Jorge Masvidal is starting in this weekend’s co-main event at UFC 287 in Miami against Gilbert Burns. An incredible fight and a true battle for title contention.
Masvidal said that he might retire if he loses to Burns. Masvidal hasn’t won since 2019 in a fight against Nate Diaz for the BMF belt. Masvidal had an incredible 2019. Starting with knocking out Darren Till in London, followed by a 3-second knockout over Ben Askren and to cap it off, a doctor’s stoppage win over Nate Diaz.
Burns is in 2-2 in his last four fights in the UFC, admittedly only losing to the top of the division. A KO loss to former champ Kamaru Usman and a UD to Khamzat Chimaev. On the other hand, he dominated Steven Thompson in July 2021 and did quick work of Neil Magny in Brazil earlier this year.
Since Leon Edwards knocked out Kamaru Usman in Aug 2022 and defeated him again in London last month, the division has opened up. At first glance, you might think, why? But if, during a post-fight interview at UFC London in 2019, Masvidal attacked Edwards backstage. The UFC loves their storylines, so from a business standpoint. It makes sense.
Jorge Masvidal Talks UFC 287 Bout With Gilbert Burns
Masvidal had the following to say during an episode of UFC 287 countdown:
“This could be the last one. 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”.
Masvidal also said in an interview with ‘MMA Junkie Radio’ last month…
“I’m fighting Gilbert, then I’m fighting Leon. I’m telling you that’s how it’s going to play out. I just got some insider information.”
“I’m eager to get in there with Gilbert and utterly dismantle him to the point that everybody is begging for me to go and fight Leon. I know Leon’s not an idiot. He’s already fought before and defended the title and stuff, and he knows what a guy like me brings to the table besides the added beef that we have and the amount of pay-per-views we can generate together fighting for that title. I think it’s epic. It’s a movie ending for me and everybody involved with me.”
Quotes via BJ Penn
UFC 287 takes place this weekend in Miami, Florida. In the main event, Alex Pereira defended his belt for the first time against former champion Israel Adesanya. Will you tune in to watch the king of Miami, Jorge Masvidal, battle against Gilbert Burns in a loser-leaves-town bout?
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
