Last month, in the main event of the UFC’s most recent trip to Denver, ever-improving veteran Jorge Masvidal dazzled with a second round execution of Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone. With this knockout win – which very nearly occured in the first round – Masvidal burst into the welterweight top-10, and set himself up for riveting matchups with some of the best fighters in the world.
In the wake of this win, he’s done his part to set up some of these fights, floating the ideas of battles with Demian Maia, Nick Diaz, and of course, MMA megastar Conor McGregor.
On Thursday evening, Masvidal was asked by a fan about this prospective battle with McGregor, and whether or not he believes he could take the Irishman’s legendary left hand. Masvidal did not hesitate in his response, saying that instead of taking McGregor’s left hand, he’d take his head, and leave his arms to box Floyd Mayweather.
I'd take his head and leave his arms to "box" @FloydMayweather https://t.co/BrMlr1vM5N
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) February 10, 2017
Masvidal, of course, is referencing McGregor’s potential boxing mega fight with Floyd Mayweather, which seems to generate dozens of new headlines every day. While this possible showdown is currently the main talking point in combat sports, however, it is far from becoming a reality.
At the moment, McGregor is taking some time away from competition as he prepares to become a father. When we last saw him in action, he won the UFC lightweight title with a second-round walloping of Eddie Alvarez. Prior to this title-winning knockout, he engaged in two welterweight battles with Nate Diaz – losing the first and winning the second.
With his knockout of Cowboy, Masvidal moved onto a three-fight streak. In his most recent fight before this Denver win, he TKO’d Jake Ellenberger in a dominant display. Prior to that, he scored an impressive decision win over British veteran Ross Pearson.
How do you think a Jorge Masvidal vs. Conor McGregor fight would go? Sound off, PENN Nation!
This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 2/10/2017.