Dana White plays down Conor McGregor vs. Jorge Masvidal, says “Gamebred” is too big for him
UFC president Dana White did not seem too interested in the prospect of a Conor McGregor vs. Jorge Masvidal fight.
Masvidal’s stock has continually been rising ever since his flying knee knockout of Ben Askren at UFC 239 earlier this month. “Gamebred” would go on to call out McGregor afterward and was even made the betting favorite in a potential matchup.
His management team also claimed his next fight would either be for the welterweight title or with McGregor, provided any of them accept the offer.
Just confirmed @GamebredFighter next fight will be either for the championship (if Usman accepts) or @TheNotoriousMMA (if he accepts). Those are the only 2 fights he is taking. Source: his Mgr @Abraham_kawa
— malki kawa (@malkikawa) July 16, 2019
However, the one who really has the power to make it happen is White. The problem for him is, Masvidal is too big for McGregor, even if the latter has fought at welterweight twice before.
“Masvidal’s too big for Conor,” White told TMZ. “Yeah [McGregor fought at welterweight], but he shouldn’t have. I hated that he did. Not only did I hate that he did it once, I hate that he did it twice. He doesn’t belong in that weight.”
Instead, White believes Masvidal should remain focused on the welterweight division where there are plenty of fights for him to be made.
“There’s plenty of fights for him in his weight division without Conor,” White added. “He’s too big for Conor. Conor doesn’t belong at 170. He’s got the balls to fight at 170, but he doesn’t belong there.”
As it stands, Masvidal has a case for being the next challenger for Kamaru Usman, even over Colby Covington, who fights Robbie Lawler at UFC Newark in August.
Even then, there are other fights for him to be made as well such as a grudge fight with Leon Edwards for one. Regardless, more clarity is expected once Usman is fully fit and ready to return to the Octagon.