It’s still uncertain what Jorge Masvidal’s plans are following the announcement that he’s ended his retirement, but if he intends to return to the UFC then Chael Sonnen knows exactly who "Gamebred" should face.
A two-time challenger for the UFC welterweight title, Masvidal announced his retirement from fighting after suffering his fourth loss in a row when he dropped a unanimous decision to Gilbert Burns at UFC 287 last April.
“Gamebred” has flexed his skills as both a boxing and bareknuckle MMA promoter since retiring but recently announced he was “unretired” in a post on a social media, and Sonnen only sees one option for Masvidal if he hopes to compete in the UFC again.
“There’s a one in a million chance that he goes back [to the UFC].” Sonnen explained on his YouTube channel. “That would have to be him versus [Justin] Gaethje at [170 lbs] for the BMF [title]. The only way you could make up for his retirement, or that you could make up for the discrepancy with their records, is if you spot him the weight and you move Gaethje to 170. And you make it for [the] BMF, and you only have one chance to do that at UFC 300.”
Masvidal defeated Nate Diaz in the main event of UFC 244 to become the promotion’s inaugural BMF champion but relinquished that belt upon his retirement, and Gaethje claimed the symbolic title when he knocked out Dustin Poirier in their rematch at UFC 291.
“The Highlight” has yet to test himself at welterweight and is currently in the conversation for a crack at lightweight king Islam Makhachev. Even if Sonnen doesn’t expect it to happen, the former UFC title challenger does think a BMF title fight at UFC 300 would be the only scenario where Masvidal could step into the Octagon again.
“I don't think this is going to happen. I don't think that at 300 Gaethje and Masvidal are gonna fight for the BMF. But I know Masvidal is not gonna fight in the UFC ever again – and it is not his choice – unless it’s at 300, for the belt, against Gaethje.”
The UFC’s milestone event scheduled for April 13 in Las Vegas was already one of the biggest talking points among fight fans in the final months of 2023, and anticipation for the card has only grown during the first few days of the new year.
A BMF bout between Gaethje and Masvidal certainly seems like it would be a huge addition to that card, but for the moment it’s unclear where “Gamebred” intends to compete next following his short-lived retirement.
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