JORGE MASVIDAL is ready to finally settle the score with Leon Edwards – and will do so in the CAR PARK of a KFC if needed.

The two looked on course for a massive grudge match after a backstage brawl at UFC London in 2019.

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But their paths failed to cross and more recently Masvidal announced his retirement from MMA – despite still being contracted to the UFC.

Now, the American is eyeing a return to the octagon and has Edwards in his sights by offering to go behind enemy lines for the bout.

Masvidal, 39, told SunSport: “What’s up? Let’s do this motherf***er. What’s the hold up? You wanna do this or not? 

“In England, in his f***ing backyard, in the KFC parking lot, I don’t give a f*** where he wants to get served at the buffet. 

“But he’s getting f***ing dealt with.”

Masvidal walked out on the UFC after four straight losses and instead crossed over to boxing to rematch Nate Diaz, who he beat in MMA in 2019.

But Diaz, 39, won a controversial split-decision to leave Masvidal preferring a return to MMA opposed to boxing.

He said: “I think MMA. For a combo of things but the number one thing I miss MMA. I love it. It’s my favourite sport.”

Before Masvidal can think about fighting himself again he is using his Gamebred bareknuckle MMA promotion as inspiration to fire him up.

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS

The show is back on November 15 in Mississippi with former UFC pair Randy Costa, 30, and Brandon Davis, 34, headlining.

Masvidal said: “What’s next for me? November 15th sitting cageside watching the most violent motherf***ers in the world get after via no gloves. That’s what I’m doing.

“That’s the only thing I’m doing, man. I’m not worried about a fight because my big event is so close.

“We’ve been planning this for a good three months. We’ve been going in on it. So I don’t, I don’t really have another plan until November 15th.

“Then after that, I’ll start picking up phone calls in that department and scheduling my life out for my next fight.

“I love to make my decisions after the fight. So I’m all like pumped up.”

INSIDE WORLD OF BARE-KNUCKLE MMA

By Jack Figg

When Jorge Masvidal launched Gamebred Fighting Championship in 2021, he married together his two loves to produce sweet violence.

He introduced bare-knuckle MMA, where fighters compete without gloves on in the cage.

Masvidal says bare-knuckle MMA bouts have a brutal 80 per cent stoppage ratio.

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He told SunSport: “There’s more submissions, there’s more knockouts, there’s more cuts, it’s more violence. So it’s not everybody’s cup of tea.

“But for the right type of person that wants to see two trained killers going at it with no gloves and see what would happen in real life this is it right here.”

READ MORE ON THE BRUTAL WORLD OF BARE-KNUCKLE MMA

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Tom Aspinall is set to be a backup fighter at UFC 309, but he might also put in some work as a pitch man while he’s there.

When Jon Jones returns to defend his heavyweight title against fellow legend Stipe Miocic in the Nov. 16 main event at Madison Square Garden, Aspinall will be on hand to step in should either fighter be unable to make to the cage on fight night. Regardless of the result, Aspinall—the interim heavyweight champion—would like to face the winner, assuming that this doesn’t prove to be the final fight for both headliners.

Aspinall plans to do his part to convince either Jones or Miocic to put off their retirement plans and make the walk at least one more time.

“What’s the plan?” Aspinall said on his YouTube channel. “Turn up, do some media, cause a few scenes here and there, and try and make the winner stick around and fight me, hopefully.”

Since Jones’ most recent fight, a dominant win over Ciryl Gane in March 2023 to capture a vacant belt, Aspinall has claimed an interim title and successfully defended it once. Despite his success, the No. 1 heavyweight in MMA Fighting’s Global Rankings enters UFC 309 with no assurance he’ll get the chance to face the undisputed champion.

Aspinall is excited to see his potential opponents in action, at the very least. Having made his UFC debut in July 2020, Aspinall hasn’t had many opportunities to see Jones or Miocic from a cageside seat with the pair having fought a combined three times since then.

“Just see what happens, really,” Aspinall said. “I’m really interested how both guys look in the fight, that’s really interesting for me, up close. Especially up close because it’s a little bit different than on the TV. I want to go up close and see what these guys look like in live action, do you know what I mean?

“How are they moving? What are they doing? You can see little differences in real life than you can on the TV and I’m looking forward to that.”

Out. A bone infection in his foot has forced Belal Muhammad off of UFC 310.

Happy Trails. Former UFC featherweight champion Germaine de Randamie announced her retirement after 25 years of fighting.

Thanks. Derrick Lewis signed a new UFC deal, one that may have been boosted by PFL’s interest in him for a Francis Ngannou rematch.

Intervention. Brendan Schaub looks back at the moment Joe Rogan changed his life forever.

Still Beefing? Derrick Lewis had strong words for Daniel Cormier… even if it’s unclear exactly what the issue is.

Between the Links.

Derrick Lewis and Mike Heck.

Alexander Volkanovski in Abu Dhabi.

Just bleed, obviously.

Who wants some?

Ian Machado Garry, that’s who.

And maybe Kamaru Usman.

And definitely Joaquin Buckley.

I chuckled.

Real talk: Coyote -2000

Payton Talbott (9-0) vs. Raoni Barcelos (18-5); UFC 311, Jan. 18

The UFC is back in Canada for the first time since January, and in Edmonton for the first time since July 2019. Let’s hope for the country’s sake that it’s more like UFC 289 in Vancouver (all the Canadians won!) and less like UFC 297 (Jasmine Jasudavicius and Gillian Robertson delivered, all the Canadian men lost!).

There are NINE fighters representing Canada on Saturday. Surely, they’ll come out with a better than .500 record, right?

Right, eh?

If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @AlexanderKlee or @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let us know about it. Also, follow MMAFighting on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and like us on Facebook.

Carlos Sainz is adding a new role to his resume come the Las Vegas Grand Prix: party host. The Ferrari driver is set to throw his own glitzy bash for fans during the race weekend next month, affectionately named after him, called ‘Smooth Operator’. 

Fans will have the opportunity to celebrate Formula 1’s return to Sin City with the ‘Smooth Operator’ himself (he’s slated for a special appearance) at the 12-hour dance party November 22-23 at ALIBI Ultra Lounge in the ARIA Resort & Casino. Though, if you want to be “welcomed” by the Ferrari driver,  Sainz recommends keeping your phone and cameras in your pocket, after he shared with reporters Thursday that his post-Mexico celebrations at a club were a “bit annoying” with “15 cameras on you while just having a fun time.” 

Andrew Lanzino, who runs MGM Resorts’ citywide event strategy, said the entertainment giant partnered with Sainz in an effort to offer fans an experience “unlike any other race of the year.” He added, “We’re creating a variety of ways for [fans] to have the time of their lives.” 

Carlos Sainz will throw a party at the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix

Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images

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Aside from Sainz’s dance party — a first for drivers to actually host these types of affairs with the series — MGM Resorts’ 2024 programming includes the Shoey Bar at the Bellagio, inspired by Daniel Ricciardo. In its debut year, the bar was visited by the likes of Eva Longoria, Jeremy Renner and Mark Wahlberg, all of whom took part in the celebration popularized by the Australian. 

And although Ricciardo won’t be racing in Vegas, he will be well-represented in spirit as his Enchanté clothing brand is set to host a pop-up shop at The Cosmopolitan following the success of his event in Austin, Texas earlier this month. 

F1’s new global sponsor, LVMH, has also partnered with the casino giant to host a Dom Perignon Champagne Lounge in front of the Bellagio Fountains at Terrazza di Sogno. Elsewhere in the Bellagio, Ferrari will welcome fans into a pop-up boutique featuring luxury leather accessories, one-of-a-kind items and signed collectible pieces. 

As Manchester United supporters prepare to welcome a highly-rated and talented coach from outside of Europe’s ‘big five’ leagues who has analysts swooning, they may be worried that it all sounds a bit familiar.

But in Ruben Amorim, they can be certain that in one crucial aspect he won’t be anything like Erik ten Hag.

The defining complaint about the sacked Dutchman was that after two-and-a-bit seasons the football was still formless and the tactical direction indecipherable.

Amorim, who will leave Portuguese champions Sporting to move to Old Trafford next month, is nothing if not a diligent – and decisive – tactical thinker.

From a ruthless press to proactive possession football, from a daring high line to a complexly shape-shifting 3-4-3 formation, the hallmarks of Amorim’s football will be etched into muscle memory in detailed training sessions.

And there will be valid concerns. Most prominent will be how a Manchester United squad built in Ten Hag’s image will cope with the change to a back three and a tactical system entirely at odds with what came before. It won’t suit everyone.

With United posting a £113m net loss for 2023-24, a £15m compensation bill for sacking Ten Hag and paying at least £8m to trigger Amorim’s release clause, added to the £200m spent on summer transfers, the Portuguese is not likely to have much budget for January signings.

Here’s a look at the biggest winners and losers from Amorim’s appointment.

MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom goes in-depth to break down the biggest fights in the UFC. Today, he takes a closer look at the UFC Fight Night 246 main event between Brandon Moreno and Amir Albazi.

Brandon Moreno UFC Fight Night 246 preview

Staple info:

• Record: 21-8-2 MMA, 17-5 UFC
• Height: 5’7″ Age: 30 Weight: 125 lbs. Reach: 70″
• Last fight: Decision loss to Brandon Royval(Feb. 24, 2024)
• Camp: Team Moreno (Las Vegas/Mexico)
• Stance/striking style: Orthodox/kickboxing
• Risk management: Good

Supplemental info:
+ Former UFC flyweight champion
+ Regional MMA titles
+ Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt
+ Multiple grappling accolades
+ 5 KO victories
+ 11 submission wins
+ 8 first-round finishes
+ Consistent pace and pressure
+ Accurate left hook
^ Coming forward or off the counter
+ Hard leg and head kicks
^ Works well off of the lead side
+ Improved wrestling ability
+ Good transitional grappler
^ Solid scrambles and submissions

Amir Albazi UFC Fight Night 246 preview

Amir Albazi

Staple info:

• Record: 17-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC
• Height: 5’5″ Age: 31 Weight: 125 lbs. Reach: 68″
• Last fight: Decision win over Kai Kara-France (June 3, 2024)
• Camp: Fight Ready MMA (Arizona)
• Stance/striking style: Orthodox/kickboxing
• Risk management: Good

Supplemental info:
+ Regional MMA titles
+ Brazilian jiu-jitsu purple belt
+ Multiple grappling accolades
^ In and out of the gi
+ 5 KO victories
+ 9 submission wins
+ 9 first-round finishes
+ KO power
+ Solid sense of range
^ Good eyes in exchanges
+ Dangerous right hand
+ Hard leg kicks
+ Solid wrestling ability
+ Excellent transitional grappler
^ Superb back control

Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi point of interest: Flyweight fisticuffs

Jul 8, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Brandon Moreno (red gloves) fights Alexandre Pantoja (blue gloves) during UFC 290 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

The main event in Edmonton features a showdown between top-ranked flyweights, [autota]Brandon Moreno[/autotag] and Amir Albazi.

Although Albazi was a prospect who was initially hailed for his grappling accolades, the Iraq-born fighter has shown a natural aptitude for striking since stepping onto the UFC scene.

Albazi does well when it comes to keeping an active and educated lead hand, displaying a consistent feinting or prodding presence.

Offensively, this allows Albazi to connect punches and play off of prior work by hooking off of his jabs and so forth. Defensively, Albazi’s feinting presence helps draw out his opponent’s reactions which, in turn, can lead to some crucial counter opportunities.

Always dangerous to get too predictable with your head movement and counters. pic.twitter.com/iO7S5UaJWn

— Miguel Class (@MigClass) May 31, 2023

Albazi also appears to have excellent eyes in exchanges, which is something that surely contributes to his solid sense of range. I’ll be curious to see if Albazi looks to control leg kick traffic, but he, too, will need to be careful about the potential counters coming from Moreno’s way.

Moreno, who initially stepped onto the UFC scene as more of a grapple-first fighter, has since developed into a more complete and technical striking threat as he’s matured.

Still only 30 years of age, Moreno continues to display almost unshakable composure, win or lose, almost as if he’s determined to finish the fight stronger than his foe. But when you look beyond the brief, brash moments that allow his character to shine, you can see a more mature countering game at play.

Always a fan of the left hook (both coming forward and off the counter), Moreno does a much better job of variating both his timing and targets, often working them off of a jab. The theme of lead-side savvy travels fluently for the Mexican fighter in the way that Moreno attaches lead-leg kicks to his combinations when feeling in stride.

Moreno also has a knack for navigating extended exchanges, but I’m not sure how much he’ll want to do that given the potential level-changing counters that lay in wait.

Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi breakdown: Potential grappling threats

Aug 20, 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Amir Albazi (red gloves) fights Francisco Figueiredo (blue gloves) during UFC 278 at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

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Considering that grappling is a large part of Albazi’s game, do not be shocked if he is the first to engage in the grappling department.

As mentioned in the previous section, Albazi is a fighter who initially excelled in the grappling arts. A tenacious competitor, Albazi’s aggression shines through in transition – something he seems to be applying to his wrestling repertoire.

Even though Albazi has the athletic ability to shoot in the open, his more effective setups and takedowns seem to come against the fence or in the clinch. And since Albazi appears to have spent this last training camp at Fight Ready MMA, I suspect those takedown tools will only be sharper this Saturday.

Luckily for Moreno, the Mexican is far from a slouch in the grappling department.

Starting off his career as more of a jiu-jitsu fighter, Moreno smartly swam toward the wrestling side of things (from an offensive standpoint) after being afforded the chance to train stateside through the UFC’s former developmental program.

Although Moreno was still not beyond being taken down or scoring submissions off his back, he offered plenty of glimpses of improvement during his first run with the promotion.

Moreno has been much more aggressive on the feet during this second stint, but doesn’t seem to be ignoring the other parts of his game. As far as grappling and wrestling scrambles go, Moreno was able to come out on top of stanzas against some of the division’s best grapplers in Jussier Formiga and Askar Askarov (who he clearly beat, in my opinion).

But for as good as Moreno’s grappling is concerned, he may want to pick his spots wisely with a fighter like Albazi.

Albazi is an avid back-taker with fantastic controls from the rear mount. Whether Albazi’s opting to lock down opponents from safer rear-riding positions or utilizing crab rides to transition, the Iraqi-born fighter does a great job at staying behind his opponent’s knees and elbows whenever possible (a quiet key to look for in good grapplers).

Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi odds

The oddsmakers and the public favor the former champion, listing Moreno -172 and Albazi +134 via FanDuel.

Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi prediction, pick

Considering that Moreno is the more proven product (in general and over five rounds), it’s not a big shock to see the Mexican fighter favored in this spot. However, it’s hard to know exactly where either fighter is at this point in their career.

Outside of an insane slew of title fights since the pandemic, Moreno has also experienced multiple camp changes in said time. Whereas Albazi, who has had to overcome some recent health scares, has also shifted his training camp ahead of his contest.

The larger octagon and 25-minute time frame should favor Moreno on paper, but I worry that the Mexican fighter’s cage positioning puts him in prime operating space for Albazi.

Although Moreno is not beyond stepping on the gas and taking initiatives of his own, he traditionally likes to counter and can be pushed into playing between the fence and inner-black octagon lines.

Should Moreno allow Albazi to take the initiative early, then I suspect that Albazi can draw out the former champ’s hooks and get off takedown entries along the cage en route to banking some early rounds. And if Albazi shows the pacing improvements that typically come with the second swings at five-round affairs, then I believe we’ll be in for a competitive fight from start to finish.

Despite usually siding with the more proven products, I find myself fading my usual trends given how god-awful my picks have been this year. I wouldn’t mind being wrong as a fan of Moreno, but I’ll be semi-reluctantly siding with Albazi to edge out another decision by having the more effective grappling and landing the more eye-catching shots.

Prediction: Albazi by decision

Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi start time, where to watch

As the main event, Moreno and Albazi are expected to make their walks to the octagon at approximately 10:45 p.m. ET. The fight streams live on ESPN+.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 246.