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Five Jorge Masvidal Fights To Watch Before UFC 287
Before "Gamebred" Entertains His Home Crowd In Miami At UFC 287, Check Out Some Of His Best Work To Date
Although the middleweight title fight rematch between Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya headlines UFC 287, it’s impossible to argue the fact that many inside Miami’s Kaseya Center will scream loudest for their man in the co-main event: Jorge Masvidal.
“Gamebred” has repped the 305 throughout his illustrious career, and he finally gets to play host on pay-per-view when he takes on Gilbert Burns as both men jockey for the inside track at a welterweight title shot.
Order UFC 287: Pereira vs Adesanya 2
Before that all goes down, check out some of the best Masvidal bouts here:
Masvidal vs Cezar Ferreira (The Ultimate Fighter: America Top Team vs Blackzilians Finale)
At this point, it can be a little easy to forget Masvidal started his time at the UFC as a lightweight and even fought for the Strikeforce lightweight title in 2011. In 2015, he moved up 15 pounds and skillfully showed he was very comfortable at 170.
Preview Every Fight On UFC 287
Masvidal vs Donald Cerrone (UFC On Fox: Shevchenko vs Peña)
Before his legendary 2019 run, Masvidal’s second-round TKO win over Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone might have been the biggest statement victory of his career to that point. “Cowboy” came into the fight riding a four-fight winning streak and was fresh off a nasty head-kick knockout of Matt Brown. He seemed well on his way to a welterweight title shot, but Masvidal had other plans.
GREATEST HITS: Jorge Masvidal
Masvidal vs Darren Till (UFC Fight Night: Till vs Masvidal)
Masvidal was looked at as more or less a get-back fight for Darren Till, who was coming off his first career loss in his title shot against Tyron Woodley. “The Gorilla” expected to smash Masvidal and get himself back into the title picture. Masvidal, who hadn’t fought in nearly a year-and-a-half, came to fight week quietly minding his business, rocking a new haircut and flush beard, and left the O2 Arena silent with a stunning knockout. This was also the fight before the infamous “three-piece and a soda” incident with Leon Edwards.
Masvidal vs Ben Askren (UFC 239: Jones vs Santos)
Honestly, this never gets old. I know every promotional channel plays this highlight ad naseum in anticipation of another Masvidal fight, but it’s for good reason. It’s amazing, beautiful, violent, vicious, and depending on where your allegiances may fall: satisfying. Masvidal’s beef with Askren stole much of the show at UFC 239, and then the fight was over before it ever got started.
Masvidal vs Nate Diaz (UFC 244: Masvidal vs Diaz)
To this point, Masvidal’s fight against Nate Diaz stands as his career apex. He, along with Diaz, headlined UFC 244 in New York City for the “BMF” belt, and through three rounds of work, Masvidal looked phenomenal. The doctor stoppage feels a little anticlimactic, but don’t let that take away from Masvidal’s performance, followed by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson wrapping the belt around him. This was the illustrious cherry on top of a banner year for Masvidal.
UFC 287: Pereira vs Adesanya 2 took place live from Kayesa Center in Miami, Florida on April 8, 2023. See the Final Results, Official Scorecards and Who Won Bonuses - and relive the action on UFC Fight Pass!
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