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These past few weeks, the MMA headlines have been dominated but issues of fighter pay in the UFC and chief among those stories has been Jorge Masvidal. Since stopping Nate Diaz in November, Masvidal has been the presumptive No. 1 contender for Kamaru Usman’s welterweight title, but a title fight never materialized. A few weeks ago, it was revealed that the reason was a pay dispute between Masvidal and the UFC. These disputes are not uncommon with the UFC but usually, the two sides come to an agreement.
Not this time.
Feeling slighted by the UFC, Masvidal requested his release from the UFC and even went on ESPN to decry the UFC’s “take it or leave it” approach to fighter negotiations. The UFC, in turn, opted to leave it, moving on from Masvidal and giving the next welterweight title shot to Gilbert Burns instead. But if the UFC thought this would bring Masvidal to heel, they thought wrong because it doesn’t sound like “Gamebred” is going to be backing down anytime soon.
Taking to Twitter on Thursday, Masvidal thanked all the fans who have supported him during his ongoing battle with the UFC, saying they motivated him to keep fighting this fight.
Thank you for the overwhelming amount of love that i have received for the stance i have taken with my employer. From the blue collar worker to the street hustlers to the rich kids and everything in between thank you so much for your words of encouragement and God bless
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) June 11, 2020
With all the craziness in the world for you to take the time to write me to keep moving forward with my cause motivates me even more #TheResurrection
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) June 11, 2020
Thank you for the overwhelming amount of love that I have received for the stance I have taken with my employer. From the blue collar worker to the street hustlers to the rich kids and everything in between thank you so much for your words of encouragement and God bless. With all the craziness in the world for you to take the time to write me to keep moving forward with my cause motivates me even more. #TheResurrection
This is likely unfortunate news for the UFC who, despite the issues with Masvidal, still seemed intent on finding other opportunities for him. Masvidal is one of the biggest stars in the UFC right now, having launched himself to worldwide acclaim with his record-breaking knockout of Ben Askren and then cementing his popularity by winning the BMF title against Nate Diaz. Even Dana White has specifically said that Masvidal “has options” right now but it appears the 2019 Fighter of the Year is going to go with the “sit out and wait” one.
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Mad. Marvin Vettori admits he ‘flipped’ during altercation with Karl Roberson, plans to ‘make him pay’ at UFC on ESPN 10
Abdulmanap. Ali Abdelaziz says Khabib Nurmagomedov’s father is ‘improving’.
VIDEO STEW
What the Heck, with Devin Clark, Alex Perez, Ian Heinisch, Roxanne Modafferi, and Gina Mazany.
Previewing Eye-Calvillo.
A history of the UFC and its money disputes with fighters.
How good was Dan Henderson?
LISTEN UP
UFC Unfiltered. Interviews with Jessica Eye and Cynthia Calvillo.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Damn.
Family first, see you soon son. pic.twitter.com/sql3RqsmK4
— Ray Borg (@tazmexufc) June 11, 2020
Respect.
God bless you @tazmexufc and your family
— Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili (@MerabDvalishvil) June 11, 2020
This was a journey.
Combate Americas has decided to allow @Gustavo11Lopez to move forward and fight in the UFC this Saturday night. We wish him the best of luck with the rest of his career
— Campbell McLaren (@campbellcombate) June 11, 2020
Thank you @campbellcombate if there anything I can do for @combateamericas I would love to help. You are all still family
— Gustavo Lopez ♋ (@Gustavo11Lopez) June 11, 2020
Khabib is ready.
Francis.
2013: 7 years ago we were freed by Spanish homeland security after spending 2 months in jail for illegally entering Europe by sea. This, after attempting for one year from Morocco. I had nothing by then but a dream and a faith of pursuing it.
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) June 11, 2020
Some people will always (1/3) pic.twitter.com/ogfyDT5ZNw
tell you that it's too late, that you can’t make it, that it's not meant for you, that you're not worth it, or that you can't succeed without them (while their lives aren't an exemple of success). Those voices are always around the corner to make you quit your dream (2/3) pic.twitter.com/844DwaaxbB
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) June 11, 2020
and maybe your destiny. It’s up to you and only you if you let them get to your mind, but you can also reject or ignore the negativities around you and make it in your own way. (3/3) #throwbackthursday pic.twitter.com/4aLC1jpINc
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) June 11, 2020
Wtf?
A little flute of some red champagne about 20 minutes before I walk out to fight would be LIT LOL , somebody might die ! Captain America, we should change the flags white stripes to Platinum ! EL CAPITAN PLATINO PAPI ! United States Of Yo Mamas House Boi ! #PlatLivesMatter
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) June 12, 2020
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Merab Dvalishvili (10-4) vs. Gustavo Lopez (11-4); UFC Fight Night, June 13.
Karol Rosa (12-3) vs. Vanessa Melo (10-7); UFC 251, July 11.
Molly McCann (10-2) vs. Taila Santos (15-1); UFC Fight Night, July 15.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Thanks for reading and see y’all on Monday.
EXIT POLL
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