COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – The UFC currently has one of the biggest combat sports athlete to ever come out of Miami in Jorge Masvidal, yet the promotion hasn’t hosted an event there since 2003.
Masvidal, a long-time contender and UFC star, hopes to one day fight under the UFC banner in Miami, but he thinks that should come at a price given his drawing power specifically in his hometown. Masvidal (35-15 MMA, 12-8 UFC) is currently scheduled to fight Colby Covington in the main event of UFC 272 – one of the very few times that a non-title bout headlines a UFC pay-per-view.
With 50 professional fights and over 20 years of fighting under his belt, Masvidal has almost done it all. However, headlining a UFC card in his own territory has eluded his career, with the closest being UFC 261 in Jacksonville.
“I have no clue (when I will fight in Miami),” Masvidal told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “There’s a price for that. The UFC wants me to bring the show to Miami. They’ve never been able to sell out the arena in Miami, and they have a horse that thinks he can do it, and that’s me. But if they don’t give me the money that I deserve, I’m not going to do it. I want to do it. I want to fight for my people here, but I can’t let them take advantage of that.
“We’ve had conversations about that and what was offered was a pittance. They’re taking advantage of what I bring to the table in the city of Miami. For me, it’s easy: Give me what I deserve, and I’ll do whatever. If you don’t want to give me that, then no. I’m not going to sell myself short.”
Masvidal has become one of the biggest stars in MMA in recent years.
From scoring the fastest KO in UFC history, putting away Ben Askren with a flying knee in just five seconds, to having fought for and won the one-of-a-kind “Baddest Motherf*cker” title against Nate Diaz, “Gamebred” has made a huge impact both inside and outside the cage.
Masvidal would love to fight in front of the Miami crowd. And if that moment ever comes to fruition, it would be a big telling of his continued career success.
“Whenever you see me fight here in Miami, that means things are in order,” Masvidal said.
The last time the UFC hosted an event in Miami was UFC 42 back in 2003. A welterweight title bout between Matt Hughes and Sean Sherk headlined the card at the American Airlines Arena, now known as FTX Arena. The UFC has had several events in Florida in recent years with cards in Tampa, Jacksonville and Sunrise.
Jorge Masvidal scoffs at UFC offer to book fight in Miami: ‘I’m not going to sell myself short’