Jorge Masvidal: Nick Diaz is a fight that pumps me up
Jorge Masvidal may have another big fight on the horizon.
After capturing the “BMF” title earlier this month at UFC 244, defeating Nate Diaz via doctor’s stoppage, Masvidal (35-13 MMA, 12-6 UFC) may have lured Nick Diaz out of retirement.
Considering their start in the sport, it’s a fight that could have happened years ago, but the story has never been bigger than now, and Masvidal is excited about the idea of a potential fight with Diaz.
“If he’s got that fire lit under him, I know we’re going to have a fight,” Masvidal told Brendan Schaub on “Food Truck Diaries.” “I know Nick’s a dog. He’s going to take whatever I can give, and I’m going to give him everything that I got to hit the off button, to turn him off, as well, so I’m excited for the fight.
“I know he wants to hurt me. He has to avenge his little brother, so it’s a fight that pumps me up.”
Diaz (26-9 MMA, 7-6 UFC), hasn’t competed since his unanimous decision loss to Anderson Silva in 2015. He expressed his interest in potentially coming back to fight Masvidal, as he didn’t like Masvidal’s comments about “baptizing” his younger brother, Nate. The two were actually briefly scheduled to fight at UFC 235 in March, but Diaz said he never committed, nor signed a contract.
But now, with a backstory, the fight has become even bigger. It’s also another opportunity for Masvidal to compete in a marquee matchup, with another opponent that he considers a true fighter.
“Huge fight, and it has a huge backstory, too,” Masvidal said. “It’s definitely a fight, and always growing up, me and Nick both fought in Strikeforce in different shows, and I’ve always liked Nick’s style, as well. I’ve always liked how he scraps. I never thought he was the most skilled guy, but I think he’s one of the guys with the biggest heart, you know? Would just lay it all out there, win or lose. He’d always give it his all, and that’s something that I truly admire, that quality in a fighter. If he’s the fastest, strongest, it’s good, but my favorite quality in a fighter is the dog, is the guy that just doesn’t take no for an answer – even if he gets beat up, but he just never took no for an answer.”
