LAS VEGAS — [autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag] has multiple major options to consider.
Speaking to MMA Junkie on Thursday night during the launch party for Masvidal’s new El Recuerdo mezcal brand, his manager, Abraham Kawa, said he thinks Masvidal is in a position to go whichever direction he pleases.
“If he wants to fight (UFC welterweight champion Kamaru) Usman tomorrow, he’ll fight Usman tomorrow,” Kawa said. “If he wants to fight Conor and Conor is available, he’s going to fight Conor when he wants to fight Conor.”
Masvidal (35-13 MMA, 11-4 UFC) has emerged as one of the UFC’s biggest stars after an incredible 2019 campaign. He stopped Darren Till, Ben Askren, and Nate Diaz, en route to capturing the “BMF” title in the latter fight at UFC 244. He also recently launched his El Recuerdo, and is both the owner and brand ambassador.
And while many, including UFC president Dana White, think Masvidal has positioned himself to be next in line for a 170-pound title shot, Kawa says his client is looking to get paid.
“It was always ‘I need to get paid’ Once I get paid, everything else can come,” Kawa said. “The conversation’s changed a little bit and I think it’s changed a little bit just because of how close he is to the title so usually when you’re not that close to it, you just want to get paid, you don’t care about it. Or, you’ve had the title forever you’re like ‘ah I don’t care about it, it’s just metal, I’ll go get paid now.’ In his case, we’re right there so really, the whole 170-pound division flows through him.”
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Kawa spoke these words before UFC 246, where Conor McGregor reaffirmed his standing as the game’s biggest star with a 40-second demotion of Donald Cerrone.
But McGregor’s win over Cerrone was at welterweight, and with UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov booked to face Tony Ferguson at UFC 249, the stars appear to be aligning for Masvidal to face McGregor.
That’s likely why Kawa, even before McGregor’s victory, hinted that the shot at Usman can wait.
“He wants that belt,” Kawa said. “I can honestly say he wants that belt but he needs to set his family up first and I think the Conor fight is there now.”
To hear more from Kawa on Masvidal, watch the video above.
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