What Jorge Masvidal wants from Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA fighters

On the subject of Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA, maybe it ought to come as no shock that Jorge Masvidal is closely concerned. In spite of everything, that’s his nickname and his likeness within the brand.

However signing fighters, planning occasions and making fights is much from a one-man job, stated Masvidal, whose position is “extra the recruiting aspect, matchmaking to an extent.” It’s a staff effort.

Take this weekend as an example, with former UFC champion Junior Dos Santos and UFC veteran Alan Belcher squaring off within the first Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA heavyweight title struggle that headlines Saturday’s occasion at Kia Middle in Orlando, Fla.

“Me and the staff put collectively this plan that Fabricio Werdum would face Junior Dos Santos, and Roy Nelson and Alan Belcher had been over right here, and the cream would simply rise to the highest, you recognize?” Masvidal instructed MMA Junkie Radio on Thursday. “We’d have our heavyweight championship with the 2 winners, and right here we’re.”

Masvidal, 39, acquired into the promotion aspect of the struggle sport again in 2021 whereas he was nonetheless an lively UFC fighter, working each MMA and boxing occasions. Masvidal retired final 12 months (although he’s itching to come back), which freed him as much as tackle extra accountability.

Masvidal stated he’s “not hands-on on each single element” concerning the promotion, however “on the matchups, I attempt to be as a lot as attainable.” One factor Masvidal stated he does in hopes of maximizing the joy of fights beneath his banner is examine.

“I wish to put the correct canines in there, so I watch movie of all the blokes which have been there, see how they act, how they take a shot, how they provide a shot, in the event that they acquired that canine in them,” Masvidal stated. “I don’t wish to convey people that, once they really feel that bone on bone, they’re gonna wish to hug it out. We attempt to match these guys very, very effectively – simply dog-on-dog motion.”

He added, “I need solely guys that f*cking wish to struggle. So after I see the blokes within the fitness center getting after it, they usually’re letting us know, ‘Look, man, I’m prepared to die by this shit,’ these are the blokes I wish to e-book.”