Former UFC star Jorge Masvidal doesn't appear keen to bury the hatchet with welterweight contender Leon Edwards anytime soon.
Significant animosity has existed between Masvidal, a former two-time UFC title challenger, and Edwards, who was unseated from the throne just this past July, ever since a London-held UFC Fight Night in 2019.
Both men emerged victorious that night, with "Rocky" defeating Gunnar Nelson and "Gamebred" knocking out Darren Till in the main event. But the real talking point came in the aftermath backstage, where Masvidal and Edwards exchanged words before the former struck the Brit with a quick combination.
The Miami native later dubbed the strikes a "three piece and a soda." But despite Edwards long vowing to get his revenge in the cage, they're still yet to collide for a second time. That's even despite and official booking in late 2021, which fell away after Masvidal pulled out due to a rib injury. And "Gamebred's" subsequent retirement last year appeared to take away any chance of their feud reaching the Octagon.
Now, however, the 39-year-old has his sights set on a return. But while that could perhaps reignite talk of a long-awaited clash with Edwards, Masvidal expects the former champ to avoid him.
Masvidal Pitches Date For Edwards Fight, Suggests He 'Don't Want This'
During an interview with MMA Fighting, Masvidal reiterated his plans to bring his short-lived MMA retirement to an end,
In terms of the ambitions he still holds inside the Octagon, "Gamebred" would like to settle his unfinished business with Edwards, even pitching UFC 310 in Las Vegas on December 7 as a possible fight date.
But in addition to the promotion seemingly not being onboard with that idea, Masvidal claims Edwards has no interest in throwing down with him.
I know he wouldn’t fight me," Masvidal said (h/t Damon Martin). "He got offered and turned it down. He don’t want this. I tried [to fight him]. Leon Edwards don’t want this. He had other options, he went for other things except fight me, basically. I’ll tell you that much.
I’ll tell you right now, Leon, I will whoop your f*cking ass," Masvidal continued. "Let’s f*cking go. I don’t know, maybe Dec. 7 in Vegas, maybe next year at the Super Bowl. I don’t know but I’ll beat the f*ck out of your little skinny ass.
It remains to be seen if and when Masvidal will make his UFC comeback — and who could be chosen to welcome "Gamebred" back to the Octagon.
But the Miami native is seemingly preparing hard for it at the American Top Team facility. He recently got some work in with former Bellator champ Yaroslav Amosov, who has entered free agency and is rumored to be on his way to the UFC himself.
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