Former UFC welterweight star Jorge Masvidal retired from MMA earlier this year in April following a loss to Gilbert Burns, but the American-Cuban fighter, known as ‘Gamebred,’ seems to be planning to enter the world of professional boxing. In an interview with ESPN, Masvidal revealed his intention to make his boxing debut in 2024.
Notably, Jorge Masvidal has yet to find a suitable opponent, but he appears determined to chart his next career path through the sport of boxing.
“No names right now, but I can tell you it’s early next year,” Masvidal told ESPN’s Marc Raimondi. “And I can tell you; someone’s going to get hurt.“
Masvidal’s intention to enter professional boxing appears to be a growing trend among MMA fighters. This trend may be driven by the potentially higher paychecks that professional boxing offers compared to MMA, especially within the UFC. Masvidal himself has emphasized the need for UFC fighters to receive better compensation.
“It’s an interesting situation with the UFC. Pay has increased in some areas, but not in others,” Masvidal said during an interview on Jake Paul’s show ‘BS w/ Jake Paul’.
“I’ve always advocated for more fighter pay throughout my career, and even more now that I’m retired. Fighters have a tough job. You shouldn’t be in the Top 10 and still have to work a second job. If you’re in the Top 15, you should be making enough money per fight to cover all your bills, whether you have sponsors or not.”
Masvidal is not the only UFC fighter to enter, or plan to enter, professional boxing. UFC legend Anderson Silva (3-2, 2 KOs) notably resumed his boxing career after his MMA contract expired in 2020. During his MMA career, Silva had competed in one professional boxing match in 1998 before fully focusing on MMA.
Cris Cyborg (1-0, 0 KO’s), another well-known fighter and former UFC champion, briefly ventured into the sport in 2022, participating in two professional boxing matches. Other former UFC stars, such as Vitor Belfort (2-0, 1 KO’s) and Anthony Pettis (1-0, 0 KO’s)―who noticeably defeated boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. in his boxing debut earlier this year, have also taken part in professional boxing matches.
The timing and Masvidal’s opponent are still being worked out, but his striking skills and experience in bare-knuckle boxing make him an intriguing addition to the sport. Masvidal has the potential to either make a significant impact or raise the profile of boxing in the eyes of the public, depending on his level of commitment to the sport.
Former MMA fighter Dillon Danis’ recent actions have somewhat soured the atmosphere surrounding the entry of former MMA fighters into boxing. However, Masvidal may uphold the sport’s reputation and become a respected boxer in his own right, regardless of whether he competes for regional, world, or no titles.
