It appears the plan is for Jorge Masvidal to get the next welterweight title shot. Dana White revealed the news Friday.
For those wondering if Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal would actually happen, UFC President Dana White has some good news. While Masvidal has been trying to join the McGregor sweepstakes of late, White appeared on “The Jim Rome Show” on Friday, where he revealed plans to make a welterweight title fight between ‘Gamebred’ and ‘The Nigerian Nightmare.’ At International Fight Week, no less.
A few days back, Usman (16-1) and Masvidal (35-13) came close to engaging in some extra-curricular activities at a press event held for the Superbowl, which will take place in Masvidal’s hometown of Miami, Florida this year. Friday, White himself was in Miami, so it’s no surprise the subject came up.
“People know what’s real, and people know what’s not,” White said on the show, in regards to Masvidal.
“We haven’t had a fighter from Miami to embrace yet,” White continued. “Since I got here, I went to dinner last night, I’ve been walking around, everybody’s yelling, ‘When’s Masvidal fighting in Miami? When’s Masvidal fighting in Miami?’ Not soon. We’re going to bring him to Vegas. Him and Usman will fight in Vegas, probably International Fight Week. If he wins, maybe we’ll do his first title defense down here in Miami.”
While the fight was in the works, the confrontation between the pair earlier in the week forced his hand. “We hadn’t announced it yet, but now this has forced me to announce it,” he said.
International Fight Week, historically, has taken place each year in early July. It generally plays host to the largest event of the UFC’s summer, as well as fan expos and other attractions.
