Masvidal Confirms UFC Comeback Talks
Jorge Masvidal has confirmed he is in discussions with the UFC about ending his retirement, signaling that a return to the Octagon could happen within the next year. The 41-year-old former welterweight title challenger, who has been away from MMA since April 2023, told MMA Junkie that negotiations are progressing.
"I've been talking to the UFC," Masvidal said. "It could be this year. It could be early next year. We've been talking for a little bit, and the numbers are getting closer and closer, and better and better. So there might be some big news coming soon."
He added: "Waiting for the right names and stuff, but once they give me the right name and the right number attached to that, you'll see your boy right back over here at the T-Mobile Arena (in Las Vegas)."
Masvidal, who announced his retirement at age 38 immediately after a unanimous decision loss to Gilbert Burns, has not fought in MMA since. He did compete once in boxing, losing to Nate Diaz—though outlets differ on the exact outcome, with some reporting a unanimous decision and others a majority decision with judges' scores of 95-95, 97-93, and 98-92.
A Long-Running Rivalry Resurfaces
Masvidal has explicitly named Leon Edwards as a potential opponent, citing their unfinished history. "Leon is definitely a prospect," Masvidal said. "Leon is definitely somebody who I would like to get back in with and close that chapter."
The rivalry dates back to March 2019, when, after Masvidal knocked out Darren Till at UFC London, Edwards heckled him during a backstage interview with Laura Sanko. Masvidal responded by throwing punches, famously calling it a "three-piece with a soda." The two were later scheduled to fight at UFC 269 in December 2021, but the bout was canceled due to Masvidal's injury.
Edwards, who went on to win the UFC Welterweight Championship from Kamaru Usman in August 2022 and defended it twice before losing to Belal Muhammad, is now coming off three straight defeats. He was submitted by Sean Brady in March 2025 and knocked out by Carlos Prates at UFC 322 in November. Edwards is one of only three British fighters to win an undisputed UFC title, along with Michael Bisping and Tom Aspinall.
Other Potential Opponents
While Masvidal has singled out Edwards, other names have been floated as potential comeback opponents. These include Jack Della Maddalena, Belal Muhammad, Kamaru Usman—a trilogy fight—as well as Daniel Rodriguez and Uros Medic.
Masvidal has also been linked to the UFC's June White House event and rumors of a fight against Conor McGregor, though UFC president Dana White dismissed those rumors as "goofy s—t."
A Promoter's Parallel Path
Masvidal's potential comeback comes alongside his growing role as a promoter. His bare-knuckle MMA promotion, Gamebred FC, recently signed a broadcast deal with DAZN, the platform that also backs Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing through 2031 and is home to BKFC, co-owned by Conor McGregor. The deal was announced during the Teofimo Lopez vs. Rolly Romero card, with events to air live on DAZN at no additional cost to subscribers.
Gamebred FC has four events scheduled before the end of 2026, including cards in Russia, the Dominican Republic, and Miami. The promotion is also staging heavyweight and lightweight World Grand Prix tournaments with $500,000 prize purses for each winner.