Jorge Masvidal Says He’ll Fight in a Boxing Match in Early 2024

Jorge Masvidal may be hitting the run soon…

The 38-year-old Cuban-Peruvian American former UFC BMF champion and one of the biggest MMA stars of the past several years says he’ll fight in a boxing match “early next year.” No opponent has been decided yet.Jorge Masvidal“No names right now, but I can tell you it’s early next year and I can tell you somebody is going to get killed,” Masvidal said in an interview with ESPN on Thursday.

Masvidal retired from the UFC in April after falling to Gilbert Burns at UFC 287 in his hometown of Miami.

Since then, he has been focused on helping run three combat sports organizations he promotes, most prominently Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA. The next event for that promotion is Nov. 10, a heavyweight title main event between two UFC veterans — Roy Nelson and Alan Belcher.

The UFC still has Masvidal under contract, so it’s unclear what the arrangement would be with regard to him competing in boxing.

Masvidal took umbrage with the boxing event this month that featured Logan Paul vs. Dillon Danis and KSI vs. Tommy Fury. Masvidal said the show was a “disrespect to boxing.”

“Logan didn’t f—ing knock [Danis] dead,” Masvidal said. “I really wanted Logan to knock him dead. So I’m kind of mad at Logan. I hope he sends me my money back, you know? Not that I paid for it, but still.”

If and when he steps in the ring, Masvidal would be the latest former UFC star to cross over to boxing, a list that includes Anderson SilvaNate Diaz, Jose Aldo and Anthony Pettis. Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou will box Tyson Fury, the lineal heavyweight boxing champ, on Saturday.

Anderson Silva In Talks to Box Logan Paul

He’s not a boxer by trade, but Anderson Silva isn’t let him stop him from hitting the ring…

The 46-year-old Brazilain mixed martial artist, a former UFC Middleweight Champion who holds the record for the longest title reign in UFC history at 2,457 days, could next fight Logan Paul.

Anderson Silva

The UFC legend and the YouTube star are discussing a boxing match that would take place later this year, Paul’s manager, Jeff Levin, tells ESPN.

Paul, 26, competed in an exhibition boxing event with Hall of Fame fighter Floyd Mayweather in June, a Showtime pay-per-view special that was a tremendous commercial success.

The bout, which was an unsanctioned fight with no official winner, lasted the scheduled eight rounds.

“I’ll be putting on prizefights,” Paul said following the event when asked what was next. “I’m sure there’s a list of opponents on Twitter, people chirping, saying this, saying that. I’ll pick one, make ’em get f—in’ embarrassed.”

Paul’s weight limit for that meeting was 190 pounds; Mayweather’s was 160.

There’s no determination if a bout with Silva — assuming a deal is completed — would be a sanctioned boxing match or a novelty exhibition.

“We just haven’t got there yet,” Levin said.

Paul is 0-1 as a pro fighter, his loss coming via decision against fellow social media personality KSI in November 2019. Since then, Paul has pushed beyond the social media sphere with an appearance at WrestleMania 37 in April, followed by the exhibition with Mayweather.

His younger brother, Jake, is 3-0 as a professional fighter and is starting to gain some traction in the boxing world. The 24-year-old scored a first-round knockout of former UFC fighter Ben Askren in April. He’s set to face former UFC champion Tyron Woodley on August 29 in Cleveland, a hometown fight for Paul on Showtime PPV.

Silva scored an upset of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. last month in Guadalajara, Mexico. Chavez, a former middleweight boxing titleholder, is well past his best days, but considering Silva’s age and limited boxing experience (third pro fight), it was an impressive achievement.

“I love fighting and boxing is my dream for many, many years,” Silva said after the eight-round split-decision victory, a bout contested at 182 pounds. “I need to prove my respect for boxing.”

The Spider” made his pro boxing debut in 1998. More than seven years later, he competed in the boxing ring again, this time scoring a second-round KO in 2005. The Brazilian made his UFC debut the following year.

Cardi B’s “WAP” Collaboration with Megan Thee Stallion Heading to Top 10 Debut on U.K. Charts

Cardi B’s latest single is finding success across the pond…

The 27-year-old half-Dominican American rap superstar’s new collaboration with Megan Thee Stallion, “WAP” has bolted out the gate in the United Kingdom.

Cardi B & Megan Thee Stallion "WAP" Video

Joel Corry and MNEK’s “Head & Heart” leads the Official Chart First Look, based on preliminary sales and streaming data from the first 48 hours of the chart cycle. It’s an unchanged top five on the chart blast with Jawsh 685Jason Derulo’s “Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat),” Nathan Dawe featuring KSI’s “Lighter,” Harry Styles’ “Watermelon Sugar” and AJ TraceyMabel’s “West Ten”) filling up the top spots, respectively.

Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s new release comes in at No. 6 on the preliminary chart. 

If “WAP” maintains its altitude, it’ll give Cardi her fifth U.K. Top Ten and Megan her second.

The Official U.K. Singles and Albums Charts are published late Friday.