Jorge Masvidal believes that with an impressive performance against Gilbert Burns at UFC 287, he can earn a welterweight title shot, despite UFC president Dana White declaring Colby Covington as next in line.
Jorge Masvidal believes he still has a chance to secure a UFC title shot this weekend. Last month, welterweight champion Leon Edwards solidified his hold on the 170-pound title by defeating Kamaru Usman in their rematch at UFC 286. Following the match, Edwards suggested his next title defense could happen against the winner of the UFC 287’s co-main event between Masvidal and Gilbert Burns. However, UFC president Dana White shut down those ideas by declaring that Masvidal’s longtime rival Colby Covington is next in line. Given the bad blood between the two, Masvidal is not pleased about it.
“I currently have three felonies because this b**** Colby says I gave him a brain injury, so how the f*** is he going to fight for any title is what I want to know,” Masvidal said Wednesday at UFC 287 media day. Masvidal and Covington have a storied rivalry since last year, when Masvidal allegedly assaulted Covington outside a restaurant in Miami, just a few weeks after losing to him at UFC 272. Following the incident, Covington claimed to have suffered a brain injury from the alleged assault. Their trial is set for May 22 to resolve the matter. Masvidal is scheduled to serve in the co-main event of the UFC’s first Miami card in 20 years, and questions are around whether Covington might make an appearance or further stir the pot with “Gamebred,” but Masvidal isn’t concerned.
“Of course, man. He’s an attention seeking-ass whore,” Masvidal said. “I don’t give a flying f*** [if Covington is at UFC 287]. All I know is that he has a restraining order on me. I have to stay 100 feet from this individual. I don’t even know why he would put such a thing on me because I’m, like, the coolest guy. So my mind is still blown on why he has a restraining order on me.” Instead, Masvidal is determined to claim the next welterweight title shot that was promised to Covington.
Masvidal has his own long history with Edwards and, as one of the UFC’s biggest stars, he believes that with the right performance this weekend, he can make it happen. “I never underestimate anybody that has two hands and two feet, but I also don’t stop thinking about that — after this fight, I’m going to England, and then come back to this great country and defend that belt,” Masvidal said. “As long as I do my job Saturday, everything else will fall into place.” UFC 287 takes place this Saturday at the Kaseya Center in Miami.