Jorge Masvidal enter his UFC debut with lots to prove
It’s been nine month’s since Jorge Masvidal last fought. The well-traveled Mixed Martial Artist defeated Justin Wilcox back in July of 2012 and was scheduled to fight at the final Strikeforce card in December before withdrawing from the bout due to injury. This Saturday Masvidal returns to action in the biggest fight of his career as he’ll be making his UFC debut on the UFC on FOX 7 preliminary card.
Masvidal will face a tough test in Tim Means for his Octagon debut but he is very anxious to get back into action this weekend. Jorge Masvidal was kind enough to talk with MMAValor prior to heading to San Jose and the American Top Team explains why he was out of action for nine months, what he thinks of his opponent and who he has some unfinished business with.
The long layoff:
Question: You have been out of action since July of last year due to a back injury. What happened to your back that forced you out of the bout with Pat Healy?
I hurt it during training and had a pinched nerve or something that made it difficult to even walk. The doctor kept me out for three weeks rehabbing it.
Question: Being out of action for that long plus making your UFC debut could be a tough obstacle for some fighters. Why will this not be an issue for you?
I’ve fought in a lot of big shows and I’ve been doing this for nine years now. I have to look at this like just another fight because I’m going in there with something to prove.
Fighting in the UFC:
Jorge Masvidal has 30 professional bouts and has fought the likes of Joe Lauzon, Yves Edwards, K.J. Noons and Gilbert Melendez to a 23-7 record. He’s fought all over the globe but the UFC had always eluded him; that is until now.
Question: You’ve fought for Bellator, Strikeforce and many other promotions but what does it mean for you to be fighting in the UFC?
The UFC is it. They are where every fighter really wants to be. My entire professional goal was to be in the UFC.
Question: When you make your UFC debut what is the biggest thing you feel you need to prove?
That I can stand up and beat any body in their UFC division. Personally, I want another crack at Melendez. Since I hurt my power hand in the first round with him I was only able to fight with one hand. I want everyone to see how damaging I can be against him at 100%. I want vindication!
His UFC on Fox 7 opponent Tim Means:
Tim Means (18-3-1) comes into the bout with Jorge Masvidal on a nine fight winning streak and is also coming off a long layoff. He’s 2-0 in the UFC and at last June’s UFC on FX event he defeated Justin Salas via first round knockout.
Question: Standing across from you on April 20th will be Tim Means, How do you feel you match up with him?
I think it is a great match up. He’s a tough guy with good striking and he’s on a really long win streak. He’s coming in on a high note and I respect his abilities as a fighter. I have to go in there and do what I do. Hit and not get hit.
When Jorge Masvidal enters the Octagon for the first time it will be a dream come true for the Cuban-American but this will not bring on content. He comes in the fight focused on the task at hand but with new dreams of a UFC title.
You can follow Jorge Masvidal on Facebook @jorgemasvidal or on Twitter @Gamebredfighter and let’s not forget, he’s also like to thank my management Team at ML Management, Tina Vidal-Smith; American Top Team; Paulino Hernandez my striking coach; and my sponsors, Affliction, Lexani, RBP, and MMA Owl.
Photo Credit: Tom Hill Photos
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My brain child is MMAValor, something I had wanted to do for a long time and finally it’s here. Been an MMA fan since TUF season one (play catch up all the time) and the obsession started to grow like a weed and as the sport grows so does the love for the sport. I’m a jack of all trades, a very organized person that rides an emotional roller coaster daily.Subscribe
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