Jorge Masvidal: Right now, fighting Gilbert Melendez is the only thing in my sights (Exclusive Interview)
The last time I talked to Jorge Masividal, he was making his Strikeforce return to face then undefeated Billy Evangelista in March on the Feijao vs. Henderson card. Jorge managed to beat Billy and most recently he defeated KJ Noons in his best career performance to date. The American Top Team product and former Miami street fighter is now a top contender for Gilbert Melendez’ lightweight championship. Lowkick.com had a chance to catch up with him to find out when he could get his chance at title glory, the changes in Strikeforce since the ZUFFA purchase, and we talk a bit about his street fighting past.
The last time we talked, you were going to fight Billy Evangelista which of course you won and you beat KJ Noons in dominating fashion. With Gilbert Melendez in your radar now, how long till we see you face him for his Lightweight title?
I don’t know but hopefully soon.
Against KJ Noons you were the underdog in that bout, but proved a lot of people wrong with a well-rounded performance. What was the winning game plan going up against KJ?
I was just bad stylistically for him. He was the aggressor and he left me with a lot of openings.
There have been many changes that have occurred since our last interview. With ZUFFA’s purchase of Strikeforce, have you noticed any differences in the way business is run around the promotion?
The UFC has started to put a lot of their procedures in place and things are really organized. Also, we are being provided with health insurance which is such a great benefit.
Many fans are aware that before you made a name for yourself in MMA, you made a name fighting in the streets of Miami. How did you find yourself in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts and what have you brought from your past experiences into the cage?
I wasn’t any good at school but I was good at fighting and when I realized I could make a career out of it that is what I did. My losses are the ones that guide me the most and I have tried to learn from those to ensure I don’t have to feel that again.
Now with a big chunk of the world’s top lightweights under the ZUFFA banner. If you are successful in a possible match with Gilbert Melendez, do you have ambitions of stepping into the UFC and facing their best?
Of course, I just want to stay busy and fight the best. As long as I’m busy fighting, I’m happy.
If you had a choice other than Gilbert, who would you want to fight?
Right now, fighting Gilbert is the only thing in my sights.
You’re only 26 years old and have had already 28 professional MMA bouts. If for some reason all the fights you’ve ever been in got lost and destroyed, but you could only find one which would it be and why?
My fight with Toby Imada, it still haunts me and I would love to fight that guy again.
This is a game I like to play with fighters that I interview. Let’s play a game of “word association”. I’m going to mention a name and in one word you tell me what comes to mind:
Miami Hustle – Good times
American Top Team – Hard work
Paul Daley – Robbed
Frankie Edgar – Jim Carrey
Kimbo Slice – Get paid
Astra – No comment
Thank you for your time Jorge and all the best in your career. Would you like to make any shouts to close?
Thanks for your continued support and interest in me. Thanks to all my fans, please touch base with my on Facebook and Twitter @Gamebredfighter. A big thanks to my sponsors: Xtreme Couture for outfitting me for this fight and on the streets, Training Mask for helping me prepare for this fight, Feltus, my management team at ML Management, Tina, ATT, SMSP, and all my coaches and training team.
