Jorge Masvidal has revealed he is in active negotiations with the UFC over a potential return, stating that the financial figures are getting closer and that an announcement could come later this year or early next. Masvidal expressed a desire to settle unfinished business with Leon Edwards and indicated a return at the T-Mobile Arena is the goal. Hamzat Chimaev weighed in on the situation with a dismissive comment directed at Masvidal.
Jorge Masvidal is edging closer to a UFC comeback, with the 41-year-old veteran revealing that contract negotiations are progressing and that a formal announcement could arrive before the end of this year or in early 2026.
Masvidal, who carries a 35-17 record and fights out of American Top Team, has made no secret of his preferred target: Leon Edwards. The Florida native said the financial terms are narrowing and that he wants to settle what he views as unfinished business with the Englishman. He also named the T-Mobile Arena as his desired venue for the return.
Standing five-foot-eleven with a 74-inch reach, Masvidal has built his reputation on aggressive, high-volume striking, averaging 4.05 significant strikes per minute across his career. He also brings a credible wrestling threat, averaging 1.38 takedown attempts per 15 minutes.
Edwards, ranked eighth in the welterweight division at 34 years old, presents a sharply contrasting profile. The Birmingham-born southpaw holds a 22-6 record and fights out of Team Renegade. At six-foot-two with a matching 74-inch reach, he carries a striking accuracy of 54 percent and averages 2.62 significant strikes per minute — numbers that reflect a more measured, precise approach than Masvidal's output-heavy style.
Chimaev also waded into the conversation with a dismissive comment aimed at Masvidal, adding an extra layer of noise around a welterweight division that continues to generate attention.
Why it matters
- A Masvidal-Edwards bout would carry genuine personal stakes, with both fighters having prior history in the division.
- Edwards currently sits at number eight in the welterweight rankings, meaning a marquee win could reshape the divisional picture.
- The stylistic contrast — Masvidal's volume striking against Edwards's accuracy and length — sets up a tactically intriguing contest.
- Chimaev's involvement, even verbally, hints at a welterweight landscape with multiple moving parts heading into the new year.
