Jorge Masvidal wants back in the Octagon, and he says the UFC is picking up the phone. The former BMF champion told Home of Fight that he’s been in talks with the promotion and “things are looking good,” adding that “there might be some news sooner than later.”
Masvidal is 41 now, and it’s been three years since his last MMA fight. He was clear that he doesn’t need the work.
“Thank the lord that I had a good enough career that I don’t have to fight, but I do wanna fight,” Masvidal said. “I wanna have the right opportunity. I wanna be in great shape and make sure it’s the right event, and I’ll take part in it.”
He also waved off the obvious cynical read. “It’s definitely not about money,” he said, before explaining that a return could add to his legacy if he can find relevant names who are still active.
As for whether the itch is real: “I love it, I always wanna get back in there, I train often,” Masvidal said, calling fighting “the most satisfying thing I could do.” He compared it to the highest bungee jump he’s ever done, the best skydive, the biggest wave he’s ridden. Guys who are faking retirement regret don’t usually reach for three extreme sports metaphors in one breath.
How he got here
The road back runs through a strange detour. In 2023, Masvidal asked the UFC for permission to box outside the promotion, and the UFC said yes, handing him a list of opponents he was cleared to face. That led to a 2024 boxing match with Nate Diaz, which ended with the promoter shortchanging both men on their contracted purses, according to MMA Mania.
Since then, Masvidal has drifted back into the UFC orbit. He co-hosts Deep Waters, the official CBS Sports UFC podcast, and he was on stage for a Q&A ahead of the UFC 322 ceremonial weigh-in at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on November 14, 2025.
Who’s left
The name most recently tied to Masvidal is Leon Edwards. The two got into a brawl back in 2019, and that grudge has never been settled inside a cage. MMA Mania also floated Conor McGregor as an age-appropriate matchup, though there’s no indication either fight is on the table.
That outlet raised a fair concern, too: the UFC has a habit of feeding former stars to up-and-comers rather than booking them into fights that make sense for where they are in their careers. If that’s the kind of offer Masvidal is getting, nobody should blame him for sitting tight.
The take: Masvidal saying “looking good” is a lot more interesting than a cryptic emoji, and I’ll give him credit for answering straight about wanting to fight. But a 41-year-old who’s been out three years has exactly one fight that matters, and it’s Edwards. That backstage scrap is seven years old now. If the UFC wants Masvidal back, book the grudge, not a hungry prospect with a highlight reel to build.
