Morning Report: Jorge Masvidal to Conor McGregor: ‘Don’t flirt with me. You either want it or you don’t’

There are few fighters who had a better 2019 than Jorge Masvidal (in fact, according to us, there was only one). Masvidal fought three times last year, scoring two knockouts and one . TKO of Nate Diaz to claim the one-off BMF title. Oh, and on top of that, one of those knockouts set the record for the fastest finish in UFC history. And with a run like that, Masvidal has set himself up for an even bigger 2020 with a plethora of options now available to him, chief among them, current UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman.

The welterweight champion recently defended his title against Masvidal’s teammate turned enemy Colby Covington, setting the table for a lucrative title fight between the two belt holders. Unfortunately for Masvidal, Usman has been open about potentially wanting to defend his title against Leon Edwards next, and has derisively responded “Who?” to questions about Masvidal. But Gamebred says he’s happy to reintroduce himself, given the opportunity.

“If it’s up to my doing, everybody is getting it,” Masvidal told Ariel Helwani recently. “Especially that owl dude. I’m going owl hunting. I want some owl soup. This dude he’s a little disrespectful with that ‘who?’ sh*t. You f*ckin’ know who. And if you don’t, when we get in that f*ckin’ ring, you’ll find out who I am, my brother. I will gladly introduce myself to you in the ring.”

However, Masvidal has more options than just Usman. The BMF title holder has also caught the attention of the sport’s biggest star, Conor McGregor, and should McGregor get past Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 later this month, a collision between the two fan favorites would likely do big business for the UFC, so Masvidal is also interested in that possibility. But Masvidal isn’t sure if McGregor is for real or not. As is McGregor’s way, he tends to call out everybody in the general weight range of him. But Masvidal says if Conor really wants that smoke, he’d be happy to oblige.

“I would want that fight because it’s a big money fight,” Masvidal said of facing McGregor. “It’s a dude that’s two-time division champion, he has some impressive records, and he comes to fight. So in that aspect, yes. We’re gonna f*ckin’ both sell out wherever we’re f*cking fighting at, and there’s gonna violence. But if the dude doesn’t want to fight, I’m not a bully. Go do your thing. If he doesn’t want this, I don’t give a f*ck them. You don’t want to fight, you don’t want to fight, but don’t flirt with me. You either want it, or you don’t. Leave me the f*ck alone if you don’t.”

Of course, Masvidal can only fight one man at a time, at least the way the rules are currently structured. But give his druthers, the BMF champion says he’d chose to defend his title against McGregor over Usman, because it’s a more lucrative and interesting fight for him. Masvidal has little beef with Usman and someone will always be the welterweight champion, but a bout with McGregor can vanish as quick as smoke in the wind.

“The Conor fight,” Masvidal said. “We’ll go get the money because the Conor fight is not going to be there. The ‘Who?’ is always going to be there. The owl, whatever they’re calling him these days. That fight is always going to be there. Somebody is always going to have that belt. So it’s not a big deal as far as those two go.”

Of course, McGregor himself also has a number of options available to him, including a potential lightweight title fight should he get past Donald Cerrone. But if that’s the case, and McGregor chooses not to pursue Masvidal time, “Gamebred” isn’t much concerned. Whoever he faces this year, the BMF champion says that 2019 was just a prelude to what’s in store for this year.

“2019 was a good year, but that f*cking year is over,” Masvidal said. “2020 is gonna be better. 2019 was just a preview for what I’m gonna do to people. If you want to see violence, tune the f*ck in.”

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Do it. Conor McGregor on Justin Gaethje: ‘He’s on the list, he has it coming to him’.

Judging. Keeping score: Did MMA judges get it right in 2019?

Eyes on. Top European prospects to watch in 2020.

Ambitious. ONE announces plans to hold 50 events in 2020, possible U.S., India debuts.

Star. Mark Wahlberg, Donald Cerrone star in ‘Spenser Confidential,’ thriller with MMA twist.

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UFC 246 promo.

Free fight.

Abdulmanap interview.

KSW knockouts of the year.

Conor-Usman.

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Anik & Florian. The fifth annual Anik & Florian podcast awards.

UFC Unfiltered. Interviews with Derrick Lewis and Ezekiel Mitchell.

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Masvidal looking huge.

Feeling good about himself.

UFC promo team breaking out the big guns.

Beef.

Mike Perry is beefing with MJW.

UFC machine not really bringing the heat for their biggest star.

Conversely, this fan art is excellent.

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Juan Archuleta (23-2) vs. Henry Corrales (17-4); Bellator 238, Jan. 25.

Raymond Daniels (1-1) vs. Jason King (8-5); Bellator 238, Jan. 25.

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Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.

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