Jorge Masvidal is set to face Gilbert Burns in the co-main event of UFC 287 in April after over a year away from the octagon. The No.11-ranked welterweight recently shared why the matchup is ideal for him after facing wrestlers in his past three bouts.
Speaking to Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Masvidal stated:
“Immediately, I didn’t want to fight another heavy wrestling-oriented individual, just because that’s been like my last three, four fights out so I just wanted to fight somebody different, like a grappler, striker, something like that. Not necessarily somebody wrestling heavy so I thought Gilbert was the best choice.”
The UFC 287 co-main event will be a battle between top welterweights Gilbert Burns and Jorge Masvidal ? https://t.co/cEDj8tBYGp
Masvidal added:
“Somebody who comes to the fight where if it’s on the ground, he’s trying to finish and if it’s on the feet, he’s trying to finish. It’s just going to make for a good fight. That’s what I want. Meanwhile, I’ll keep working on my wrestling and getting my wrestling better during all this time because I’m going to have to face those guys at some point or another again.”
Masvidal will look to get back in the win column at UFC 287 after losing his three previous bouts. Two of those came against Kamaru Usman for the welterweight title. While Burns is not a wrestler, he is an elite grappler and one of the top welterweights in the sport.
Watch Jorge Masvidal discuss why Gilbert Burns is an ideal opponent for him below (starting at the 52:15 mark):
Jorge Masvidal shares his thoughts on Colby Covington
Jorge Masvidal is currently awaiting trial for felony aggravated battery after allegedly attacking Colby Covington outside a restaurant in Miami, Florida. During his appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, the No.11-ranked welterweight shared his thoughts on his friend-turned-enemy, stating:
“He’s a little b**ch, basically. At this point, that’s all we’ve been able to determine, that he’s a b**ch. That’s the only thing. His blood type came back super b**ch. I got these court cases and s**t, man. I don’t know what’s going on. I can’t really talk about it too much because my trial’s coming up and I can get in trouble, but all I can say is Colby’s a f**king b**ch.”
After several delays, Masvidal’s trial is reportedly set to begin in February. Following the trial, he will likely face a civil trial in response to a lawsuit from Covington.
Watch Jorge Masvidal share his thoughts on Colby Covington below (starting at the 52:55 mark):
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