Months later, Jorge Masvidal punched Colby Covington in the face outside of Papi Steak house in Miami.
Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 63 marks the return of the ever-polarizing [autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag], who has not competed since December 2023.
While it’s unknown how much heat the Covington (17-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) vs. Joaquin Buckley (20-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) main event at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla. will have, there’s almost no question it won’t be Covington’s most intense career rivalry.
That crown belongs to the “King of Miami,” [autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag].
Friends turned mortal enemies, Covington and Masvidal finally got their hands on each other at UFC 272 in March 2022. Covington dominated Masvidal and won the fight by unanimous decision.
Weeks after, the two would meet again – this time outside the cage – when Masvidal punched Covington at a Miami Steak restaurant, leading to his arrest, charges, and subsequent plea deal.
Ahead of UFC on ESPN 63, relive Covington vs. Masvidal in the video above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 63.
Vicente Luque is looking at a marquee matchup against a ranked opponent, though he’d welcome Jorge Masvidal in Miami.
LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Vicente Luque[/autotag] is looking at a marquee name or a spot in the rankings after UFC 310.
Luque (22-10-1 MMA, 15-6 UFC) needed just 52 second to submit Themba Gorimbo on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena. Luque has mixed results as of late but was once on a tear when he took out one welterweight contender after the other. He called out the returning [autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag] (35-17 MMA, 12-10 UFC) for a potential fight in Miami, but “The Silent Assassin” still has his sights set on the title.
“Yeah, I mean, for me, this fight was (about) closing out the year in the perfect way, for me to start my way back up the division,” Luque told MMA Junkie and other reporters. “My focus has never stopped being a champion, and that’s what I’m going for.
“2025 is that run for the title, and I want that Miami card. I want top 10, but I have an exception. If Masvidal really wants to step back in there, and he wants to get it done, I would love to have a battle against him.”
Luque was awarded a Performance of the Night bonus for his quick finish of Gorimbo, and the proven finisher sees Masvidal as a fan-favorite matchup. His 14 stoppage wins at welterweight are second-most in UFC divisional history behind Matt Brown (15).
“I want him as an opponent because I know it’s going to be a war,” Luque said of Masvidal. “I know that the fans are going to enjoy that, and I know that we both can deliver a battle.”
[lawrence-related id=2791564,2791898,2790114]
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 310.
Jorge Masvidal feels Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA is now among the big dog promotions in MMA.
Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA has been putting on some of the biggest bouts outside the UFC in recent years, and its owner and creator [autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag] thinks the promotion is now up to par with the likes of PFL and Bellator.
Masvidal, the original BMF champion and UFC star, has been slowly transitioning into a promoter role as he winds down his fighting career. Through Gamebred Promotions, Masvidal has been putting on boxing, bareknuckle boxing, and primarily bareknuckle MMA with big names in the sport. Notable fighters such as Junior Dos Santos, Fabricio Werdum, Anthony Pettis, Alan Belcher, Roy Nelson, and others are just some of the names that have fought under his banner.
With several events and fights crossing the million views threshold on YouTube – where the fights stream – and having recognized names, Masvidal feels comfortable saying his promotion is now formidable competition in the MMA space.
“We get more numbers than Bellator and PFL on YouTube,” Masvidal told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “We get more views than them compared to their big show. I’m not trying to insult them or anything. I’m the only one that has this product, and I’m doing it at the highest level possible. There are other promotions that do bareknuckle, but their fighters records are not that impressive. They are novices. I’m getting a lot of fighters who are known and fought for the UFC, and other big promotions around the world. I get those people or fighters who are doing well and are on the come up with 5-0, 6-0 records. We get a lot of promising talent.
“So I think with our matchmaking, we’re up to par with all the other big shows. I don’t see a big difference between them and us. Now, the UFC is something else – everyone wants to fight for them. But after the UFC, as far as talent, I’m there with all the other organizations.”
Although the Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA events are free on YouTube and feature recognized names in the MMA space, Masvidal says feels the appeal of the promotion goes beyond that. Unlike the rest of the major MMA promotions, he strongly believes the bareknuckle aspect has made his product must-watch TV.
“Brother, I’d say that bareknuckle MMA, if you just watch it one time, I don’t have to do nothing else,” Masvidal said. “That’s it. I just need to get people to watch an entire event one time, and you’re a client for life. You’re not missing a single show. When the fight hits the ground, the action continues because you can go for submissions much quicker, so there’s more action. There’s no time to be on your phone or anything, it keeps people hooked the entire time. Also, on the feet, without any gloves, you can land a shot that ends the fight at any time. There’s just more chances to finish the fight at any moment. I think anyone that watches becomes a fan for life.
“I see it from the first show we had, getting 100,00 views, then 200,000, and now we’re getting 3 or 4 million views a show. And it’s not like we’re having a former UFC fighter once and that’s it, we’re constantly getting UFC names on the card and getting good numbers.”
With a UFC comeback seemingly imminent, Jorge Masvidal shares his plans for 2025.
[autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag] wants to make a big splash for his return to the UFC.
The original BMF champion, Masvidal plans to return next April at the UFC’s expected pay-per-view event in Miami, and he’s specifically targeting a couple of big names in star [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] and former welterweight champion [autotag]Leon Edwards[/autotag].
Masvidal (35-17 MMA, 12-10 UFC) has history with both fighters, but ideally he’d like to face McGregor.
“I’d like for it to be Conor (McGregor) because I heard he also wants to fight on that same date,” Masvidal told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “He’s never mentioned my name because he knows I’ll rip his head off. However, if him and the UFC make that mistake, I’ll take his head off in Miami in April. But I don’t know if he wants it. He knows I’ll break him and make him look bad. I won’t take him down. I’ll strike with him and take him out of this orbit. He’s never mentioned my name, and it’s for a reason. …
“They’re saying he might want to do it, but I’m chilling. If he wants to do it, great, I’ll kill him. If not, Leon Edwards. He and I have history, and it’s time to settle it. He’s not booked, and neither am I. Let’s go, sign the contract, and I’ll break your face.”
McGregor vs. Masvidal: Big UFC business?
Masvidal promises a UFC return in the first half of 2025. It would be his first MMA fight after announcing his retirement from the sport in 2023. Masvidal did compete once in 2024 but in a boxing match against Nate Diaz – a fight he lost by majority decision.
“Gamebred” has been one of the biggest stars in MMA in recent years. Although interested in the fight against Edwards, he ideally would like to fight McGregor, as the two could put on a blockbuster event for the promotion.
“He knows I’m the best pay-per-view draw right behind him,” Masvidal said. “He’s No. 1, and then it’s me in terms of who’s sold the most pay-per-views in recent years. What would a fight between me and him do? That would break all records.
“He’s a b*tch. He’s a b*tch. Plus, he likes to snort cocaine all day. Let’s see if he wants to throw down with a true dog. Training is what I do. I’ll bust my ass to be in the best shape possible. That guy is a clown.”
Watch a live stream of the entire Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 8 card featuring 13 UFC veterans.
[autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag]’s Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA is back with a card featuring more than a dozen former UFC fighters.
In the main event, [autotag]Randy Costa[/autotag] and [autotag]Brandon Davis[/autotag] rematch, without gloves this time, as they fight for the promotion’s inaugural bantamweight championship. Davis defeated Costa by submission at UFC 236 in April 2019. Will history repeat?
The co-main event features [autotag]Maurice Greene[/autotag] as he takes on [autotag]Chase Sherman[/autotag] in a battle of former UFC heavyweights. Also on the card, New Englanders [autotag]Peter Barrett[/autotag] and [autotag]Charles Rosa[/autotag] duke it out, and fan-favorite [autotag]Jason Knight[/autotag] fights [autotag]Joshua Weems[/autotag].
The event takes place Friday at Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, Miss. The entire event will be streamed live and free on YouTube with prelims beginning at 8 p.m. ET followed by a main card at 9 p.m. ET.
You can watch the event in the video above.
Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 8 full results
Randy Costa vs. Brandon Davis ends in no contest (inadvertent illegal knee) – Round 1, 2:47
Maurice Greene def. Chase Sherman via submission (standing guillotine choke) – Round 2, 3:26
Guto Inocente def. Marcus Brigagao via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 4:20
Joshua Weems def. Jason Knight via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-28, 29-28)
Charles Rosa def. Peter Barrett via submission (anaconda choke) – Round 3, 3:21
Frank Tate def. Alex Nicholson via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 0:56
Check out the first episode of “Overreaction Time” as host Simon Samano and Farah Hannoun debate an array of topics in MMA.
The time for overreacting is here!
Check out the first episode of “Overreaction Time” as host Simon Samano and MMA Junkie reporter Farah Hannoun debate these “overreactions” on the following topics in mixed martial arts:
Make no mistake: [autotag]Francis Ngannou[/autotag] is the No. 1 heavyweight in the world.
Because the UFC can’t say no to money, we WILL get Francis Ngannou vs. [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] next year.
[autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] is the best UFC fight for the rest of the year.
The UFC should just get rid of the official rankings altogether.
[autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag] getting an immediate title rematch would be ridiculous.
Sean O’Malley was a fraudulent UFC champion.
[autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag] needs to keep [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag]’s name out of his mouth.
The UFC would be foolish not to book [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag] early next year.
UFC star Jorge Masvidal is preparing to return to the cage, and American Top Team coach Mike Brown was surprised by his readiness.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – One of the biggest MMA stars in recent years, [autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag], is gearing up for a return to the cage, and American Top Team coach [autotag]Mike Brown[/autotag] was pleasantly surprised to see how good he looked when he returned to the mats.
Masvidal (35-17 MMA, 12-10 UFC) recently expressed his desire to make a comeback to MMA after retiring last April. He hasn’t been completely removed from combat sports, though. In July, he boxed against the man he fought in the inaugural BMF title fight, Nate Diaz.
Despite spending a majority of the past year focusing on boxing, Brown says Masvidal is already in shape to compete in MMA, and that includes the grind of wrestling, which is typically the most grueling aspect of the sport.
“I was actually surprised when Jorge came back to the gym, how good of shape he was in,” Brown told MMA Junkie. “He was actually in really good shape, and he had obviously been training, and I’m talking wrestling shape. He was jumping right in and wrestling with the best guys.
“He didn’t get out of shape. He’s focused, and he’s ready. He has that itch and wants to do it again. He’s obviously a big star. There’s a lot of matchups that I’m sure people want to see. There’s a lot of fights I would like to see.”
Masvidal called it a career the first time after losing four consecutive fights. He failed to top then-champion Kamaru Usman in back-to-back title fights, lost a Fight of the Night against Colby Covington, and then came up short against Gilbert Burns.
“Gamebred’s” path to a title shot would be long, especially considering how much the welterweight division has changed in such a short period. But that’s fine with Brown, who would rather him take fights against other established stars than up-and-coming contenders.
“I’d like to see him in a more exciting, like a BMF-type fight,” Brown said. “Nothing like (a title contender fight), I don’t know, like a (Justin) Gaethje type of guy. I always like the Diaz brothers, that would be great. Nate for the third time, whatever, you know?
“There’s 20 fights that would probably excite me with Jorge. He’s exciting, man. He’s always fun to watch. He’s the man.”
Masvidal, 39, saw his popularity grow astronomically after his five-second flying knee knockout of Ben Askren in 2019. He followed that up by becoming the winner of the first-ever BMF title fight by stopping Nate Diaz. Although he hit a rough patch of results, Brown is excited to see him get back to action.
“I say it all the time: I think he’s got more weapons than anybody in the sport. He’s got so much technique, so much skill and can do so many different things. He’s fun to watch, and he’s also good on the mic as well.”
Jorge Masvidal is looking to make his UFC comeback in the first quarter of 2025.
[autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag] is looking to make his UFC comeback in the first quarter of 2025.
Masvidal (35-17 MMA, 12-10 UFC) retired from MMA at UFC 287 in April 2023 after suffering his fourth consecutive loss to Gilbert Burns. He was granted permission while under contract with the UFC to box Nate Diaz in July, but lost the bout by majority decision.
It didn’t take long for “Gamebred” to get the itch to compete in MMA again, and hopes to return early next year.
“Next year in March, I’m there,” Masvidal said on Bo Nickal’s YouTube channel. “If they go to Miami, I’m going to f*ck somebody up in Miami.”
Despite Masvidal’s enthusiasm, UFC CEO Dana White said “probably not” when recently asked about the possibility of having both Tyron Woodley and Masvidal back to the UFC.
Masvidal, 39, capitalized on his time off since retiring from MMA to rest his body. He may have been prepping for a boxing match, but he wasn’t putting his body through strenuous sparring sessions, as well as grappling and jiu-jitsu.
“There’s nothing more f*cking demanding in this world, sport-wise, than MMA,” Masvidal said. “Because when you add in the wrestling, mixed with the f*cking knees to your nose, mixed with people trying to choke you out, and then the strength and conditioning we’ve got to do to keep it up, to be able to stay healthy. In a way, time away from MMA is like getting healthy (laughs).”
Jorge Masvida teased a major announcement about his return to the UFC in the near future.
The point of this year has been reached when Dana White and UFC matchmakers could start looking toward 2025. And as they consider who to book when, they’ll have a familiar name to work with.
That’s because [autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag], who remained under contract with the UFC despite a brief retirement, has said he’s “definitely” coming back to compete in MMA. Masvidal told MMA Junkie Radio on Thursday that his conversations with White, executive Hunter Campbell and matchmakers have been productive.
“Good news, good stuff with them right now, my brothers,” Masvidal said. “Good stuff coming, news very soon.”
When pressed for specifics about his impending UFC return, Masvidal played it close to the vest.
“There’s a lot of options on the freaking table,” Masvidal said. “We haven’t narrowed down a specific one yet. Kind of waiting for a couple things to go here and fall there. Then I’m supposed to get big word, brother – big word, big news. I’ll tell you now: It’d be the biggest news of the year probably.”
Could that mean a potential showdown with Conor McGregor, who’s no longer tied to Michael Chandler? After all, Masvidal and McGregor have feuded in the past. But it’s anyone’s guess.
Masvidal said he’s back at American Top Team and has started training mixed martial arts again – and he’s feeling the soreness after focusing only on boxing for several months leading up to his boxing match with Nate Diaz. Masvidal said he’s pushing himself hard thanks to Bellator champion Johnny Eblen, who’s gearing up for a title-fight rematch against Fabian Edwards next month at PFL: Battle of the Giants.
“I’ve gotten some good, quality rounds with Johnny,” Masvidal said. “Johnny’s getting ready to scrap and, f*ck, he’s on another level right now. He’s hitting the gas pedal very hard. He’s a real nightmare at the gym right now for everyone that’s going with him. I’m never gonna name drop, but there’s a lot of guys Johnny’s going in there with, man, and he’s putting in good work. I think this guy’s gonna be a future UFC champion.”
Celebrate MMA Junkie Radio’s 3,500th episode with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” as they welcomed in a plethora of big-name guests.
Thursday’s episode of MMA Junkie Radio is like no other!
Hosts “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” celebrated their 3,500th episode with a special live stream of the show.
A plethora of big-name guests joined the show, including UFC stars of the past and present: [autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag], [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag], [autotag]Randy Couture[/autotag], Chael Sonnen, [autotag]Rashad Evans[/autotag], [autotag]Gilbert Melendez[/autotag], [autotag]Ben Rothwell[/autotag], [autotag]Johny Hendricks[/autotag], and [autotag]Frank Trigg[/autotag]. Also joining the show were Xtreme Couture head coach Eric Nicksick, UFC reporter Megan Olivi, commedian/actor Joey Diaz, the legendary Burt Watson, as well as members of the MMA Junkie staff. Tune in!
You can watch the live stream of episode #3500 in the video above.
