Another day, another Instagram story of gamebredfighter running at 6 am. As the world eagerly awaits news of what he is up to, let’s look back at the clues we have thus far.
Eight months after announcing his retirement at UFC 287, Jorge Masvidal shocked the world with a one word tweet on January 1, 2024, “Unretired.” Since then, rampant speculation has ensued as to what he is up to.
While some suggest that this points to a return to boxing and not the UFC, here are some signs that give us hope that a return the the UFC might be in the works:
- UFC 300 TBD vs TBD: With two months to go, the UFC still lists the main fight as to be determined. While Zhang Weili, Justin Gaethje, and Max Holloway always bring the heat, this card lacks the star power needed for the monumental event.
- In a recent Instagram story about getting his hair trimmed, Gamebred featured a UFC logo in the bottom left corner.
- Masival told TMZ that he has been “busting [his] ass and that someone is going to get “murked early, early this year.” He indicated that he could confirm no further details.
- “Allegedly,” Masvidal’s contract still requires a sign off from the UFC prior to any fights being booked. It seems unlikely that the UFC would give Masvidal the nod to generate millions for another organization or “individual.”
If a return to the UFC cage is a possibility, who will be his opponent? While no one would complain about an OG BMF reunion, Masvidal appeared to take that possibility off the table. Ariel Helwani reported that a boxing match between Diaz and Masvidal is slated for later this year, but neither Diaz nor Masvidal has confirmed that news. Masvidal suggested that Diaz would pass on a UFC rematch, stating “if it was in the streets, that dude would say hell no. He knows what happens in the streets. In an MMA ring, he already knows what happens. Maybe he would say yes to boxing. I don’t know, you gotta ask that dude.”
Is it then a possibility that UFC 300 will headline two of the biggest stars it has ever known? On January 26, McGregor tweeted, “McGregor on 300 seals the deal.”
While this could reference the delayed Michael Chandler fight, something tells us that the UFC would prefer a record-breaking battle between these two pay-per-view kings.
