Thread Tools

Display Modes

**Rauno** · 09-13-2012, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Jorge Masvidal is dealing with numbers. Lots of numbers. And some of them are big ones for him.

The Strikeforce lightweight and recent title challenger is thinking about 1 vs. 3 vs. 4 or 5. He's thinking about 27. And he's thinking about 155, 170, 185 … and 200.

"Gamebred" last fought two months ago and he's itching to get back to work. But right now, he said, the prospects appear to be slim.

Masvidal (23-7 MMA, 5-1 SF) is coming off a split-decision win over Justin Wilcox in July at "Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy." But that's been his lone fight this year – hence the 1 he's thinking about. In 2010 and 2001, he had three fights a year. But what he really wants is four or five trips to the cage.

"For the longest time, I've been trying to get four to five fights a year," Masvidal on Wednesday told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio). "It's just I keep signing with companies and I'm catching the ship as it's sinking. Bodog, then I went to Sengoku, then I was stuck with Bellator when at the time they didn't have the contract and now Strikeforce. As far as my fights a year, I'd love to fight five times a year, but it's just not happening."

Masvidal said he's 100 percent healthy and ready to go again. In fact, he said – while eating at an Argentine steakhouse during the phone interview – that he's pushing 200 pounds. Bear in mind, his previous four fights have come at 155.

Strikeforce's next show is Sept. 29, and doesn't include Masvidal. After that, he's looking at Nov. 3 – but he hasn't been approached for it yet. He said if called soon, he could make 155 or his previous division, welterweight, in time for that show in Oklahoma City.

But until he hears from Strikeforce, he's pursuing fights outside the promotion, including Shooto in Japan, which he said he's "pretty sure" Strikeforce will agree to should something come up for him. He also said there was a flirtation with ONE FC, but he's hesitant to sign a multi-fight deal from any promotion not named "UFC."

Masvidal thinks about the number 27 because that's his age. He'll turn 28 in mid-November. "I'm never going to get to be 27 years old again in my life," he said, "and it's a shame I've only gotten to fight once this year for a major promotion. I'm in the prime of my (career)."

And, he said, with two daughters, fighting more than once a year becomes a critical part of taking care of his family.

"I've got two little girls and I've got to keep food on the table consistently," Masvidal said. "They're growing. They want shoes. The older one wants iPads and (stuff) like that. I've got to be making money. One fight a year doesn't cover it. Even if I was a monster at saving money, one fight a year wouldn't do it."

But when it comes to those big numbers – 155, 170, 185 and 200 – Masvidal said he's willing to take on just about all comers at lightweight, welterweight and middleweight, especially considering his weight right now is approaching two bills.

"I'm available at 155, I'm available at 170 and I'm currently available at 185 now," Masvidal said. "For any promotions trying to pick me up for a one-fight deal to keep me busy, just keep that in mind. (185) is only a 15-pound cut right now. I'm going to be a little pudgy (at 185), but still quick as hell, though."

But until that call comes, he'll just have numbers dancing around in his head.

MMAJunkie

I hope he either signs with the UFC or leaves Strikeforce.

**HitOrGetHit** · 09-13-2012, 08:23 AM

Wouldn't mind seeing him in the UFC. I don't think he would ever make a run at the title but he would have some good fights there.

Sent from my iPhone using VerticalSports