Until [autotag]Leon Edwards[/autotag] gets another win, [autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag] isn’t interested.
As it stands, Masvidal (35-14 MMA, 14-8 UFC) has a tall task in front of him in UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, whom he’ll rematch April 24 at UFC 261. One month later at UFC 262 on May 15, Edwards (18-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) will fight Nate Diaz in the first five-round non-title co-main event in promotional history.
Both fighters are currently booked, but if Edwards defeats Diaz, Masvidal is down to scrap the Englishman, especially since there’s a history of bad blood between them.
“Who’s that?” Masvidal asked jokingly Tuesday during an ESPN+ Q&A with Laura Sanko. “Oh wait, that’s the dude that interrupted our interview. I already dealt with that individual. In his fights, he eye pokes last I heard. So it’s whatever. Win a fight and I’ll be here, man.”
The rivalry stems from an interruption Edwards made in March 2019. Not a fan of Edwards talking trash in the middle of his interview after UFC London, Masvidal left his post and struck Edwards with multiple punches. The infamous “three piece and a soda” was caught on camera and has long linked the two welterweight contenders, though they have never fought.
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Masvidal most recently competed last July at UFC 251 when he lost a unanimous decision to Usman (18-1 MMA, 13-0 UFC). Masvidal took the fight on six days’ notice after Gilbert Burns tested positive for COVID-19 and was removed from the card.
Edwards returned from a 20-month layoff March 13 at UFC Fight Night 187. Due to accidental eye pokes, Edwards’ fight against Belal Muhammad was ruled a no contest in Round 2.
UFC 261 takes place April 24 at the Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla. The main card is expected to stream on ESPN+ pay-per-view after prelims on ESPN/ESPN+.
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