There’s a lot riding on Jorge Masvidal’s UFC 287 showdown with 170-pound contender Gilbert Burns.
During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Masvidal (35-16) revealed that he has sources telling him that he — and not Colby Covington — is next in line for a shot at welterweight champion Leon Edwards if he’s victorious on April 8.
“I’m fighting Gilbert, then I’m fighting Leon,” Masvidal said. “I’m telling you that’s how it’s going to play out. I just got some insider information.”
UFC president Dana White is telling a different story, however.
“Colby gets the next shot, no matter what happens (between Masvidal and Burns),” he said following Edwards’ unanimous decision win over Kamaru Usman at UFC 286.
A potential title shot isn’t all that’s at stake for Masvidal in April’s bout against Burns. The 38-year-old is on a three-fight losing streak — one against Covington and two to Usman — and a fourth loss in a row could possibly force him to switch divisions or even be cut. Masvidal is 0-2 in title fights at welterweight, and he lost a split decision to Demian Maia in a welterweight title eliminator in 2017.
Should Masvidal get past Burns (21-5), who has just two losses in his last 10 fights, a potential title bout with Edwards would presumably draw high numbers on both pay-per-view and the live gates considering the real-life animosity between the two. (Masvidal attacked Edwards backstage after a UFC event in London in 2019.)
