Jorge Masvidal is eager to resolve his ongoing conflict with Leon Edwards inside the octagon.
Earlier this month, Leon Edwards experienced his first defeat by finish when Sean Brady submitted him at UFC London. This marked Edwards` second straight loss, significantly impacting his position in the welterweight title picture. Many fans, and Masvidal himself, are hoping to finally see a fight between Edwards and Masvidal.
“We are figuring out the details for my next fight,” Masvidal mentioned on Submission Radio, explaining his absence from UFC 314 in Miami. “I’m planning a comeback, and we’ll make it happen. I`m particularly interested in a fight against someone like Leon. That’s the kind of matchup I`m aiming for.”
The animosity between Masvidal and Edwards traces back to a UFC London event in 2019. Edwards secured a split decision victory over Gunnar Nelson in the co-main event, while Masvidal delivered a knockout win against Darren Till in the main event. Following the event, a backstage confrontation occurred where Masvidal punched Edwards. Masvidal indicates he is ready to repeat that in a sanctioned fight at any moment.
“I can beat him any day,” Masvidal asserted when discussing his return timeline. “He’s been aware of this from the very beginning, from the first time he crossed the line with me – bam, bam, bam! He knows the deal. Don’t mess with me. I can come straight off the couch and defeat you. So, Leon, watch what you say.”
“Currently, I`m just relaxing. Nothing is guaranteed. And, being 40 years old, everything needs to be just right. You all need to convince me, I need to see the offer, and so on, because I did consider retirement, you know? But if the conditions are right and they say, ‘We’re setting up the Leon fight,’ then let’s do it! I’m ready.”
Masvidal initially retired from MMA in 2023 and then participated in a boxing match against Nate Diaz in July 2024. Earlier this year, Masvidal announced his intentions to return to the UFC, but no fight has been officially scheduled for “Gamebred” yet. Despite his time away and ending his UFC stint with a four-fight losing streak, Masvidal remains highly confident in his ability to entertain fans and give Edwards a decisive defeat when they eventually face off.
“Absolutely, in every aspect,” Masvidal stated when asked about how he would defeat Edwards. “One thing I`m sure of is that he can`t wrestle me for five rounds. So, I’m not concerned about takedowns. And I know that in striking exchanges, he is more vulnerable than I am. Comparing our performances against common opponents, excluding Usman, I`ve finished many fighters that he went to decision with. The way he absorbs strikes versus how I absorb them – he`s simply more fragile than me. Get into the cage with me, and I’ll prove just how much more fragile he is.”
