Kamaru Usman (photo via UFC / YouTube)

By FCF Staff

After weeks of speculation as to whether Jorge Masvidal and Conor McGregor would end up fighting next, UFC President Dana White is reporting “Gamebred” will fight Kamaru Usman this summer.

Masvidal had been campaigning for a fight with McGregor for several months. But, more recently the focus has shifted to a bout with Usman, as Masvidal and the welterweight champ have been exchanging verbal jabs. Further, after McGregor quickly defeated Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 this month, White said the plan was to have Conor fight for the lightweight title next.

White recently appeared on “The Jim Rome Show”, and during the interview he confirmed the UFC is targeting a bout between Usman and Masvidal (quotes via MMA Fighting):

“We’re going to bring them to Vegas,” White said. “Him (Masvidal) and Usman will fight in Vegas probably International Fight Week. If [Masvidal] wins, maybe we’ll do his first title defense down here in Miami.”

“That was always the plan, and then whatever happened with them a couple of days ago, whenever that was. We hadn’t announced it yet, but now, this has forced me to announce it.”

At a media event this week in Miami, ahead of the Super Bowl, Usman and Masvidal had a heated, verbal run-in that quickly made headlines.