Five possible fights for Jorge Masvidal next, including Khamzat Chimaev
- Kieran Lawler
- 25 May 2022
Jorge Masvidal has not fought since his defeat to Colby Covington but who could he fight next to get his career back on track?
2019 was the year of Jorge Masvidal.
The man christened 'Street Jesus' knocked out Darren Till in his native land, knocked out Ben Askren with the 'knee heard around the world', and then outbattled Nate Diaz for the BMF belt.
However, his fortunes since that star-making year have taken a turn for the worse. He's suffered three-straight defeats - two to welterweight champions Kamaru Usman and rival Colby Covington.
Who are the possible opponents he could face next to get his hand raised again?
Michel Pereira
Michel Pereira against Jorge Masvidal wasn't a fight on anybody's radar until this past weekend.
The entertaining Brazilian is a fan favourite. Whether it's his eccentric walkouts or his athletic, varied striking, he always knows how to put on a show.
And Masvidal could be the perfect dance partner.
After Pereira's decision victory over Santiago Ponzinibbio this weekend, he decided to call out Masvidal, "I have a little bit of a problem with him (Masvidal), and I want to settle it.
"So he sent an emoji to my wife, the emoji with the two hands together like [praying]," he explained.
"He sent it to my wife and didn't send it to me. And you know, I never actually crossed paths with him, never had the chance to ask him.
"So I figured, you know, I really want to understand, but might as well understand inside the Octagon. So we'll just settle it over there."
With the challenge set, we could see the pair clash in the near future.
Conor McGregor
It can be argued that no UFC fighters hold the same mainstream appeal as Conor McGregor and Jorge Masvidal.
They both revolutionised the mixed martial arts scene with outstanding knockouts - McGregor over Alvarez/Aldo and Masvidal over Askren - and it could be time for both fighters to clash.
Besides it being a fight that could transcend the MMA world, this fight makes sense from a record standpoint.
Conor McGregor has endured back-to-back defeats at the hands of Dustin Poirier and Masvidal himself is coming off a trifecta of losses to Usman (twice) and Colby Covington.
This fight seems logical from a promotional, business, and fighting viewpoint, so it could be the next best money fight in the UFC.
Leon Edwards
Leon Edwards against Jorge Masvidal was a fight already scheduled. The two were booked in for UFC 269, but an undisclosed injury to 'Gamebred' meant the fight was placed on hold.
Now, almost a year later, seems a good time to reignite the feud that began back in 2019 when the two got into an altercation at UFC London - Till vs Masvidal.
The only drawback is that Edwards himself may have his eyes on a fight for UFC gold rather than going after Masvidal.
The Englishman is fresh off defeating Nate Diaz by decision, and he's in the midst of a ten-fight undefeated streak (one no contest with Belal Muhammed).
Therefore, he seems the next logical opponent for Kamaru Usman - the man whom Edwards' last defeat was to. But if the UFC has other ideas, a fight between Edwards and Masvidal to quash their beef would definitely turn heads.
Khamzat Chimaev
While McGregor and Edwards are serial contenders within the UFC, Khamzat Chimaev is a fighter on the rise.
The Swedish fighter broke into the MMA-sphere with his two wins within ten days on Fight Island. He has since continued that dominance with three-straight wins in two years and Masvidal could be next.
'Gamebred' has previously said that he wasn't interested in a fight with Chimaev, talking on the MMA Hour in November of 2021.
Masvidal said: "Is he a top five guy? Nope. I will just fight guys in the top five right now. Also for Nate, is he a top five guy? Nope.
"You know what I am saying like that is how I roll. I'm just trying to fight the world's best.", he said.
Now this was in 2021, and Chimaev has since broken into the top five in the Welterweight rankings, so Masvidal may now be open to fighting the undefeated prospect.
Nate Diaz
Now the UFC loves a series - especially when it draws a crowd - and Nate Diaz against Jorge Masvidal could be that very series.
These two fought back at UFC 244 for the right to claim the BMF title.
After three gruelling rounds of expert striking, Jorge Masvidal would land a devastating body kick which spelt the end for Diaz.
Masvidal was crowned the BMF champion, and the two seemed to have respect for each other.
But now seems the perfect time to reignite this old feud.
Masvidal's last victory was against Diaz himself, and Diaz hasn't tasted victory since beating Anthony Pettis in August 2019.
Round two to decide who is the 'BMF' in the UFC would be a delight for every MMA fan and allow both the fighters a chance to rebound.
