Jorge Masvidal hints UFC 287 loss could lead to big move

Jorge Masvidal. Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Jorge Masvidal hints UFC 287 loss could send him into retirement

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 4/3/23

Jorge Masvidal (35-16, 12-9 UFC) is presumably one win away from a UFC welterweight title shot. He’s also apparently one win away from calling it a career as well.

During a recent episode of “UFC 287 Countdown,” Masvidal, who’s last his last three fights, hinted that a loss to Gilbert Burns (21-5, 14-5 UFC) on April 8 may be the last time he steps foot in the octagon.

“This could be the last one,” he said. “If I lose, I’m pretty much calling it quits. But a win against Gilbert means that things are headed in the right direction. So if I roll the dice and do everything right, I’m going for it all. For one title, or many titles."

Masvidal hasn’t fought in over a year. His last bout come in March of 2022 — a unanimous decision loss to Colby Covington at UFC 272. A win over Burns would certainly seem to put Masvidal in line for a title shot against 170-pound champion Leon Edwards — something he seems certain of, citing “insider information.”

The two had an altercation a number of years ago when Masvidal attacked Edwards backstage at a UFC event in London.

Jorge Masvidal and Leon Edwards exchange words and punches backstage during the ESPN+ post-show pic.twitter.com/kYEkWxN8Io
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 16, 2019

Masvidal’s three-fight losing streak is the longest of his career, though two of them came against former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. Prior to that stretch, Masvidal had three straight wins over title contenders Nate Diaz (winning the symbolic "BMF" title), Ben Askren and Darren Till.

Though he just turned 38 and he’s had 21 fights in the UFC since joining the organization in 2013, Masvidal believes he’s at perhaps the peak of his career. A win on Saturday could earn the Miami native a possible third shot at the welterweight title.

“I think I’m at my best right now — my mental, my physical (health) — and now I’ve got to go out there and prove it,” Masvidal said. “I’ve got my back up against the wall. I get to start my resurrection here in Miami-Dade County, the city that birthed me, that made me, that molded me, so I’m more than excited.”

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