Jorge Masvidal (image via UFC/YouTube)

By Kelsey Mowatt

It wasn’t that long ago when Jorge Masvidal was preparing for his first shot at the UFC’s welterweight crown, following a series of headline-grabbing wins. But, fast forward to today, and this weekend could mark the final time Masvidal competes in MMA.

Masvidal is booked to fight fellow, welterweight contender Gilbert Burns at UFC 287 this Saturday, which will take place in Miami. “Gamebred” will be looking to end a three-fight, losing skid, as Masvidal is coming off back-to-back losses to Kamaru Usman, as well as a decision loss to rival, Colby Covington.

Now that Masvidal is 38 years old, it sounds like the star is keenly aware how crushing a fourth straight defeat would be. In the UFC 287 Countdown show, Masvidal acknowledged that a loss will likely close the door on his MMA career (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“This could be the last one,” Masvidal said.“If I lose, I’m pretty much calling it quits. But a win against Gilbert means that things are headed in the right direction. So if I roll the dice and do everything right, I’m going for it all.”

For years, Masvidal was widely considered to be one of the more underrated and unheralded fighters in the game. But, his memorable wins over Darren Till, Ben Askren and Nate Diaz in 2019, helped make Masvidal one of the biggest names in MMA.

While it remains to be seen if Masvidal (35-16) can put together another title run, “Gamebred’s” says he’s more than ready to go at UFC 287.

“I think I’m at my best right now – my mental (game), my physical – and now I’ve got to go out there and prove it,” Masvidal said. “I’ve got my back up against the wall. I get to start my resurrection here in Miami-Dade County, the city that birthed me, that made me, that molded me, so I’m more than excited. April 8, I give it all I’ve got. I win, we keep rolling that dice until we get that f*cking belt.”

Burns (21-5), meanwhile, is coming off a submission win over Neil Magny, following his thrilling, decision loss to Khamzat Chimaev. The decorated grappler is 3-2 in his last 5 fights.