Former UFC title challenger Jorge Masvidal is working toward a return to action and hopes it’s at the UFC White House event.
Masvidal (35-17 MMA, 12-10 UFC) is aware of the rumors about a fight against Conor McGregor at the UFC’s planned event at the White House, which is something he won’t confirm or deny. After UFC CEO Dana White shut down McGregor fighting Michael Chandler at the event, rumors of Masivdal taking on the Irishman began swirling around social media.
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“Gamebred” says he’s in the gym working toward a big opportunity, but for now, the details are only for a select few to know.
“Some of it is like level-five only access, so I can’t really say too much, but I am training for something big,” Masvidal told MMA Junkie Radio. “… You never know, right? Give ’em what they want, not what they expect. I can say it’s some big news. I have some fight news coming soon, and it’s very big news.
Masvidal, who has stumped for Donald Trump on the campaign trail, claims he’s the U.S. president’s favorite fighter. Whether or not that means he will land a spot on the fight card celebrating Trump’s birthday, remains a secret, for now.
“I can’t deny or confirm any of that right now, but maybe hopefully soon, I can,” Masvidal said. “… Like maybe 10 days, something like that, I should have more confirmation on it.”
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That timeline would align with White’s recent timeline for starting to build the White House lineup. White recently stated that matchmaking would begin after UFC 324, which is next week. Whether Masvidal lands a fight against McGregor or someone else, for him, it’s more about fighting at such a unique event. He’s willing to be a “team player” for this event, and wouldn’t care if he ends up on the prelims.
“Really, just the honor of fighting at the White House card,” Masvidal said. “I’ve fought at the Playboy Mansion, I’ve fought in Russia, I fought in South Korea, South America – I’ve fought in many places. Madison Square Garden. There’s not too many things I didn’t get to do throughout my career, and a lot of unexpected turns as well. Like, I never thought I’d be fighting at the Playboy Mansion, you know? With Hugh Hefner and the crew. That was a little different and surreal as well. So, I would definitely like to do this because, in my opinion, in my book, I don’t think this gets done again.
“I get it if people don’t want to fight for the elitists or however they distribute the tickets, but I just want to fight at the White House. I’m a Latin motherf*cker, from immigrant parents on both sides, putting my crafts and skills on display, at the highest level in the White House lawn. Who’s ever done that? Nobody. It should be a great honor for me and also to represent my Latin community, you know, because sometimes they label us sh*t that we ain’t. So, I wouldn’t mind getting out there, f*cking doing my thing on the White House, you know – and that’s the only fight I come back for, honestly.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Jorge Masvidal teases ‘something big’ amid UFC White House rumors
