Jorge Masvidal

Jorge Masvidal (born November 12, 1984) is an American professional boxer[6] and former professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Welterweight and Lightweight divisions. Masvidal competed professionally for 20 years from 2003 until 2023, having fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Bellator, Strikeforce, Shark Fights, and World Victory Road.[7] He holds the record for the fastest knockout in UFC history at five seconds, and won the symbolic UFC "BMF" Championship belt.[8]

Jorge Masvidal
Born (1984-11-12) November 12, 1984 (age 39)
Miami, Florida, U.S.
NicknameGamebred
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb)
DivisionWelterweight
Lightweight
Reach74 in (188 cm)[1]
StyleBoxing
Fighting out ofMiami, Florida, U.S.
TeamYoung Tigers[3]
American Top Team (2007–2023)[4]
Rankwhite belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu[5]
Years active2003–2023 (MMA)
2005, 2024–present (boxing)
Professional boxing record
Total1
Wins1
Kickboxing record
Total1
Wins1
Mixed martial arts record
Total52
Wins35
By knockout16
By submission2
By decision17
Losses17
By knockout2
By submission2
By decision13
Other information
Boxing record from BoxRec
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Early life

Masvidal was born and raised in Miami, to a Cuban father and Peruvian mother. According to Masvidal, his father left Cuba in a self-made raft when he was young, ending up in the Virgin Islands.[9] Masvidal was often involved in street fighting from a young age. There are videos on YouTube of his fights defeating Kimbo Slice's protégé "Ray".[10] Masvidal was first interested in wrestling in high school, but was not eligible because of his grades. He then began training in karate and mixed martial arts.[11]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Masvidal won his mixed martial arts debut by knockout on May 24, 2003, at HOOKnSHOOT: Absolute Fighting Championships 3.[12] He fought in the main event of the Absolute Fighting Championships XII event held on April 30, against current UFC competitor and The Ultimate Fighter 5 contestant Joe Lauzon. Masvidal won via technical knockout in the second round.[13]

Masvidal garnered a 3–0 record in the now-defunct BodogFIGHT promotion, including decision victories over Keith Wisniewski, Steve Berger, and a head-kick knockout of PRIDE Fighting Championships and UFC veteran Yves Edwards.

Bellator

Masvidal was signed by Bellator and entered their lightweight tournament in April 2009.[14] Masvidal won his first fight against Nick Agallar at Bellator 1 via TKO in the first round.[15] However, he was defeated in the semifinals by Toby Imada at Bellator 5, who won via inverted triangle choke submission in the third round.[16] This upset loss was acknowledged as Submission of the Year by several prominent MMA media outlets, like Sherdog, MMA Fighting and World MMA Awards.[17][18][19]

Masvidal faced and defeated Eric Reynolds at Bellator 12 in a 160 lb. catchweight bout via rear-naked choke submission.[20] He was rumored to be fighting again[citation needed] but was released by the organization.

Post-Bellator

Masvidal moved up to the welterweight division to fight Paul Daley at Shark Fights 13 in Amarillo, Texas in September 2010.[21] The bout was later made a catchweight of 171.75 lbs. after Daley failed to make weight, simultaneously forfeiting 10 percent of his show purse to Masvidal.[22] Daley defeated Masvidal via unanimous decision.[23] After this performance, Masvidal signed with Strikeforce.[24]

Strikeforce

Masvidal returned to Strikeforce in early 2011, facing Billy Evangelista at Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson.[25] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[26]

Masvidal then fought former Elite XC Lightweight Champion K. J. Noons[27] in a number one contender's bout. Despite knocking Noons down and almost finishing him in the first round, Masvidal went on to win via unanimous decision.[28]

Masvidal faced Gilbert Melendez for the Strikeforce Lightweight Championship at Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal on December 17, 2011, at the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, CA.[29] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[30]

Following the championship bout, Masvidal fought Justin Wilcox at Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy on July 14, 2012.[31] He won the fight via split decision (29–28, 28–29, and 30–27).[32][33]

Masvidal was expected to face Bobby Green on November 3, 2012, at Strikeforce: Cormier vs. Mir, but the bout was canceled along with the event itself.[34][35]

Replacing injured Gilbert Melendez, Masvidal was expected to face Pat Healy at Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine.[36] However, he in turn had to pull out due to a back injury and was replaced by Kurt Holobaugh.[37]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

2013

Following the dissolution of Strikeforce in January 2013, Masvidal was brought over to the UFC. He made his debut against Tim Means on April 20, 2013, at UFC on Fox 7.[38] Masvidal was successful in his debut, winning the fight via unanimous decision.[39]

For his second bout with the promotion, Masvidal made a quick return to the Octagon as he replaced Reza Madadi in a fight against Michael Chiesa on July 27, 2013, at UFC on Fox 8.[40] Despite being dropped in the first round by punches, Masvidal took control in the second round and won via submission.[41]

For his third UFC bout, Masvidal faced Rustam Khabilov on November 6, 2013, at UFC: Fight for the Troops 3.[42] He lost the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision. Despite the loss, the bout earned Masvidal his first Fight of the Night bonus award.[43]

2014

Masvidal fought longtime veteran Pat Healy at UFC on Fox 11.[44] He won the fight via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 29–28).[45]

Masvidal faced Daron Cruickshank on July 26, 2014, at UFC on Fox 12.[46] After being dropped by a punch in the first round, Masvidal recovered and won the fight via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, and 29–27).[47]

A bout with Bobby Green, first scheduled under the Strikeforce banner in 2012 before being scrapped, was expected to take place on September 27, 2014, at UFC 178.[48] However, on August 14, the UFC announced that Masvidal would instead face James Krause.[49] After knocking Krause down in the second round, Masvidal won the fight via unanimous decision (30–27, 29–28, 30–27).[50]

2015

Masvidal was expected to face Norman Parke on January 18, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 59.[51] However, Masvidal pulled out of the bout citing an injury and was replaced by Gleison Tibau.[52]

Masvidal was briefly linked to a bout with Bobby Green on April 4, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 63.[53] However, shortly after the fight was announced by the UFC, Green pulled out of the bout citing an injury and was replaced by Benson Henderson.[54] In turn, Henderson was removed from the bout to serve as event headliner at UFC Fight Night 60.[55] Masvidal eventually faced Al Iaquinta at the event.[56] He lost the bout in a closely contested split decision.[57] 13 of 15 media outlets scored the bout in favor of Masvidal.[58]

Masvidal faced Cezar Ferreira in a welterweight bout on July 12, 2015, at The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale.[59] He won the fight via knockout in the first round, also earning a Performance of the Night bonus.[60][61]

Masvidal was expected to face Dong Hyun Kim on November 28, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 79.[62] However, on November 14, it was announced that Masvidal would instead face Benson Henderson at the event after his scheduled opponent Thiago Alves pulled out of their fight.[63] Masvidal lost the back-and-forth fight via split decision.[64]

2016

Masvidal faced Lorenz Larkin on May 29, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 88.[65] He lost the back-and-forth fight via split decision.[66]

Masvidal was expected to face Siyar Bahadurzada on July 30, 2016, at UFC 201.[67] However, Bahadurzada pulled out of the bout on July 12 citing an illness and was replaced by Ross Pearson.[68][69] After knocking Pearson down and almost finishing him in the second round, Masvidal won the fight via unanimous decision.[70]

Masvidal was briefly linked to a bout with Kelvin Gastelum on November 5, 2016, at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 3 Finale.[71] However, on September 14, Gastelum was removed in favor of a fight against former lightweight title challenger Donald Cerrone at UFC 205, one week later.[72] Subsequently, Masvidal was removed from the card entirely and instead faced Jake Ellenberger the following month at The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale.[73] He went on to defeat Ellenberger in the first round via TKO. It was ruled a TKO after Ellenberger's toe was caught in the fence and the referee called a stop to the action resulting in the end of the fight.[74]

2017

Masvidal faced Donald Cerrone on January 28, 2017, at UFC on Fox 23.[75] He dropped Cerrone and nearly finished the fight in the last seconds of the first round, and eventually won the fight via TKO in the second round after scoring another knockdown.[76] The win also earned Masvidal his second Performance of the Night bonus.[77]

Masvidal faced off against Demian Maia at UFC 211 on May 13, 2017.[78] Masvidal lost the fight via split decision.[79]

Masvidal faced Stephen Thompson on November 4, 2017, at UFC 217.[80] He lost the one-sided fight via unanimous decision.[81]

2019

After a 16–month layoff, Masvidal faced Darren Till on March 16, 2019, in the main event at UFC Fight Night 147.[82] Although dropped in the first round, he went on to win the fight via knockout in the second round.[83] The win also earned Masvidal his second Fight of the Night and third Performance of the Night bonus awards.[84]

Masvidal faced Ben Askren on July 6, 2019, at UFC 239.[85] Both fighters rushed in immediately with Masvidal catching Askren with a flying knee as he attempted a takedown, winning the fight via knockout 5 seconds into round one. The knockout was the fastest knockout in UFC history, breaking the record set by Duane Ludwig.[86] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award,[87] and it earned him the 2019 Knockout of the Year by multiple MMA media outlets.[88][89][90] Subsequently, Masvidal signed a new, eight-fight contract with the UFC.[91]

Masvidal faced Nate Diaz on November 2, 2019, in the main event at UFC 244.[92] In a unique situation, UFC President Dana White confirmed that the headlining bout was for a celebratory "Baddest Motherfucker" (‘BMF’) belt.[93] After dominating most of the fight, Masvidal won the fight via TKO due to the doctor stoppage between rounds three and four when the cageside physician determined a cut over Diaz's right eye rendered him unable to continue.[94] Although the decision was controversial among fight fans, Brian Suttere, a Mayo Clinic-affiliated physician, agreed with the decision.[95]

2020

On 5 July 2020, it was reported that Masvidal had stepped in on less than a week's notice to face Kamaru Usman for the UFC Welterweight Championship at UFC 251, replacing original challenger Gilbert Burns, who had tested positive for COVID-19 on 3 July 2020.[96] Prior to the fight, he signed a new, multi-fight contract with the UFC.[97] Masvidal lost the fight via unanimous judges' decision, scored 50–45, 50-45 and 49–46.[98]

2021

Masvidal faced Kamaru Usman in a rematch for the UFC Welterweight Championship on April 24, 2021, at UFC 261.[99] Masvidal lost the fight via knockout in round two, marking his first stoppage loss inside the UFC.[100]

Masvidal was scheduled to face Leon Edwards on December 11, 2021, at UFC 269.[101] However, Masvidal withdrew due to injury, and the bout was scrapped.[102][103]

2022

Masvidal faced Colby Covington on March 5, 2022, at UFC 272.[104] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[105] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[106]

Retirement

Masvidal faced Gilbert Burns on April 8, 2023, at UFC 287.[107] He lost the fight via unanimous decision and subsequently announced his retirement from competition during the post-fight interview.[108]

Boxing career

Masvidal vs. Diaz

On March 13, 2024, it was announced that Masvidal would face Nate Diaz on June 1, 2024 at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, California[109] in a 10-round boxing bout at light heavyweight.[110] On May 7, 2024 it was reported that the fight was rescheduled for July 6, 2024 at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA.[111][112][113]

Professional wrestling

All Elite Wrestling

Masvidal made his debut for All Elite Wrestling at AEW Grand Slam on September 24, 2021, alongside American Top Team, and attacked Chris Jericho and Jake Hager.[114]

Business interests

In 2020, Masvidal launched a mezcal brand, El Recuerdo de Oaxaca Joven, through a partnership with Recuerdo Mezcal.[115]

In April 2021, Masvidal announced he was launching a bare-knuckle MMA promotion, Gamebred Fighting Championship.[116] The promotion held its inaugural pay-per-view event on June 18, 2021, in Biloxi, Mississippi.[117]

In January 2022, Masvidal launched another MMA promotion, iKON FC, which would feature both UFC veterans and up-and-coming fighters.[118] The promotion's inaugural event aired on UFC Fight Pass on January 21, 2022.[119]

Legal issues

On March 21, 2022, Masvidal physically attacked UFC rival Colby Covington, whom he had been defeated by at UFC 272 a few weeks prior.[120] As Covington was leaving a restaurant, Masvidal reportedly ran up to Covington and punched him twice, fracturing one of Covington's teeth and causing an abrasion on his wrist. Masvidal was arrested two days after the incident and charged with aggravated battery resulting in great bodily harm and one count of criminal mischief. Masvidal surrendered to Miami Beach police and was detained at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on a $15,000 bond; he was later conditionally released.[121]

Masvidal pleaded not guilty to the charges on April 21, 2022.[122] At his arraignment on April 28, Masvidal was issued a stay away order and the aggravated battery charges were updated after Covington said he suffered a brain injury from the attack.[123] The hearings and trials were postponed thrice due to joint continuances until May 2023.[124][125][126]

On November 6, 2023, Masvidal pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor battery charge in a Miami-Dade County court, following a plea agreement that resulted in the dismissal of two felony charges stemming the altercation with Covington outside a Miami restaurant in March 2022. Masvidal received a sentence equivalent to time already served and was ordered to pay court costs. The resolution of this case concluded a legal chapter for Masvidal, who could have faced significant prison time and fines if convicted of the original felony charges.[127][128]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
52 matches35 wins17 losses
By knockout162
By submission22
By decision1713
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss35–17Gilbert BurnsDecision (unanimous)UFC 287April 8, 202335:00Miami, Florida, United States
Loss35–16Colby CovingtonDecision (unanimous)UFC 272March 5, 202255:00Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesFight of the Night.
Loss35–15Kamaru UsmanKO (punch)UFC 261April 24, 202121:02Jacksonville, Florida, United StatesFor the UFC Welterweight Championship.
Loss35–14Kamaru UsmanDecision (unanimous)UFC 251July 12, 202055:00Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesFor the UFC Welterweight Championship.
Win35–13Nate DiazTKO (doctor stoppage)UFC 244November 2, 201935:00New York City, New York, United StatesWon the symbolic "BMF" title.
Win34–13Ben AskrenKO (flying knee)UFC 239July 6, 201910:05Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesFastest knockout in UFC history. Performance of the Night. Performance of the Year.
Win33–13Darren TillKO (punches)UFC Fight Night: Till vs. MasvidalMarch 16, 201923:05London, EnglandPerformance of the Night. Fight of the Night.
Loss32–13Stephen ThompsonDecision (unanimous)UFC 217November 4, 201735:00New York City, New York, United States
Loss32–12Demian MaiaDecision (split)UFC 211May 13, 201735:00Dallas, Texas, United StatesUFC Welterweight title eliminator.
Win32–11Donald CerroneTKO (punches)UFC on Fox: Shevchenko vs. PeñaJanuary 28, 201721:00Denver, Colorado, United StatesPerformance of the Night.
Win31–11Jake EllenbergerTKO (punches)The Ultimate Fighter: Tournament of Champions FinaleDecember 3, 201614:05Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win30–11Ross PearsonDecision (unanimous)UFC 201July 30, 201635:00Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Loss29–11Lorenz LarkinDecision (split)UFC Fight Night: Almeida vs. GarbrandtMay 29, 201635:00Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss29–10Benson HendersonDecision (split)UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. MasvidalNovember 28, 201555:00Seoul, South Korea
Win29–9Cezar FerreiraKO (elbows and punches)The Ultimate Fighter: American Top Team vs. Blackzilians FinaleJuly 12, 201514:22Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesReturn to Welterweight. Performance of the Night.
Loss28–9Al IaquintaDecision (split)UFC Fight Night: Mendes vs. LamasApril 4, 201535:00Fairfax, Virginia, United States
Win28–8James KrauseDecision (unanimous)UFC 178September 27, 201435:00Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win27–8Daron CruickshankDecision (unanimous)UFC on Fox: Lawler vs. BrownJuly 26, 201435:00San Jose, California, United States
Win26–8Pat HealyDecision (unanimous)UFC on Fox: Werdum vs. BrowneApril 19, 201435:00Orlando, Florida, United States
Loss25–8Rustam KhabilovDecision (unanimous)UFC: Fight for the Troops 3November 6, 201335:00Fort Campbell, Kentucky, United StatesFight of the Night.
Win25–7Michael ChiesaSubmission (brabo choke)UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. MoragaJuly 27, 201324:59Seattle, Washington, United States
Win24–7Tim MeansDecision (unanimous)UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. MelendezApril 20, 201335:00San Jose, California, United States
Win23–7Justin WilcoxDecision (split)Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. KennedyJuly 14, 201235:00Portland, Oregon, United States
Loss22–7Gilbert MelendezDecision (unanimous)Strikeforce: Melendez vs. MasvidalDecember 17, 201155:00San Diego, California, United StatesFor the Strikeforce Lightweight Championship.
Win22–6K. J. NoonsDecision (unanimous)Strikeforce: Overeem vs. WerdumJune 18, 201135:00Dallas, Texas, United StatesStrikeforce Lightweight title eliminator.
Win21–6Billy EvangelistaDecision (unanimous)Strikeforce: Feijao vs. HendersonMarch 5, 201135:00Columbus, Ohio, United States
Loss20–6Paul DaleyDecision (unanimous)Shark Fights 13: Jardine vs PrangleySeptember 11, 201035:00Amarillo, Texas, United StatesWelterweight bout; Daley missed weight (172 lb).
Win20–5Naoyuki KotaniDecision (split)ASTRAApril 25, 201035:00Tokyo, Japan
Loss19–5Luis PalominoDecision (split)G-Force Fights 3April 2, 201035:00Miami, Florida, United States
Win19–4Satoru KitaokaKO (punches)World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 11November 7, 200923:03Tokyo, Japan
Win18–4Eric ReynoldsSubmission (rear-naked choke)Bellator 12June 19, 200933:33Hollywood, Florida, United StatesCatchweight (160 lb) bout.
Loss17–4Toby ImadaTechnical Submission (inverted triangle choke)Bellator 5May 1, 200933:22Dayton, Ohio, United StatesBellator Season One Lightweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win17–3Nick AgallarTKO (punches)Bellator 1April 3, 200911:19Hollywood, Florida, United StatesBellator Season One Lightweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Win16–3Tae Hyun BangDecision (unanimous)World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 6November 1, 200835:00Saitama, JapanSengoku Lightweight Grand Prix reserve bout.
Win15–3Ryan SchultzTKO (punches)World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 5September 28, 200811:57Tokyo, JapanSengoku Lightweight Grand Prix reserve bout.
Loss14–3Rodrigo DammTKO (punch)World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 3June 8, 200824:38Saitama, Japan
Win14–2Ryan HealyDecision (unanimous)Strikeforce: At The DomeFebruary 23, 200835:00Tacoma, Washington, United StatesCatchweight (160 lb) bout.
Win13–2Brant RoseTKO (punches)Crazy Horse FightsDecember 11, 200710:56Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Win12–2Matt LeeTKO (elbows and punches)Strikeforce: Playboy MansionSeptember 29, 200711:33Beverly Hills, California, United StatesCatchweight (160 lb) bout.
Win11–2Yves EdwardsKO (head kick)BodogFIGHT: Alvarez vs. LeeJuly 14, 200722:59Trenton, New Jersey, United StatesReturn to Lightweight.
Win10–2Steve BergerDecision (unanimous)BodogFIGHT: St. PetersburgDecember 15, 200635:00St. Petersburg, Russia
Win9–2Keith WisniewskiDecision (majority)BodogFIGHT: To the Brink of WarAugust 22, 200635:00San José, Costa Rica
Win8–2Nuri ShakirDecision (unanimous)AFC 17June 24, 200635:00Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United StatesWon the vacant AFC Welterweight Championship.
Win7–2David GardnerTKO (punches)AFC 15February 18, 200620:14Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United StatesReturn to Welterweight.
Loss6–2Paul RodriguezTechnical submission (rear-naked choke)AFC 13July 30, 200512:27Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Win6–1Joe LauzonTKO (punches)AFC 12April 30, 200523:57Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Loss5–1Raphael AssunçãoDecision (unanimous)Full Throttle 1April 21, 200535:00Duluth, Georgia, United States
Win5–0Justin WisniewskiDecision (majority)AFC 8May 1, 200425:00Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United StatesLightweight debut.
Win4–0Julian OrtegaDecision (unanimous)AFC 6December 3, 200325:00Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Win3–0Rolando DelgadoTKO (punches)AFC 5September 5, 200322:14Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Win2–0Brian GeraghtyDecision (unanimous)AFC 4July 19, 200325:00Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Win1–0Brandon BledsoeKO (punches)AFC 3May 24, 200313:55Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States

[140]

Professional boxing record

1 fight1 win0 losses
By decision10
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
1Win1–0Joseph BenjaminMD4Jun 28, 2005Radisson Mart Plaza Hotel, Miami, Florida, U.S.

Pay-per-view bouts

EventFightDateVenueCityPPV buys
UFC 244Masvidal vs DiazNovember 2, 2019Madison Square GardenNew York City, New York, U.SNot Disclosed[141]
UFC 251Usman vs. MasvidalJuly 12, 2020Flash ForumAbu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates1,300,000[142]
UFC 261Usman vs. Masvidal 2April 24, 2021VyStar Veterans Memorial ArenaJacksonville, Florida, U.S.700,000[143]
UFC 272Covington vs MasvidalMarch 5, 2022T-Mobile ArenaParadise, Nevada, U.SNot Disclosed[144]

See also

References

External links