Can Jorge Masvidal become Welterweight champion?
Jorge Masvidal has had a bumper 2019 – No doubt.
His first victory of 2019 came way back in March where he starched Darren Till in front of a large partisan crowd at Wembley arena, silencing many critics of the Cuban american’s style and since that landmark moment his stock has only continued to grow. That incredible 5 second knockout (the fastest in UFC history) against Ben Askren was the moment that shot him into the UFC mainstream and made him a credible contender for the Welterweight strap in what is turning out to be one of the most entertaining and talent stacked weight classes in all of MMA. Nate Diaz was an odd choice for his next opponent but say what you want about Nate; he draws a crowd in and with Dana White creating the BMF title specifically for this match it suddenly took on more prestige than just two absolute killers beating on each other for 25 minutes. Sadly, a doctor’s stoppage ended the Diaz v Masvidal scrap but watching it live I had “Gamebred” by 2, possily 3 rounds. Thankfully I’m not paid to make those decisions and in the end, regardless of the protesting, from both camps I might add, Masvidal walked out of Madison Square Garden the new and only BMF champion.
No-one in the company and possibly MMA with maybe the exception of a certain Irishman have the swagger of Jorge Masvidal but his is a swagger all of his own. He is a genuine BMF, as willing to shake your hand as slap you in the face, an old school guy with respect ingrained in him and when he doesn’t like you, you know about it pretty quick. This is a man who gives as good as he gets and living his life in this way and with that mantra gives him this authentic mystique and almost legendary status of respect from the fans and in turn makes him a huge main event draw without question.
So, the question we here at easierMMA are asking is Can Jorge Masvidal win the Welterweight title?
My initial response has to be a reluctant no but to make an argument for Masvidal not being in with the likes of Usman and Covington is pretty difficult. However, this would be a pointless article without some controversy.. Right? Although his striking is extremely cultured and grooved and he showed that with the slick knockout of Darren Till, I think both Colby and Usman (undoubtedly numbers 1 and 2 in the WW division) have the edge over JM and I can’t see him beating either of these wrestling specialists if the fight gets into their domain. The irony of his devastating flying-knee KO victory over Ben Askren, as exciting and thoroughly entertaining as that was, it robbed his critics of the chance to see how he would fair against a true wrestling specialist and thus you get idiots like me questioning his Octagon credentials and genuine big match pedigree. He has fought top class wrestlers before in his career but I believe none of his previous opponents have been on the same level as the Champ and #1 contender. Colby has insane cardio which makes him a relentless force coming at you and the terrifying way he ragdolled UFC legend Robbie Lawler has cemented him at the top of that division and makes the UFC 245 match between Covington and the champ even more mouthwatering especially as Usman’s methodical approach is all about attrition and testing the cardio of his opponent.
However, if Jorge can unload some of that vicious “3 piece with the soda” and stand and bang with the two best wrestlers in the division then who knows what will happen. He’s had the year of his life and he will be more than ready when the UFC decides to feed one of their top 2 in the division to this out and out finisher that he has become, a genuine cult hero not just with the fans (check out Joe Rogan’s podcast) but with everyone associated with MMA. Here’s hoping he continues to ride that wave of momentum which is behind him currently and can capture some gold in his future and carry him to the legendary status of which he is almost at.
20/11/2019
easierMMA Fight blog 2019 