Ariel Helwani not too long ago floated the concept of on-line character KSI (actual identify Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji) as the following potential opponent for Jorge Masvidal following his defeat to Nate Diaz of their boxing match.
This previous Saturday, Masvidal got here up quick on the judges’ scorecards in a rematch of their Octagon conflict from UFC 244 in November 2019. This time, the bout happened in an expert boxing ring, headlining a pay-per-view occasion on the Honda Heart in Anaheim, California.
After a showdown marked by intense, back-and-forth motion, two of the three judges awarded the victory to Diaz with scores of 98-92 and 97-93. The third choose, nevertheless, noticed it as a lifeless warmth, scoring the combat a 95-95 draw.
Following the loss, the previous BMF titleholder contended that he had achieved sufficient to safe the victory and claimed that the judges have been prejudiced in opposition to him. Though Masvidal immediately called for a rematch, Diaz promptly dismissed this request through the post-event press convention.
“Gamebred” has beforehand talked about that he has a three-fight contract with Fanmio, granting him the chance to pursue high-profile boxing matches. Contemplating Masvidal’s current ardour for the candy science, it appears extremely possible that he’ll search a swift return to the squared circle.
Whereas Helwani is probably not an official matchmaker, he has an intriguing contender in thoughts for Masvidal’s comeback combat…
Helwani Sees KSI As Prime Matchup For Masvidal’s Subsequent Boxing Bout
Throughout a current episode of The MMA Hour, Helwani explored potential opponents for Jorge Masvidal’s subsequent boxing match, in the end suggesting the potential for pitting YouTuber-turned-boxer KSI in opposition to the previous two-time UFC welterweight title challenger.
The Canadian fight sports activities journalist prompt {that a} combat with Masvidal can be considerably extra intriguing than the scheduled 1 vs. 2 matchup in opposition to Slim Albaher and MMA veteran Anthony Taylor.
“I’ll let you know what, with all due respect, I might a lot quite see Jorge in opposition to KSI than KSI on this, you recognize, no matter, [1 vs.2],” Helwani mentioned. “Really, Jorge versus KSI is absolutely attention-grabbing to me.”
Helwani additional famous that the bittersweet previous between Masvidal and KSI makes this matchup a extra logical and compelling alternative for each fighters.
“Bear in mind, that was a factor that sort of occurred a 12 months and a half in the past on the present, the place they prompt it and so they have been sort of trying into it. I’m fairly certain KSI is on the okay listing; you recognize, like, there’s this listing that the UFC gave Jorge that he’s allowed to take fights with X, Y, and Z.”
Final July, in a dialog with Masvidal, Helwani broached the notion of arranging a boxing match with KSI. Nonetheless, the 39-year-old Miami native swiftly dismissed any curiosity in squaring off in opposition to the British social media influencer.
Regardless of saying his retirement from MMA after a loss to Gilbert Burns at UFC 287 in April 2023, Masvidal recently disclosed that he is still under contract with the UFC.
The group has granted him particular permission to pursue boxing alternatives, and Masvidal has hinted at an inevitable return to the Octagon sooner or later.
