ABU DHABI – Jorge Masvidal is undeniably one of the most popular figures in MMA today, but his position in the sport could change dramatically Saturday night.
Always known as a “real one,” a true fighter happy to share the cage with any willing partner, Masvidal ascended to superstar status in 2019, but a win over Kamaru Usman at UFC 251 would forever elevate the “Gamebred” legacy.
Masvidal’s story, of course, began unfolding in front of us before he ever set foot in a UFC cage. Bare-knuckle fights in Miami backyards at the invitation of the legendary Kimbo Slice streamed on YouTube and laid the foundation for the fighter Masvidal would become. He was a teenager fighting grown men in boatyards and alleyways, and walking away with stacks of cash.
Battle-tested from the start. Anybody, anywhere, anytime. For that reason, Masvidal has always been a cult hero among hardcore MMA fans.
The fighting skills were apparent from the start, but the personality was there, too. Even during his time under the infamous BodogFIGHT banner some 14 years ago, he already was cracking jokes about his “extracurricular activity” but teasing that he “can’t get into details about those.” Before a 2006 fight with Keith Wisniewski, Masvidal even mentioned his training routine often included “some time for the ladies” to “get my extra workout, my cardio.”
Talk about being ahead of his time.
But as Masvidal’s journey continued, he always seemed to find himself coming up just short in moments that mattered most.
In 2009, Bellator officials set up their inaugural eight-man lightweight tournament in hopes of seeing Masvidal face future UFC champion Eddie Alvarez in the final. Unfortunately for all involved, a relative unknown by the name of Toby Imada had different plans. Two years later, Masvidal parlayed a pair of wins under the Strikeforce banner into a shot at the promotion’s lightweight title, but he was whitewashed over the course of five rounds by reigning champion Gilbert Melendez.
After 15 fights under the UFC banner, Masvidal owned a respectable 9-6 mark that was commendable but certainly nothing to write home about. In fairness, four of those losses came by split decision, so the record could have easily had a very different look, but 15-minute point fights aren’t what most MMA fans want to pay to watch.
But following a 2017 loss to Stephen Thompson, Masvidal took a lengthy break from the sport that would prove to be transformative. “Gamebred” used his 16 months away from fighting to rethink is career. He was done with decisions.
It was time for #theresurrection.
Along with the mental and strategical adjustments came a new look. Long hair. Full beard. “Street Jesus” was born, and Masvidal’s career was truly given new life.
The past year-and-a-half has represented a type of exponential popularity growth rarely seen by any fighter in that stretch of time, much less one with 16 years in the game. Inside the cage, Darren Till, Ben Askren and Nate Diaz all proved to be stepping stones. Outside of the cage, “three-piece and a soda,” “super necessary” and “baddest motherf*cker” all proved to be catchphrases.
Jorge Masvidal was crowned the “BMF” champion after defeating Nate Diaz at UFC 244.
But UFC 251 marks a different opportunity for Masvidal. Stepping in on a week’s notice, Masvidal (35-13 MMA, 12-6 UFC) immediately raised the profile of the card. He now challenges for the welterweight title against a man who would seem to be an absolutely terrible stylistic matchup in reigning champion Usman (16-1 MMA, 11-0 UFC).
The deck is unquestionably stacked against Masvidal. A UFC title fight on a week’s notice is tough enough. Adding in the need to fly halfway around the world and then quarantine for 48 hours? That’s madness. Oh, and he’s facing an opponent who has yet to lose in the UFC.
“The reason why I’m taking this short-notice fight and doing all this craziness, this is the same stuff that got me here,” Masvidal said this week. “My whole career I’ve always done things like this. I’m pretty comfortable with the uncomfortable is one way to put it.”
Masvidal’s star will not dim should he come up short. His fighting style is naturally fan friendly, and at this point in his career, he’s just as entertaining on a microphone as he is in the cage, capable of creating a viral hashtag anytime he speaks.
But at 35, Masvidal has a chance to change the perception of his entire career when he steps in the cage Saturday night.
Before his current run, the label of “journeyman” – reliable, but not necessarily elite – was one that threatened to serve as his chief reputation. In the course of 18 months, he was able to change that to “superstar.” At UFC 251, Masvidal can complete one of the most remarkable stretches in MMA history and ensure he’ll forever be known as “champion.”
It’s an uphill battle, to be sure, but then again, so has Masvidal’s entire career. Perhaps he’s finally been trekking long enough to reach the peak.
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