Jorge Masvidal, a fighter who transformed from journeyman to superstar, found himself at a pivotal moment in his career when he stepped into the octagon against Kamaru Usman for the UFC welterweight title at UFC 251. Let’s delve into the details of this intriguing clash and Masvidal’s candid reflections.
Masvidal’s meteoric rise in 2019 included dominant victories over Darren Till and Ben Askren, catapulting him into the spotlight. His momentum led to a title fight against Kamaru Usman on Fight Island at UFC 251.
However, there was a twist: Masvidal accepted the fight on six days’ notice after Gilbert Burns withdrew due to COVID-19. Salvaging the UFC 251 pay-per-view, Masvidal stepped up, but the odds were stacked against him.
Jorge Masvidal’s Frustration and Financial Dilemma:
Masvidal expressed frustration with the UFC’s initial pay offer. He believed that his drawing power warranted better compensation.He desired a fair share of the pay-per-view revenue based on his marketability.
Despite the financial challenges, Jorge Masvidal recognized the windfall that came with taking the short-notice fight. In his own words:
“It’s a regret, but also not a regret. When I got the call to fight [Kamaru] Usman on six days’ notice, me and the UFC had been going back because I wanted more pay-per-view money, I wanted a bigger distribution on the pay-per-views that I was bringing in, they weren’t budging on that…if I bring in money, I want to get paid money.”
Masvidal faced Usman in a grueling battle, but the judges awarded Usman a unanimous decision victory. The fight showcased Usman’s wrestling and clinch work, which proved decisive.
Masvidal’s longer training camp could have potentially altered the outcome, but he fell short on that night. Reflecting on the fight, Masvidal acknowledged the regret of not securing the victory he desired.
Yet, he also recognized the unique circumstances: stepping in on short notice, negotiating for fair compensation, and facing the reigning champion. His loss to Usman at UFC 251 became a pivotal moment that shaped his subsequent fights and career trajectory.
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