edwards, a longtime rival.

But considering Masvidal left the sport on a four-fight losing streak, he understands why he was not offered a bout against Edwards at UFC 300.

“I would love to smash Leon’s face, but I didn’t get that call,” said Masvidal. “If Dana called and they offered, then f--- yes, I’d take a fight against a guy I don’t particularly like.”

In addition to boxing, the focus for Masvidal is his promotion. Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA returns on March 2, streaming for free on YouTube. Eleven former UFC fighters are on the card, most notably Junior dos Santos, who fights Alan Belcher in the main event to determine the promotion’s heavyweight king.

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A post shared by Jorge Masvidal (@gamebredfighter)

The matchup was set up after dos Santos defeated Fabrício Werdum in September, and Belcher battled past Roy Nelson in November to become the inaugural champion.

“I love promoting great fighters,” said Masvidal. “This is the greatest sport in the world. I can’t watch anything else.

“It’s part of my nature. I’d be promoting fights back when I was back in school. That’s part of my DNA. I love fighting. I love consuming it, whether it’s fighting, watching fighting, or looking out for the next great fighter. This is a perfect fit for me, and it’s what I love to do.”

The clash of styles on March 2 should be incredibly violent. This is gloveless, five-round MMA, making the entire card a compelling take for fight fans, especially the main event.

“JDS shut down Verdum, and Belcher is a dog and he’s getting meaner,” said Masvidal. “This is one of those fights where I don’t know who is going to take it.”

Masvidal hinted that he will announce his boxing match during the Gamebred card, which would add another exciting element to the night.

“Maybe we’ll announce it on March 2,” said Masvidal. “But it’s tough to find someone who doesn’t mind getting their face broken.”