Jorge Masvidal says he is in talks to face Conor McGregor on the UFC card at The White House this summer, while the Irishman plans to renegotiate his contract in February
Jorge Masvidal has revealed he is in discussions to take on Conor McGregor at The White House this summer.
McGregor hasn’t stepped into the octagon since breaking his leg during his trilogy clash with Dustin Poirier in 2021, and his last victory came when he knocked out Donald Cerrone in under 40 seconds a year prior. He was scheduled to face Michael Chandler at Donald Trump’s residence in June, but Masvidal, who hasn’t tasted victory since 2019, has emerged as an alternative opponent.
“The White House card for me is everything. I want to be on this card very bad,” he told The Ariel Helwani Show. “There’s a lot of speculation going on. We’re talking to the UFC. Ali [Abdelaziz] is talking to Dana, and Ali is talking to Hunter [Campbell]. I don’t know what’s going to happen, I just leave it in God’s hands. I pray to God to get me on this card, it’s the White House.
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“My boy Ali is putting in the FaceTime. He’s basically neighbours with Dana and Hunter. He’s getting in their face. It’s not looking bad right now. I can’t say too much more, but it’s not looking bad right now. They’re talking, dialogue has been opened, there is communication, and we will keep that communication going. “
Masvidal’s remarks follow UFC chief Dana White’s dismissal of speculation that McGregor would take on Chandler. “No. I mean, that was a couple of years ago,” White stated. Meanwhile, McGregor has recently indicated he plans to renegotiate his UFC contract following the promotion’s $7.7billion broadcasting agreement with Paramount.
“I’m going into negotiations with the Ultimate Fighting Championship in February. I’m very interested to go. They’ve actually got a new deal with Paramount, it’s worth $7.7 billion. So the company has 4xed its profit, and my contract, essentially, is void right now,” McGregor explained.
“There’s no more PPV, whereas my contract was based on PPV sales. I’m the highest-generating PPV fighter of all time. The PPV system is done, I’m due a new contract. So, we’re going into negotiations in February, and I’m very interested to see how it goes. I’m warming up now for the White House fight.
“I’m going to be at it, for sure. I’m focusing on what I can control. I’m in the gym. I’m living in the gym, focusing on my health, focusing on my rest, listening to my coaches, following the game plan. External noise is non-existent for me. I don’t absorb it. You’re aware of it, but you don’t let it seep in. Keep the internal dialogue strong. I’m here, showing the kids, showing my team what it takes. You’ve got to live it. You’ve got to live and breathe it.”
