Jorge Masvidal Says UFC Return Is 'Close', Wants Leon Edwards

Jorge Masvidal says he is closing in on a UFC return and wants former welterweight champion Leon Edwards as the fight to bring him back.

Masvidal, 41, told MMA Junkie he has been in ongoing talks with the promotion about stepping back into the Octagon. "I've been talking to the UFC," Masvidal said. "Could be this year, 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. Nothing worth mentioning yet; waiting for the right names and stuff."

Masvidal made clear which name he wants most. "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," he said. "Leon is definitely somebody that I would like to get back in with and just close that chapter out."

Why Masvidal Wants Leon Edwards Specifically

The Masvidal-Edwards beef goes back to a backstage brawl in London in March 2019, when the two exchanged blows after sharing a UFC fight card. That incident has hung over both careers ever since, and Masvidal clearly still sees it as unfinished business worth coming out of retirement for.

Edwards, for his part, has stayed active. The former welterweight titleholder has gone three fights in a row, most recently facing Carlos Prates at UFC 322. Whether the UFC has any real interest in matching him with a returning Masvidal is a separate question from whether Masvidal wants it, and nothing on that front has been finalized.

Masvidal's Path Back to the Octagon

Masvidal retired from MMA after a loss at UFC 287 and started teasing a comeback last year. He was lined up for a boxing style return on a Most Valuable Promotions card that featured Ronda Rousey against Gina Carano, but the UFC blocked that plan by refusing to release him from his contract. Since leaving MMA competition, Masvidal did step back into combat sports for a boxing match against Nate Diaz, which he lost on the scorecards.

That history is worth remembering here. The UFC has shown it will enforce Masvidal's contract when it wants to, which suggests any comeback happens on the promotion's terms and timeline, not his. His comments about the "numbers" getting better hint at a straightforward pay negotiation rather than a done deal.

Betting Angle

There is no fight booked yet, so there is no line to talk about. But the shape of this story matters for anyone who tracks welterweight markets. A 41 year old Masvidal returning off one official MMA loss and a boxing defeat to Nate Diaz would likely open as a live underdog against almost any ranked UFC welterweight, and especially against a durable, high volume striker like Edwards. Bettors should treat any Masvidal fight as a farewell tour style booking first and a competitive litmus test second, at least until he shows something in the cage again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Jorge Masvidal returning to the UFC?

Jorge Masvidal says talks with the UFC are progressing and a return could happen later this year or in early the following year, though no fight has been finalized.

Who does Jorge Masvidal want to fight in his UFC return?

Jorge Masvidal has named former welterweight champion Leon Edwards as the fighter he most wants to face, citing their 2019 backstage brawl in London.

What was Jorge Masvidal's last fight?

Jorge Masvidal retired from MMA after a loss at UFC 287 and later fought a boxing match against Nate Diaz, which he lost on the scorecards.