JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – [autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag] doesn’t need to like [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] to repay the favor.
The former UFC title challenger is more than willing to give Usman a trilogy bout if he beats the champion in their title rematch at UFC 261, which takes place Saturday at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+..
The UFC 261 headliners first fought in 2020 at UFC 251. Usman (18-1 MMA, 13-0 UFC) beat Masvidal (35-14 MMA, 12-7 UFC) with a dominant unanimous decision. The UFC welterweight champion went on to defend his title against Gilbert Burns at UFC 258, but Masvidal has remained out of action. Following the win over Burns in February, Usman called for a rematch with Masvidal and it came to fruition. Masvidal respects that.
“Definitely, (I’ll give him a rematch if I win),” Masvidal told reporters at the UFC 261 pre-fight news conference. “He game me a chance. Whether we see eye-to-eye on things or not, he game me another chance to compete, so I’ll definitely give him another chance to compete again.”
But despite Masvidal’s reciprocation, UFC president Dana White is hesitant to promise an immediate trilogy bout if Usman loses his title.
“I don’t know. We have to see how the fight plays out,” White told MMA Junkie. “A lot of things factor in on if a fight gets made – injuries and personal things. So I don’t know. We’ll see how Saturday plays out.”
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But before a trilogy fight can be even contemplated, Masvidal has the tough task to dethrone Usman, who remains unbeaten in the UFC. Even with a full training camp heading into UFC 261, the oddsmakers have Masvidal as a significant underdog. Usman is a -400 favorite at BetMGM.
Masvidal thinks with proper training, rather than six days’ notice, he can get the job done against Usman and settle the score.
“Not having to cut 20 pounds in six days means a lot to me,” Masvidal said. “Last time, all the energy I wasted cutting weight is going to be spent in putting a finish on him.”
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