A UFC grudge match could be getting closer to happening. For the last couple of years, fight fans have wanted to see welterweights Jorge Masvidal (35-15) and Leon Edwards (19-3, 1 NC) throw down inside the octagon.
However, the fight has never been made. The desire to see these two fight stems back from a UFC Fight Night in England. Both Edwards and Masvidal competed on the card with Masvidal facing Darren Till in the main event.
Masvidal knocked out Till while Edwards won a decision over Gunnar Nelson earlier in the evening. When Masvidal was doing his post-fight interview with ESPN, Edwards walked by and said they should fight in July (2019).
Masvidal replied which caused Edwards to tell Masvidal to, “Shut up.” After Edwards said that, Masvidal approached him and the two had an exchange. Masvidal caught Edwards clean a couple of times and bloodied up the British welterweight.
Ever since then, these two have been jawing back-and-forth, but the UFC has never made the fight. Edwards has called for it over the last couple of years, but Masvidal took fights with Ben Askren and Nate Diaz before getting a couple of title shots.
Will the UFC make this fight happen?
Recently, the UFC has been trying to put this fight together. However, Edwards is wanting to wait for a title shot. Edwards is 9-0, 1 NC in his last ten appearances inside the octagon and believes he should get a shot at Kamaru Usman.
In all honesty, Edwards does have a point. However, Usman is currently booked to rematch with Colby Covington in November which as Edwards on the sidelines. Masvidal has said he’s interested in fighting Edwards, but Edwards has maintained he wanted to wait.
However, he changed his tune a bit today. Edwards told Ariel Helwani that he’d definitely fight Masvidal if they could fight in November. Apparently, the Masvidal camp has been pushing the UFC for December or January.
Edwards wants to try and line up with the welterweight title fight to not delay his shot any further. At this point, there is no word on if Masvidal’s camp is interested in taking the fight in November.
Masvidal recently called out Edwards on Twitter for dodging a fight with him. Well, Edwards has now made it clear that he will fight Masvidal if they fight before the end of the year. We will have to see how this plays out, but I wouldn’t rule the UFC setting this one up.