UFC welterweight Jorge Masvidal couldn't believe Stephen Thompson signed on dotted line

It took two months for Jorge Masvidal vs. Stephen Thompson to become a reality, and almost until it was announced, Masvidal had his doubts.

“It’s no diss to Thompson, but this has happened previous to the (Donald Cerrone) bout – it happened like four times where I had a signed bout agreement with a certain fighter, and that fight didn’t materialize,” Masvidal told MMAjunkie Radio. “So I don’t believe it until I’m in the cage.”

Masvidal (32-12 MMA, 9-5 UFC) and Thompson(13-2-1 MMA, 8-2-1 UFC) agreed to fight two months ago, even plugging the fight onstage during a UFC Q&A prior to UFC Fight Night 111.

But now, they’ll meet at UFC 217, which takes place Nov. 4 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The bout is likely to serve on the event’s pay-per-view main card after prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass.

For both fighters, it’s a chance to get back in the title hunt. Masvidal suffered a split-call loss to Demian Maia at UFC 211, while Thompson twice fell short against champ Tyron Woodley.

“I wasn’t 100 percent myself that day,” Masvidal said of his setback. “I was 100 percent injury-free, but just in certain movements I did, I could have done them better. That’s the only thing I’m regretting.

“We’re going to have a rematch, me and Maia, one way or the other.”

Masvidal likes the karate-inflected style Thompson brings to the octagon and thinks they could put on an exciting fight. But the truth is, he’s game to fight any opponent if the money is right.

If someone offered him the right dollar amount to face Floyd Mayweather, no problem. He thinks he’d certainly do better than Conor McGregor.

“I think so. I’d be able to box-box. I might not have the greatest power in the world, but I can box, like hit and hit. That’s something I can do very well. I could definitely go 12 (rounds) with Mayweather.”

Back in the real world, however, he’s more concerned with going three rounds against Thompson – less if all goes well in the octagon. Now that the fight is public, he can stop worrying and start getting ready.

For more on UFC 217, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

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