Jorge Masvidal expecting to be #1 contender with win over Demian Maia

#5 ranked UFC welterweight Jorge Masvidal put together arguably one of the most impressive runs in 2016. After snapping a 2-fight skid by defeating Ross Pearson via unanimous decision. Following that, Masvidal picked up a controversial TKO win over Jake Ellenberger after ‘The Juggernaut’ got his big toe stuck in the cage wall. Most recently, Masvidal picked up a performance of the night bonus for his TKO win over Donald Cerrone, which snapped Cerrone’s four-fight win streak.

Now, with Masvidal’s upcoming #1 contender fight with Demian Maia next weekend quickly approaching, the top ranked welterweight is questioning if he will truly be crowned the welterweight #1 contender with a win over Maia.

He spoke to MMAJunkie:

“If this is not the No. 1 contender fight, you know that the politics and social media and who looks more like a boyband member have completely taken over,” Masvidal told MMAjunkie Radio. “Completely. Fighting will no longer be about who can fight more, but about who’s spending more time on social media.

“Not for nothing, but Maia is the No. 1 contender by far. I know it – six-fight winning streak, the way he’s handled guys. He’s the No. 1 contender. If God willing, I beat that dude, and I’m not the No. 1 contender, the sport’s taken a dramatic turn for the worse.”

“I’m going to put the world upside down,” Masvidal said. “It’s going to be an interesting year.”

Interestingly enough, UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley gave an interview this week where he stated that he was struggling to find an opponent for his ideal July welterweight title defense. With the winner of Demain Maia vs. Jorge Masvidal expected to be the #1 contender, barring any injuries or setbacks, the winner could very well find themselves competing for the UFC welterweight title this summer.

on 5/3/2017.