It’s been since Super Bowl week that we’ve come to expect Jorge Masvidal to challenge champion Kamaru Usman for the welterweight title after UFC president Dana White said it would take place in July during International Fight Week. Lord knows both Usman and Masvidal have been verbally sparring for months. But just last week White indicated that Usman isn’t the only option for Masvidal. Something “interesting” is being discussed.
And so, if not Usman, then who could be next for Masvidal? MMA Junkie’s Nolan King, Simon Samano and Danny Segura sound off in this latest edition of Triple Take.
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Nolan King: Conor McGregor, of course
When you clicked on this post, I can almost guarantee [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] was on your mind. This one seems like a layup, right? Because it really is.
Sure, you could try to throw McGregor against Nate Diaz – but that could be an ugly negotiation given the players. If you ask me, McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov makes zero sense. Don’t do that. The only money fight that makes sense is McGregor vs. [autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag]. That’s the most viable money fight out there.
Both from a divisional and promotional standpoint, Masvidal vs. McGregor is a smart move. Just when McGregor’s popularity was seemingly on the decline, he goes out and pulls off an incredible, electrifying TKO of Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 in January.
And Masvidal? Masvidal’s stock never been higher. He’s on a roll – a violent, successful stretch that has seen him finish Darren Till, Ben Askren and Diaz in succession.
Magnifying the promotability of a fight between McGregor and Masvidal are their colorful personalities. Imagine those two sitting at a press conference, trading verbal shots back and forth? There’s serious potential for some sound bytes to make MMA’s all-time list.
From all angles, McGregor vs. Masvidal seems like the simplest matchup to make – and sometimes it’s best not to overthink things. Book it.
Next page – Simon Samano: Nate Diaz rematch