Jorge Masvidal planning UFC comeback

Jorge Masvidal retired from UFC in April 2023 after a 20-year career but is considering a possible return, he told MMA Fighting on Thursday.

"I've been talking to my boy," Masvidal said, referring to UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell. "Finding out, he's like, 'Let me check this date, see if this dude wants the heat, let me see if that guy wants to get beat up.'"

Masvidal, who turns 40 in November, hasn't stepped into in a UFC ring since losing to Gilbert Burns on points in Miami in April 2023. He retired after that fight, his fourth straight loss, but seems intent on a comeback in the near future.

"First, we'll lock in the date," Masvidal said. "Lock in that date and then we'll find the body. ... It could be this year, it could be Vegas on 7 December. I'll (expletive) drop Michael Chandler dead on his ass. It could be next year. ... Knock somebody else on their ass.

"I don't know, I don't quite know yet. I'm going to review all my options. I'm going to see all my options, see what the money looks like, too. I love fighting, but most don't need to know that; they might try to drop the price on me."

A veteran of more than 50 professional fights, Masvidal has been in the ring since retiring -- a boxing ring -- when he lost to UFC fighter Nate Diaz by majority decision in July. It served as a rematch of sorts after his 2019 UFC win against Diaz via doctor stoppage.

Masvidal, who holds the UFC record for fastest knockout when he took out Ben Askren in July 2019 in five seconds, enjoyed his best year in 2019, when the Miami native won all three of his bouts via knockout.

It all went downhill from there as Masvidal was outpointed by Kamaru Usman in a welterweight title fight in 2020 then lost the 2021 rematch in a knockout. Colby Covington outpointed Masvidal in 2022, then Burns followed suit last year.

--Field Level Media