Jorge Masvidal has recently addressed the swirling rumors surrounding his potential return to mixed martial arts (MMA), particularly in connection with the much-anticipated UFC event at the White House, set for June 14. This event has sparked considerable buzz, especially with the involvement of former two-division champion Conor McGregor, who has expressed a strong desire to feature on the fight card. Although UFC CEO Dana White dismissed the idea of a grudge match between McGregor and Michael Chandler, McGregor himself has stated that he is open to fighting anyone at the White House event.
This situation has led to a flurry of speculation online, with many fans expressing curiosity about a potential matchup between Masvidal and McGregor. During an interview with MMA Junkie, Masvidal was directly questioned about these rumors, but he chose to remain tight-lipped, suggesting that surprises might be on the horizon. "You never know, right?" Masvidal remarked. "Shit, give them what they want, not what they expect. I can say some big news. I have some fight news coming soon, and it’s very significant. I can’t confirm or deny what you just said."
He added, "You’ve got to just let the chips fall where they may, but definitely, some big news is headed towards the MMA community."
Masvidal, whose record stands at 35 wins and 17 losses, last stepped into the UFC octagon in 2023 during UFC 287 against Gilbert Burns, a fight which he lost, marking his fourth consecutive defeat. Following this string of losses, he announced his retirement from professional fighting. Nonetheless, he made a return to the ring in July 2024 for a boxing match against Nate Diaz, which ended in a majority decision loss. Besides that bout, the 41-year-old fighter has remained active in combat sports, taking on the role of promoter for various combat sports promotions, including the bare-knuckle organization Gamebred Fighting Championship.
Masvidal emphasized that he continues to train, although he refrained from disclosing whether this preparation is for a particular event. "It’s a combination of things," he explained. "I can’t—some of it is like Level 5-only access, so I can’t really say too much, but I am training for something big, I can say that."
One thing that Masvidal is certain about is that if he decides to compete in MMA again, it will only be for a fight in front of President Donald Trump. "I wouldn’t mind getting out there and fcking doing my thing at the White House," Masvidal stated. "That’s the only fight I would come back for. Whether it’s the guy selling cheap whiskey or ‘Joe Blow,’ I don’t care; it’s the White House. I really don’t give a fck. I’m very, very easy to negotiate for in this particular fight."
Masvidal further noted, "I’m Trump’s favorite fighter, that’s all you’ve got to keep in mind. Just remember that at all times." When pressed for more information regarding his possible return, Masvidal maintained that he couldn’t provide any concrete details just yet, although he hinted that this could change soon. "I can’t deny or confirm anything at the moment, but maybe, hopefully soon I can," Masvidal suggested. "I don’t know, I would want to say soon. Like, maybe in 10 days, something like that, I should have more confirmation on it."
But here's where it gets controversial: will Masvidal's ties with Trump influence his career trajectory in a way that transcends traditional sports narratives? What are your thoughts on fighters aligning themselves with political figures? Share your opinions in the comments below!
