Masvidal: UFC Can’t Pay ‘Fragile’ McGregor Enough To Fight Me

Jorge Masvidal is interested in making the most money possible, but he isn’t ready to trade in his chance at welterweight gold for a clash with Conor McGregor.

Masvidal, who is coming off a disappointing knockout loss in a rematch with UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman back at UFC 261, is hoping to win his next few fights and put himself right back in contention at 170 pounds. As one of the most popular and dangerous fighters on the roster today it shouldn’t be hard for “Gamebred” to dust himself off and make another push for the title.

That said, Masvidal has a lot of options at his disposal. In addition to all of the great matchups Masvidal could find atop the welterweight division he still has a BMF rematch with Nate Diaz waiting in the wings and a potential clash with Conor McGregor that has been talked about for quite some time. While Masvidal would make the most money fighting someone like “Notorious” the veteran contender doesn’t believe the Irishman will ever be interested in the matchup.

“I’m full man size. He’s like a very small, fragile dude,” Masvidal told MMA Junkie. “He don’t want that. You can’t pay that man enough money, so that one’s OK. (I) don’t need it.”

With a potential clash with McGregor off the table (for now) Masvidal is open to fighting anyone who’s going to get him closer to the title. That could mean a long-awaited matchup with rival Leon Edwards or a bout with former UFC title challenger Gilbert Burns, who is coming off a decision win over Stephen Thompson this past July.

“The guy that gets me the closest and the fastest to the title bout (is what I want next),” Masvidal said.

Masvidal, who turns 37 this November, is expected to meet with UFC officials early next month to determine his next opponent. Edwards seems like the most likely option given their storied history, but “Gamebred” is open to just about anything the promotion wants.

“That’s what I’m going to find out in two weeks,” Masvidal said. “Whoever the UFC’s like, ‘Man, this guy gets you quicker than anybody else and blah, blah, blah,’ that’s it. That’s what I have to take.”