After watching Conor McGregor unleash hell against Donald Cerrone earlier this month in Las Vegas, a majority of mixed martial arts (MMA) fans were hoping Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) would book “Notorious” against fellow welterweight savage, Jorge Masvidal.
Promotion president, Dana White, has other plans.
As of this writing, it looks as though McGregor will be taking on the winner of Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson, who collide at UFC 249 this April in Brooklyn. As for Masvidal, he appears to be in line for the next welterweight title shot.
“Give me a month and let this thing heal up,” Usman told Joe Rogan. “I can make a fist now. I’m cracking. They put out the guys, and let’s be honest, if you look at the division, I’ve beaten almost everybody there in the top 10. It’s a matter of who they really want, what’s next. Dana (White) said they really want Jorge. Jorge is the next guy.”
Masvidal (35-13) has scored three straight finishes since making his Octagon return in early 2019, propelling himself to the No. 3 spot in the 170 pound rankings. Only Colby Covington (No. 2) and Tyron Woodley (No. 1) outrank him.
And both “Chaos” and “The Chosen One” are coming off losses to Usman.
No telling yet when Usman (16-1) will be ready for action. “The Nigerian Nightmare” is recovering from a wrist injury so if everything continues along its current trajectory, a late spring or early summer return seems likely, assuming Masvidal is willing to wait that long.
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