Jorge Masvidal Training for Boxing, MMA Fights; Eyes Gaethje, Covington as Opponents

Former UFC star Jorge Masvidal retired less than a year ago, but he's already gearing up for his return to fighting.

Masvidal told ESPN's Marc Raimondi that he is training for a boxing match later this year and plans to compete in MMA as well. He named reigning UFC BMF champion Justin Gaethje and longtime rival Colby Covington as opponents he's interested in facing in the Octagon.

"All I could tell you is I'm getting ready for some type of combat and it's gonna be in the boxing realm," Masvidal told Raimondi. "I don't know this or that or who it's going to be."

Masvidal announced his retirement in April after losing to Gilbert Burns at UFC 287. Raimondi noted that he has been teasing a boxing match against Nate Diaz on social media recently. The two of them fought for the inaugural, symbolic BMF title in 2019, with Masvidal earning a TKO victory due to a cut suffered by Diaz.

The BMF title was put on the line for the second time when Gaethje faced Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC 291 in July. Gaethje won by second-round KO via a head kick. He will defend his title against former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway at UFC 300 on April 13.

"I think he's a f--king great fighter, but I also think I'd whup his motherf--king a--," Masvidal said of Gaethje. "I don't know why. Something about his style. And I like his style because he comes to fight. He's not coming to f--king score points. He's coming to fight and end a motherf--ker."

Masvidal already lost to Covington in the main event of UFC 272 in 2022, but that didn't resolve their differences. Masvidal was arrested after allegedly attacking Covington outside a Miami Beach restaurant a few weeks after their fight. He accepted a plea deal last November and was sentenced to time served.

"[I'd fight him] in the UFC or f--king in the parking lot of KFC, I don't f--king know," Masvidal said. "But it's going to f--king happen, brother. That's all I know."

Since retiring, Masvidal has become a promoter. His Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA promotion will be holding an event in Orlando on Saturday that will be headlined by a heavyweight title fight between former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos and former UFC veteran Alan Belcher.