Former UFC star targets White House card for comeback fight

Jorge Masvidal is confident he will attract the attention of the combat sports world again if he returns to MMA.

Plenty of rumors are swirling around the UFC’s highly anticipated White House event, tentatively scheduled for June 14, and several involve former two-division champion Conor McGregor, who has repeatedly stated his intention to be part of the card. After UFC CEO Dana White ruled out the possibility of a grudge match with McGregor and Michael Chandler, “The Notorious” said he doesn’t care who he fights in the White House.

This opened the door to more online gossip, including the possibility of a fight with Masvidal. In an interview with MMA Junkie, Masvidal was asked directly about McGregor’s speech, and for now, he’s keeping his lips sealed.

“You never know, do you?” » said Masvidal. “Damn, give them what they want, not what they expect. I can break some big news. I have some fight news coming and it’s really big news and I can’t deny or confirm what you just said.

“You just have to let the chips fall where they may, but there is definitely some big news heading towards the MMA community.”

Masvidal (35-17) last fought for the UFC in 2023. A UFC 287 clash against Gilbert Burns ended in a loss, Masvidal’s fourth in a row, and he subsequently announced his retirement. He returned to competition in July 2024 for a boxing match against Nate Diaz and lost by majority decision. Outside of this fight, the 41-year-old has remained regularly involved in combat sports as a promoter for several combat sports promotions, including the bare-knuckle organization Gamebred Fighting Championship.

He also indicated that he continues to train, although he did not specify if it is for a specific opportunity.

“A combination of things,” Masvidal said. “I can’t. Some of them are like level 5 access only, so I can’t really say too much, but I’m training for something big, I can say that.”

One thing Masvidal knows for sure is that if he competes under MMA rules again, it will only be to fight in front of President Donald Trump.

“I wouldn’t mind going over there and doing my thing at the White House,” Masvidal said. “That’s the only fight I come back for. Whether it’s the fucking guy selling cheap fucking whiskey or the fucking ‘Joe Blow,’ I don’t care, it’s the White House. I really don’t care. I’m very, very negotiable in this particular fight.”

“I’m Trump’s favorite fighter, that’s all you have to keep in mind,” Masvidal added. “Remember this at all times.”

Pressed for details on a possible return, Masvidal repeatedly responded by saying he couldn’t announce anything concrete at the moment, although that could change in the near future.

“I can’t deny or confirm any of this at the moment, but I hope I can do it soon,” Masvidal said. “I don’t know, I would like to say soon. Like, maybe 10 days, something like that, I should have more confirmation on that.”