HOFFMAN ESTATES Ill. -- Jorge Masvidal has a very clear goal. He is looking for a fight that will place him in a position where he can challenge again for UFC's welterweight title.
Future plans for the UFC star are more complicated. Both Jake Paul and Logan Paul are under his wing. In the days leading up to Paul's boxing match with Tyron Woodley, Jake Paul and Masvidal had a heated exchange on social media and in interviews.
Masvidal said in an interview with ESPN Sunday night that he was interested in fighting Jake Paul or his older brother Logan.
Masvidal declared, "I'm going to beat up all of the Pauls," minutes after making an appearance at the All Elite Wrestling pay per view event "All Out." "If they put money into my pocket, that Logan Paul Dude, Jake Paul or whoever Paul Dudes -- if I have money, of course they'd let me break some Disney characters' heads. Since I was 7, I have been training men to fight me. It's a great honor to fight guys like the Pauls.
Masvidal chose Woodley to defeat Jake Paul in their boxing match on "The MMA Hour" last week. It wasn't surprising that this prediction was made. Woodley and Masvidal both represent American Top Team. They also have the same management company, First Round Management. They have been friends for over a decade. Masvidal's comment was not appreciated by Jake Paul. They were friends before Jake Paul's boxing match against Ben Askren. Masvidal once knocked Jake Paul out in five seconds.
"Who the f---'s this Paul kid?" Masvidal stated. Masvidal said, "He thinks that we are friends because he received some advice from me in the Ben Askren fight. Bro, get the f--- outta here. Bro, I'll slap anyone and everyone you like. I am a fighter. You're going to be offended."
Masvidal is still under contract to the MMA promotion. He doesn't believe it's impossible for him to move into boxing under Dana White, the UFC president. This is especially considering Jake Paul's verbal attacks on White and UFC brass.
Masvidal stated that UFC would need to sign off but nothing was impossible. Dana doesn't like these guys, and Dana knows that I'll go there and cause a lot of pain on those children. He might send the f---ing assassin."
Masvidal, 36 is coming off two consecutive losses to Kamaru Uman in UFC welterweight titles fights. According to Masvidal, he will be meeting with UFC executives in Las Vegas in the next two weeks to discuss what's next for him in Octagon. Masvidal, 35-15, said that he doesn’t care about his next opponent yet -- regardless of whether it’s Leon Edwards or Gilbert Burns. As long as the matchup benefits him in title picture.
Masvidal stated, "Ideal scenario -- I walk in the office and they say, 'This individual can bring you closer to the title that any other individual.' "And I say, "Give me that person." They offer it to me with a lot money behind it. These guys are all snarky. They are all pathetic. I'm ready to fight for the title. I will do whatever it takes to win the title, no matter who is involved, what threat or challenge. It doesn't matter what they throw at me, I'm up to it.
Masvidal indicated that he would be interested in a rematch between Nate Diaz and him in the future. He is keeping an eye on Nick Diaz, who will be fighting Robbie Lawler at UFC 266, on Sept. 25, in Las Vegas. Nick Diaz will fight for the first time since January 2015. The older brother, Nick Diaz, is a star and former Strikeforce welterweight champion as well as a former UFC title challenger.
"If Nick looks good, does his job well, why not me?" Masvidal stated. Masvidal said, "I would love to fight Nick. It's a great fight. This is a fight I've always wanted to see since I was at Strikeforce at just 155 [pounds] and he at 170. I thought, "Man, that's a man I'd like to fight." It was not because of his style. He is so open and honest. It'll be a blessing if I have to fight Nick."
The top priority right now isn’t the Pauls and the Diaz brothers. Masvidal is looking for an opponent to help him return to title challenger status. He said that Usman wants to be champion if he can climb the ladder again and set up a third fight.
Masvidal stated, "The title is all that's on me,"
