Farah Hannoun: They don’t call him ‘Gamebred’ for nothing
It’s crazy how it’s taken more than seven years for Jorge Masvidal to earn his first UFC title shot.
Masvidal, who had an incredible 2019, is in peak form and there’s no better time for him to challenge for the title. Although six days’ notice and having to travel halfway across the world is far from ideal, no one deserves to be standing across Kamaru Usman on Saturday more than he does.
I’d like to think they sweetened the pot for him a little bit, otherwise what was the point of holding out in the first place, right? But the point is, Masvidal is the rightful challenger. Had he taken another fight instead, he may have jeopardized a title opportunity that could never surface again.
It’s not like Masvidal has been snacking on the couch. Throughout the entire COVID-19 pandemic, his longtime boxing coach Paulino Hernandez has been living with him and Masvidal has been able to get some work in.
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He was also able to access American Top Team as soon as it opened, training on the mats with the likes of Dustin Poirier, as well as three-time NCAA Division-I champ Bo Nickal, who was likely brought for Masvidal to prepare for Usman’s wrestling.
Point is, Masvidal has been mentally ready to fight Usman for a while now. Probably not on six days’ notice, but he did slide into a headliner spot on about two weeks’ notice in 2015 to face Benson Henderson and went all five rounds effortlessly.
A full camp would certainly help, but Masvidal vs. Usman is one of the most anticipated fights of the year and suddenly UFC 251 has become that much more exciting.
Next page – Simon Head: You’ve got to strike while the iron is hot
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