Jorge Masvidal signs new lucrative UFC deal ahead of Colby Covington clash

Jorge Masvidal has signed a new multi-fight deal with the UFC.

Terms have not been disclosed, but Masvidal's manager Malki Kawa revealed the agreement will make Masvidal one of the promotion's top earners.

The 37-year-old American's new contract includes his main event grudge match against Colby Covington at UFC 272 on March 5.

Speaking to ESPN, Kawa said: "His contract pays him like a champion and then some.

"And the length of time will be that he will finish his career in the UFC."

And according to his long-term manager Kawa, who also represents Tyron Woodley, the welterweight contender will be one of the top three highest paid fighters on the UFC roster as a result.

A statement from Kawa's talent agency First Round Management read: “After months of negotiations with Hunter Campbell, we finally finished a contract that will ensure Jorge Masvidal will finish his career in the UFC.

“His compensation in this contract was a massive commitment from the UFC, which allows Jorge to continue to be in the biggest fights possible.”

Jorge Masvidal has inked a new multi-fight deal with the UFC

Fan favourite Masvidal reportedly took home a disclosed purse of $800,000 (£605,000) for his last fight against Kamaru Usman at UFC 261.

But it is understood his new guaranteed purses will be considerably larger than what he was earning on his previous deal.

The father-of-three also thanked UFC president Dana White and UFC CBO Hunter Campbell for reaching an agreement with First Round Management on social media.

Masvidal wrote on Instagram: "Thank you UFC, Dana White, Hunter Campbell and my team First Round Management Malki Kawa and Abraham Kawa for making sure my kids will never go hungry again."

Covington and Masvidal, 34 and 37 respectively, spent many years training together at American Top Team in Florida until Covington left for MMA Masters in 2020.

MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 01: Anthony "Showtime" Pettis, Jason White and Jorge Masvidal attend "Genesis" The First Ever NFT Minting And Landmark Sports Event Hosted By Quavo From Migos, Paige Vanzant, Mike Chandler & Eric Apple hosted by Bitcoin Latinum And TapStats at Mr Jones on December 01, 2021 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for Bitcoin Latinum & TAPSTATS)

The bookmakers have made Covington a huge odds-on favourite for their much-anticipated grudge clash.

But Masvidal said he doesn't care about the bookies as he plans to give Covington an 'a** whooping' for everything he has said about his personal life.

During UFC 272 media day, he said: “I’ve never quit on a session, right?

“Like, when me and him go, I’ve never quit, no matter how much - if it was a wrestling session, no punches involved, and he just beat me up wrestling, I never quit.

"He’s quit when we’re going strikes, and from body blows and stuff like that. He’s gotten upset, taken his gloves off, walked out of the cage.

"He’s had to have the coaches talk to him and say, ‘Hey man, it’s just training. Relax. You’re getting a little bit too heated. Just get back in there. It’s all good.’

"I’ve never done that. I’ll take my a** whooping like a man and I’ll give my a** whooping like a man.

“He can be an alright hammer. That, he could do. He can never play the nail role.

"And as soon as things don’t start to go his way, man, he quickly unfolds.

"It’s a snowball effect. We’ve seen him. You’ll see the facial expressions he makes when things ain’t going his way.

"When Warlley Alves wasn’t giving into him and put him in a little guillotine, before he could even sink it in - tapped. It’s just the nature of the beast. He’s a good hammer, but never a nail.”