Jorge Masvidal picks the best UFC fighter rival for the title besides Alex Pereira
Jorge Masvidal weighs in on the most fitting fighter for the title holderThe UFC’s first-ever belt champion has given his opinion on who truly embodies the title. Jorge Masvidal closed out a breakout year in 2019 by defeating Nate Diaz at UFC 244, and it was more than just another win.
Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images Jorge Masvidal weighs in on the most fitting fighter for the title holder The UFC’s first-ever belt champion has given his opinion on who truly embodies the title. Jorge Masvidal closed out a breakout year in 2019 by defeating Nate Diaz at UFC 244, and it was more than just another win. It came with the debut of the symbolic belt, created specifically for that fight.
Originally meant to be a one-off, the title made a comeback for Dustin Poirier’s rematch with Justin Gaethje in 2023 and has remained part of the landscape ever since. Charles Oliveira currently holds the belt, but Masvidal doesn’t see him as the division’s true standout. While there may not be an official challenger lined up yet for UFC 300’s newly crowned champ, Charles Oliveira, did suggest that his next opponent should be Islam Makhachev.
Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images Jorge Masvidal chooses Ilia Topuria as UFC’s top rival ahead of Alex Pereira Oliveira claimed the title by defeating Max Holloway at UFC 326 in March, becoming the fourth fighter to hold the belt. But not everyone was pleased with how that fight played out or how ‘Do Bronx’ took home the title. While Masvidal has backed Oliveira’s claim to the title, he still only just makes it into Gamebred’s top five.
Masvidal shared his selections during an episode of Paramount’s Deep Waters podcast, putting lightweight champion Ilia Topuria and former light heavyweight champ Alex Pereira at the top. “I got Ilia, No. 1,” Masvidal said.