Masvidal ‘let people down’ but vows to fight on
Jorge Masvidal said he “let a lot of people down” in his title defeat at UFC 251 in Abu Dhabi, but has vowed not quit the sport until he becomes champion.
The popular American, 35, was defeated comfortably by welterweight title-holder Kamaru Usman in the headline bout of the opener at Fight Island. Dominating throughout, the champion used his superior wrestling and conditioning to take the contest 50-45, 50-45, 49-46.
However, Masvidal was contesting his first world championship bout on only six days’ notice having agreed to the fight as replacement for Gilbert Burns, who withdrew after testing positive for Covid-19.
Masvidal had to cut 20 pounds just to make weight at the 11th hour. He conceded the weight cut was “tough”, but said: “I hate coming up short. I’m not going to sit here and make excuses. He was the better man tonight. There were some areas where I didn’t give him enough credit and there was some areas I felt with a better training camp I could definitely surpass him.
“I made a lot of mistakes. I tried to fight in spots where I didn’t think my gas tank was the greatest. Right when I would get loose he would clinch me up and take it right back into his world. So, I’m not going to take anything away from him. He won fair and square.
“I will do whatever it takes to get back in front of that man and get my hand raised. I just feel like I let a lot of people down.”
Masvidal, whose professional record now stands at 35-14, confirmed that he wants another attempt at becoming the first man in UFC to defeat Usman. The latter has won all 12 of his appearances, with an overall MMA record of 17-1.
Masvidal said he would first come to terms with the loss, then discuss his options going forward.
“Definitely will evaluate the next one,” he said. “I don’t know if I’ll be coming back at the end of the year or early next year. I’m going to sit down with my management and figure it out.
“But whoever it is next year I just want to come back and be in peak shape, have a sixpack when I’m out there and just be right.
“I just can’t wait. They’ll put an opponent in front of me and I’ll take care of business and I’m going to come back better than ever.
“I’m not going to disappear without this belt being wrapped around my waist. One way or another. It’s not my best performance tonight, but everyone gets to see the dog in me and that dog doesn’t shut up or roll over for nobody.
“He [Usman] said some things that weren’t necessary and I said some things that probably wasn’t the best. I think about the future generations, you don’t have to promote fights like that; I heard this card did great anyway. We’ll do it again.”