Jorge Masvidal is planning a UFC comeback and considering potential opponents, but he doubts Conor McGregor will return to fighting, suggesting instead that he might fight Michael Chandler.
Jorge Masvidal is plotting his UFC comeback. He’s got a list of potential opponents, but don’t expect Conor McGregor to be one of them.
It’s not that Masvidal isn’t interested. Before retiring in 2023, the UFC’s first-ever “BMF” champion called out McGregor multiple times. Now eyeing a return in late 2024 or early 2025, Masvidal sees many options but doubts McGregor will fight again after being out for over three years.
“We’ll see him at a bar and shit,” Masvidal told MMA Fighting when asked about McGregor’s return. “In the cage? As an official or judge? You mean fighting? I don’t think so. Hope he proves me wrong, but I doubt it.”
McGregor’s been hinting at a comeback for over a year since healing from a brutal leg break against Dustin Poirier, Masvidal’s friend and teammate.
After recovery, McGregor coached on The Ultimate Fighter opposite Michael Chandler. A fight was expected in 2023, but a broken toe forced him to pull out of UFC 303 in June.
Rumors suggested McGregor might fight by end of 2024. However, UFC CEO Dana White shut those down, pointing instead to 2025. With each day, doubts grow about McGregor’s return. Masvidal is certain he won’t be the opponent if it happens.
“Conor, under no circumstances, is fighting me,” Masvidal stated. “He backed out against Chandler—poor Chandler! Imagine me?
“That guy is never fighting me. He can’t do enough cocaine to f*cking get [jacked] up to fight me.”
If McGregor stays away, Masvidal wouldn’t mind stepping in against Chandler. It’s just one of many options he’s considering.
Chandler’s been inactive for nearly two years waiting for McGregor. Masvidal doubts it’ll happen and invites Chandler to fight him instead—no doubts about showing up here.
“That wouldn’t be a bad fight to get my feet wet again with MMA,” Masvidal mused about fighting Chandler. “Kind of an introductory course to MMA. But there are many fights I’d take; just throwing that one out there.”
“You can’t sit in silence forever. Let’s go. Want to throw down with one of the most electrifying motherf*ckers in the sport? Let’s f*cking go.”