Jorge Masvidal Explains Why He Thought Ben Askren Matchup Was 'A Step Back'

Jorge Masvidal is loving life at the moment after knocking Ben Askren out cold in the fastest finish in Ultimate Fighting Championship at UFC 239 earlier this month.

According to “Gamebred,” he thought that accepting a fight against Askren was a step down in his quest to become a UFC champion, despite UFC matchmakers’ efforts to convince him otherwise. The 34-year-old appeared on the “Dan LeBatard Show” and said he originally hesitated to accept the fight against Askren believing he was on another level to the well-known undefeated wrestler at the time. (transcript via MMA Fighting)

“I told the UFC officials I’m so happy you gave me an easy fight but isn’t it a step back, shouldn’t I be getting better guys?” Masvidal said.

“And they were like ‘No, Ben’s the real deal,’ and I go ‘OK, we’ve got different opinions, whatever, we’ll shortly find out.’ I showed it. We’re not in the same league by any means.”

Masvidal claims that if the pair were to ever rematch, he can’t see Askren doing much to change the outcome of the fight.

“Every time me and that guy are going to fight, he’s going to have to close the distance. It’s going to be similar outcomes every time,” Masvidal said. “Not that it’s going to be a flying knee every time but I’ve got different weapons that I’ve got prepared for him. Embrace the shot and try to take me down, it’s not going to happen. You’ve got to be slightly more sophisticated.”

Masvidal is now awaiting a decision from UFC officials on whether he will be fighting for the title next against welterweight champion Kamaru Usman later this year.