Morning Report: Jorge Masvidal willing to end retirement for rematch with ‘corny motherf*****’ Ben Askren in boxing

Jorge Masvidal returning to combat sports at some point feels inevitable.
Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA has become the former BMF champion’s primary focus since concluding his career at UFC 287 in his home of Miami, Fla. this past April. Amassing a four-fight losing skid to close out his 52-fight 20-year career, Masvidal, 38, highlighted an evident slowdown in his reflexes as a big reason why he felt it was time to walk away.
Returning to MMA appears to be a long shot for “Gamebred” in the future unless for an inordinate amount of money. Masvidal has already said on a couple of occasions that a striking art like boxing would be more likely to entice him out of retirement, especially if paired against someone he has a history with.
“I don’t plan on fighting anybody any time soon but maybe like in a boxing match, I’d come out and just smack Nate [Diaz] up later on in life or something like that,” Masvidal told TMZ Sports. “Maybe me and Jake [Paul], something in the future, I don’t know, man. But as of right now, I’m just doing the promoting thing.”
Paul and Diaz will be trading blows next weekend in Dallas, Tex. in what will be the professional boxing debut for the latter. Masvidal earned his aforementioned BMF crown with a third-round doctor’s stoppage over Diaz at UFC 244 in November 2019. Now that he’s retired, the UFC is reviving the previously labeled “one of one” belt for a massive lightweight rematch between Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje at UFC 291 this Saturday night.
Masvidal’s winning streak up until, and including, his BMF title win launched him into a new stratosphere of superstardom. For most, Masvidal was the fighter of 2019, and throughout the run delivered highlights aplenty. One of which stood out more than the rest.
UFC 239 saw “Gamebred” set the UFC record for the fastest knockout, landing a stunning flying knee on Ben Askren in only five seconds. The loss was Askren’s first of his undefeated 20-fight career and one he admits still stings significantly more than the two that followed opposite Demian Maia in his final UFC fight and Paul in boxing. Also retired, Askren has mentioned on a few occasions that if he were to return, a Masvidal rematch would be his No. 1 choice. Unsurprisingly, Masvidal likes the idea.
“I heard Ben Askren said he’d come out of retirement to fight me,” Masvidal said. “I was like, ‘This dude…’ He wanted MMA but for his sake, I’d do boxing [if I were him] so I can’t knee him in the face, it’s illegal. Duh. Come on, man (laughs).
“Hey, Ben. I’ll beat your ass with both hands behind my back. Ben’s so bad at boxing. He’s the one that said it. Look, Ben, I’ll only give you the rematch in boxing, motherf*****. People will tune in because I can’t knee him in the face, right? Maybe Ben can ‘get his way now.’ Hey, Ben, kiss my ass, you coming out of retirement. I’ll send you right back into it, motherf*****. This guy, bro. They shouldn’t have shown me that comment, you corny motherf*****.”
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VIDEO STEW
The MMA Hour.
BROADENED HORIZIN.
UFC 291 Embedded 1.
Poirier vs. Gaethje 2 preview.
“Wonderboy’s” secrets.
Gaethje’s Road to UFC Ep. 6.
Durniho on commentary.
BJJ superpowers.
LISTEN UP
On To the Next One. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Alex K. Lee discuss the matches to make after UFC London.
MORNING MUSIC
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Fight week.
Change up.
Training.
A new era of flyweights.
Makoto Shinryu believes he is the one to lead the future of the new Flyweight division. #BellatorvsRIZIN2
[ 7/29 | 11pm ET/8pm PT ]
[ 7/30 | 12pm JST ]
PPV ↓ https://t.co/pWqfJUXXnE pic.twitter.com/MClNqES2UP — RIZIN FF English (@rizin_English) July 25, 2023
Shinryu’s father gave up everything to help his son pursue his dream.
By age 15, Shinryu was submitting professional fighters in the gym!#BellatorvsRIZIN2
[ 7/29 | 11pm ET/8pm PT ]
[ 7/30 | 12pm JST ]
PPV link in bio pic.twitter.com/Ss7rRQrO26 — RIZIN FF English (@rizin_English) July 25, 2023
Stats.
There is 9 Interim UFC champions that never went on to win the Undisputed title. 3 of them compete at UFC 291.
Dustin Poirier
Justin Gaethje
Tony Ferguson
Yair Rodriguez
Shane Carwin
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
Carlos Condit
Colby Covington
Ciryl Gane pic.twitter.com/drMwBOPNjo — Andy Hickey MMA (@AndyHickeyMMA) July 24, 2023
Hats.
How do I get one of these funny hats? https://t.co/gZyMeFrC2o — Tim Elliott (@TElliott125) July 25, 2023
Onward.
Well.
Name This Movie?
I’ll Start “The Great White Hope” pic.twitter.com/5dasD8aJEM — Joaquin New Mansa Buckley (@Newmansa94) July 25, 2023
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pat Miletich (29-7-2) vs. Mike Jackson (1-2, 1 NC); Caged Aggression MMA, Oct. 14
Derek Brunson (23-9) vs. Roman Dolidze (12-2); UFC 295, Nov. 11
FINAL THOUGHTS
Just want to give one more big thank you to the bad guy for the love Monday. If you know, you know!
Thanks for reading!
EXIT POLL
Poll Which potential Masvidal boxing match are you most interested in? Jake Paul
Nate Diaz
Ben Askren vote view results 0% Jake Paul (0 votes)
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