Conor McGregor vs. Jorge Masvidal: The Fight That Makes Sense

Two of the biggest draws in MMA, Jorge Masvidal (35-16 MMA, 12-9 UFC) and Conor McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC), have had their names float around in unison of late. As the two megastars of the UFC have traded blows on numerous occasions and the former featherweight and lightweight champion McGregor is expected to return at 155lbs (welterweight), many believe this matchup could be the biggest fight in the company’s history. 

 Dana White says no, Mike Brown says yes 

When approached by TMZ, UFC President Dana White completely shut down the idea of a potential meeting between the two: “Hell no,” White responded. “Masvidal is too big for Conor. There are plenty of fights for [Masvidal] in his weight division without Conor. He’s too big for Conor. [McGregor] doesn’t belong at 170 [pounds]. He’s got the balls to fight at 170, but he doesn’t belong there.” 

The above statement from White was recorded in 2019, but do we think White has changed his mind in three years? We know the UFC President has gone back on his word before 

American Top Team coach Mike Brown has no reason to believe why this fight won’t happen. “That would be incredible,” Brown told MMA reporters. “I couldn’t imagine a fight that would be bigger. With both of their personalities and their fighting styles, I think it would be the biggest numbers the sport’s ever seen.” 

McGregor continues the healing process of his broken leg, suffered during a TKO loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 last year. Masvidal recently lost a one-sided decision to former teammate Colby Covington at UFC 272 earlier this year. 

As McGregor continues to bulk up and post pictures of his gains in weight, it’s not entirely out of the question that White will let these two go at it, and Brown doesn’t believe the past sentiment of White would remain today. 

“Conor’s obviously put on some size,” Brown said. “It looks like, in his mind, he is looking to move up. I have no idea his plans, but maybe this is what he had his eyes set on. Obviously, he has a plan, and he has his eyes set on something, and it looks like it’s something at welterweight, and it might be Jorge. I think Jorge is one of the absolute biggest draws in the sport and one of the most exciting guys in the sport, so it would make a lot of sense.”  

New York, Early Odds, & Name Calling 

McGregor has fought Nate Diaz at welterweight twice, and Jorge has fought at lightweight on numerous occasions; White’s sentiment that these two are mismatched in size doesn’t hold much weight – no pun intended. 

Both men have fought Nate Diaz, a fighter who is larger in height than McGregor and Masvidal. This leads me to believe that size has nothing to do with it, and the UFC President has ulterior motives for claiming this fight won’t happen. 

Madison Square Garden, November 2022, Masvidal vs. McGregor, there’s no denying the sound of this already generating the most significant pay-per-view returns the UFC has witnessed since McGregor/Poirier. 

Masvidal and McGregor both fought Diaz in New York, the mecca of combat sports and a state where fighting history runs deep; when collaborated with New York sports betting and its recent legalization, numbers from all markets are going to explode. 

Speaking of which, betting odds can be found on a potential Masvidal vs. McGregor bout, and it’s the Miami, Florida, representative who’s taken the favorable position. Masvidal can be found at -165, with a comeback on McGregor at +130. 

Will this fight ever take place? I believe so. It may not be this year or even next year. But before these two men hang up the gloves, it would be a shame to ignore a contest of this magnitude. Two strikers with two of the strongest fan bases going head-to-head is a no-brainer piece of matchmaking. 

Masvidal recently called out McGregor for his next fight and accused the former two-division champ of being “too scared” to fight him. McGregor responded by mentioning the alleged assault of Colby Covington, calling him “an absolute pigeon brain”. This is one of many exchanges the two have shared over the years; the promo is already set; we just need the contract.