Dana White: Jorge Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz 2 ‘in the works’ for the BMF title in January

Esther Lin, MMA Fighting A little over a year after the inaugural BMF title was won by Jorge Masvidal, he’s close to defending it for the first time against a familiar foe.
Following Tuesday night’s DWCS Season 4: Week 5 event at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Dana White spoke with the media backstage and was asked about a report from TMZ that the rematch between Masvidal and Nate Diaz was set to go down in January.
White confirmed a report from MMA Fighting on Tuesday that the fight is being discussed, but it’s not done as of yet.
“It’s being worked on,” White told reporters. “That fight is in the works.”
In their first meeting at UFC 244, Masvidal was in control for the majority of the fight before the doctor stopped the bout due to a Diaz cut. The main event at Madison Square Garden featured an appearance by Dwayne Johnson to wrap the title around Masvidal’s waist.
While the BMF title bout was supposedly a one-time thing, Masvidal wants to give Diaz another crack at the belt, according to White—who seemingly confirmed it would happen should everything fall into place.
“He wants to defend it against Diaz,” White explained. “They were the first two to fight for it. They were the guys that fought for it so he wants to put it up versus Nate, again.”
One fighter who wasn’t happy with the news was Leon Edwards, winner of eight straight at 170-pounds. Of course, “Rocky” was the recipient of the infamous “three piece and a soda” in March 2019 during a backstage altercation following Masvidal’s knockout win over Darren Till in London.
As far as White is concerned, Edwards can expect to have a fight offer sooner rather than later.
“He’s a guy that we’re absolutely gonna make a fight for,” White stated. Anything can happen with the guys in the top-five. Any of these guys can get a title shot. You never know this thing will play out.”
When Masvidal and Diaz—two of the sport’s most popular fighters—meet for the second time to kick off 2021, White was asked about whether or not a live gate could be a possibility for a fight of that magnitude.
“I’m not thinking about fans at all,” White said. “It’s September and we’ll see how the next three, four months play out.
“I have this funny feeling things are gonna change a lot after November.”


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