Jorge Masvidal seems increasingly sure that he’s coming back to fight in the UFC in 2025.
He has been targeting a comeback in April in an as-yet-announced card in Miami, but recently Masvidal told former Miami Heat players Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller on their podcast that he could be back for UFC London in March against an opponent that sounds a lot like former UFC welterweight champion, Leon Edwards.
Masvidal and Edwards had a heated rivalry that never led to a meeting in the Octagon. However, Masvidal notoriously punched Edwards backstage at an event in London in 2019.
The incident was caught on video as it happened during Masvidal’s post-fight interview following his win over Darren Till. Here is a look at what happened as Masvidal walked away from his interview with Laura Sanko to confront Edwards.
If you watch the video up to halfway through, you can see Masvidal opened a cut under Edwards’ left eye and the latter was furious following the dust-up. Edwards talked about the incident in January 2023, telling ESPN UK that it’s “one he wants to get back.”
However, at the time, Edwards was the champion and Masvidal had fallen to a three-fight losing streak that would become a four-fight skid with a loss to Colby Covington three months later.
Still, it’s clear the two men do not care for each other.
Edwards has taken his time returning to the Octagon since losing his title to Belal Muhammad in another grudge match in July.
The UFC would love to have him in a prime position on the UFC London main card, and queueing up a fight with Masvidal might check several boxes.
Masvidal hasn’t fought in the UFC since his loss to Covington. He’s also 40 years old. Those two factors make it very likely Edwards would come into the fight as a huge favorite.
Edwards has a chance to look spectacular in victory. He could gain some confidence against Masvidal, who for all intents and purposes isn’t on an elite level anymore, and they could send the local fans at the O2 Arena home happy if Edwards takes care of business. The London market is massive for the UFC, and having another star from the region with momentum is a positive.
However, if Masvidal does the unthinkable and wins, things could get a bit interesting. He is still one of the most recognizable names in combat sports. If the UFC could utilize him in another pay-per-view card later in 2025, that would be a win for the promotion as well.
As we move closer to the New Year, we should get some concrete information on when and where Masvidal will make his UFC return.
UFC on Saturday – Covington vs. Buckley
This Saturday, one of Masvidal and Edwards’ former opponents and bitter rivals climbs back into the Octagon. Colby Covington headlines the UFC Tampa card as he faces Joaquin Buckley in an important welterweight scrap.
Here is a look at the card.
- Colby Covington vs. Joaquin Buckley (Welterweight)
- Cub Swanson vs. Billy Quarantillo (Featherweight)
- Manel Kape vs. Bruno Silva (Flyweight)
- Dustin Jacoby vs. Vitor Petrino (Light Heavyweight)
- Daniel Marcos vs. Adrian Yanez (Bantamweight)
- Navajo Stirling vs. Tuco Tokkos (Light Heavyweight)
- Michael Johnson vs. Ottman Azaitar (Lightweight)
- Drakkar Klose vs. Joel Alvarez (Lightweight)
- Sean Woodson vs. Fernando Padilla (Featherweight)
- Miles Johns vs. Felipe Lima (Featherweight)
- Miranda Maverick vs. Jamey-Lyn Horth (Flyweight)
- Davey Grant vs. Ramon Taveras (Bantamweight)
- Piera Rodriguez vs. Joseline Knutsson (Strawweight)
