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Jorge Masvidal has been in the game a long time. A professional since 2003, Masvidal had made the walk to the cage (or ring) 49 times prior, but he wound up suffering his first true knockout loss courtesy of an absolute massive right hand from Kamaru Usman (WATCH IT!). Masvidal is famous for popping up immediately after hitting the floor — not this time.
While things heated up prior to the fight, since the loss, Masvidal has been nothing but complimentary towards Usman. Speaking with Ariel Helwani, Masvidal gave his thoughts on the punch that floored him.
“I look at it, and I’m like ‘Wow, perfect timing,’” Masvidal said (via MMAJunkie). “That misleading – I thought he was going in for a shot, and when I realized it wasn’t a shot, it was too late. I was throwing my check left hook, but it was already too late. I read the information wrong, so he sold it to me beautifully, and that’s why he got those results. In that moment right there, I am a fan because I love the sport so much, and it was just beautiful technique.”
Despite his two consecutive losses to Usman, Masvidal still has plans for the future. He’s going to take some time to recover, but “Gamebred” is eager to make it back to the cage, and he’s not ruling out a final run at the top.
There were definitely some bad moments and some good moments that came out of that fight,” Masvidal said. “I’m just ready for what’s next, you know? I’m 36 years old. I still feel good. I still can push myself in the gym and not be overwhelmed, even by the young guys, so why not give it another run, you know?”
Insomnia
Lessons were learned at UFC 261.
More importantly, here’s wishing Chris Weidman a speedy recover. The new few weeks are unlikely to be very much fun.
Sympathy for Weidman aside, funny photoshops are a staple of this column.
This is absolutely top-tier scrambling to prevent the back mount.
Former foes Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Karolina Kowalkiewicz are now training together!
Rafael Fiziev is really chasing a showdown with Kevin Lee.
The Francis Ngannou body shot challenge will never end.
Slips, rips, and KO clips
This is not a “technically perfect” heel hook by any means, but if the knee is getting torqued, that’s what matters!
ELBOW WAR!
Are body shots in ground and pound underutilized?
Random Land
The MMAMania Money Pool begins its next season on Saturday night. If you have $20, know a little bit about picking UFC fights, and want to check it out, click HERE! for further details.
Fresh, ripe mangos are the best fruit on the planet.
Midnight Music: I hope everyone reading is dancing into their Monday.
Outside of promoting my own fight career (which is at least mildly on topic), I try to limit personal posts to an acceptable minimum. I consider many directly in this community and a fair few readers outside it my friends, however, so here’s a life update for those who care:
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.