CLEVELAND, OHIO: After watching the boxing contest between Jake Paul and Nate Diaz, Jorge Masvidal expressed his displeasure, saying he thought he could hurt both combatants if they ever got into the ring.
Masvidal recently announced his retirement from mixed martial arts (MMA) after losing to Gilbert Burns via unanimous decision at UFC 287 in Miami, his birthplace.
Jorge Masvidal announces retirement sparking conflict with Jake Paul and Nate Diaz
Masvidal defeated Nate Diaz at UFC 244 in 2019 to win the BMF title. The continuing conflict between the former UFC star and Jake Paul started when Masvidal supported Tyron Woodley during his fight with the former Disney actor.
Masvidal and Paul engaged in a verbal duel via interviews and social media, despite having previously worked together to prepare for a common foe in Ben Askren.
The announcement of Masvidal's retirement adds an interesting element to the possible combat sports bouts, especially in light of the past and animosity between him, Jake Paul, and Nate Diaz.
Even though Jorge Masvidal has retired from mixed martial arts, he is still bound by a contract with the UFC, thus any move into boxing would require the promotion's approval.
Prominent mixed martial arts athletes have recently switched to boxing; earlier this summer, Diaz squared off against Jake Paul.
Masvidal, who witnessed the battle, expressed his displeasure with their performances, saying that there was insufficient meanness and intensity.
In his post-fight reflection on The MMA Hour, Masvidal affirmed his conviction that he is a real bully with a cruel bent, saying he would take care of Diaz and Paul with decisiveness if they faced off.
Jorge Masvidal believes his skills could break Jake Paul
Given his contractual duties with the UFC, Masvidal acknowledged the improbable chance of such fights occurring, but he was confident in his skills, especially in a boxing sparring session where he said his superior pace, speed, and power would break Jake Paul.
Despite making such audacious claims, Masvidal made it clear that, given his contractual obligations to the UFC, these fights are unlikely.
Jorge Masvidal signed a big deal with the UFC right before his matchup with Colby Covington, his erstwhile friend turned enemy, in 2022, Thesportster reported.
Masvidal's agent claimed that the arrangement would put him in the top five highest-paid fighters on the UFC roster and give him salaries comparable to those of the organization's champions, even if the deal's exact parameters were kept a secret.
The 39-year-old fighter's future is still unknown, so it's possible that he'll pursue opportunities in boxing or make a return to mixed martial arts.
