Dana White has confirmed that a match-up between Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal is 'a fight that makes sense,' which seemingly puts a rematch between the latter and Nate Diaz on hold for the time being.
Following Covington’s victory over former champion Tyron Woodley in UFC Vegas 11, the American fighter has become the priority for UFC’s next marquee match-up.
After last night’s UFC 253, Dana White explained in the post-fight press conference that a Covington-Masvidal match-up is most definitely on the cards now.
“After the Colby fight (against Woodley), how do you not make that (Masvidal) fight?
“That’s a fight that makes sense. The Nate Diaz rematch is gonna be there no matter what happens.”
White also claimed he had no idea if any sort of communication had been initiated with Diaz about a potential fight against Masvidal.
Covington and Masvidal’s relationship took a turn for the worst after an altercation at American Top Team gym, as well as Masvidal claiming that Covington did not pay the two fighters’ former trainer Paulino Hernandez for a long period of time. This resulted in Masvidal cutting ties with his former roommate and training partner.
In February, Masvidal uploaded a YouTube video explaining his ‘beef’ with his fellow American fighter, claiming that: “From his first amateur fight, all the way to when he fought RDA for the interim belt, it was the first time in his career that he made money.
“He didn’t pay my coach. He stiffed him. So as soon as that happened, I was like, ‘no, f**k that guy.”
Given the situation, this seems like the ideal next venture for the UFC organisation.
White’s press conference has given fans the best indication that the fight will indeed happen soon, but a date or venue have yet to be confirmed.
Masvidal has not fought since losing to Kamaru Usman via unanimous decision at UFC 251 in July, while Covington’s last fight was just last week against Woodley.