The former Bellator and ONE Welterweight champion had this to say about his rival.
After racking up an 18-0 MMA record, Askren would meet an end to his undefeated streak when he fought and lost in a record breaking 3 seconds to Jorge Masvidal at UFC 239 in 2019. Askren fought once more vs. Demian Maia where he lost in the 3rd round by a rear-naked choke submission.
Askren announced his retirement a month after, he fought once more after where he lost in the 1st round of a pro boxing bout vs. Jake Paul in 2021.
Askren, who was asked the question on what would bring him out of retirement said Masvidal would be the one to do that since Askren wasn’t able to show his full set of skills due to the quick KO.
Askren did bash Masvidal for requesting a title shot against Leon Edwards after avoiding the newly-crowned UFC welterweight champion for the last three years and losing his last three fights in a row.
Edwards and Masvidal have a history dating back to 2019 when ‘Gamebred’ sucker-punched ‘Rocky’ with a ‘three-piece and a soda’ backstage at UFC London. The pair were expected to settle their differences in the Octagon last year, but Masvidal pulled out of the matchup due to injury.
Masvidal is 0-2 in title fights against Kamaru Usman but believes he deserves a third title shot against Edwards, which Askren thought was ridiculous.
It’s nearly impossible for these two to rematch, but in a world where anything can happen, it’s best to respond to this with never say never.
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