Jorge Masvidal (photo via UFC / YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Although Jorge Masvidal understands he could earn more money fighting the like of Conor McGregor or Nate Diaz next, ‘Gamebred’ says a rematch with Kamaru Usman is his number one goal.

Masvidal stepped up on short notice to face the welterweight champ at UFC 251 last Saturday, when Gilbert Burns withdrew, after contracting COVID-19. Usman primarily used his wrestling and clinch game to score a decision win in the headliner.

More recently, Masvidal spoke with ESPN. The 35-year-old reported he wants to fight Usman again, as soon-as-possible (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“It’s a no-brainer,” Masvidal said. “Could they offer me bigger names that pay me more money? Yes. For a fact. But if it’s up to me, Usman. For me stepping up on six days’ notice when no one else would. Because no one else would. A lot of people are saying that they would, but who else did it? Ask Dana (White). Who else was actually like, ‘Hey, Masvidal didn’t do it, I’ll do it. I’m right here.’ So, if it’s up to me Usman right away. I don’t care if they can offer me a bigger fight or not, I would like to fight Usman.”

“You could tell me (I’m fighting Conor) McGregor right now and will pay me X, Y, Z dollars: ‘The biggest pay-per-view event in history,’” Masvidal added. “I feel I get compensated well enough now that I keep making the right decisions I’ve been doing, then this money is forever money. So it’s not about money. It’s about I want that damn belt and I’m stubborn and I know I’m better than Usman and I want to prove it. I want to fight again. I’m not going to take nothing from him. He won the first one. Let’s do it again and that’s it. Then after that then whatever comes next after that. But Usman’s the thing I want the most. The immediate rematch with Usman.”

UFC President Dana White has said that Burns, who is ranked #1 in the division, will challenge Usman next.

Masvidal (35-14) had won three straight fights over Darren Till, Ben Askren and Nate Diaz, prior to UFC 251.