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Ben Askren Predicts Jorge Masvidal Will Face Conor McGregor Next

Ben Askren Predicts Jorge Masvidal Will Face Conor McGregor Next

Gamebred vs McGregor would be a huge fight if he beats Kamaru Usman for the UFC welterweight title at UFC 251 on Saturday night.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Conor McGregor will challenge for a third UFC title if Jorge Masvidal beats Kamaru Usman at UFC 251, that's the opinion of Gamebred's former opponent Ben Askren.

Masvidal has stepped up at just six days notice to fight Usman for the welterweight title on Fight Island on Saturday night, for one of the most hotly anticipated fights in the UFC.

The 35-year-old is quickly becoming one of the biggest names in the promotion after a huge 2019 and a win against Usman would make him even bigger.

Askren, who lost to Masvidal last year in the quickest KO in the company's history, believes that a win would mean that the new champion would face McGregor next.

"The other thing is McGregor's got to move up and fight [Masvidal]. And that would be a gigantic fight," the former ONE champion told ESPN.

"McGregor obviously wants that third title, Usman would be a terrible match-up for McGregor in my opinion and that's why that fight was not made.

"It will be McGregor - Masvidal if Masvidal wins."

McGregor has retired, not for the first time, but Dana White, and others,believe that the Irishman will return should the right fight present itself.

Having fought at welterweight in his most recent fight, beating Donald Cerrone back in January, it would make perfect sense fo the Notorious to challenge for the title in the future.

Usman's wrestling style might not be a good match-up for the former two weight UFC champion but against Masvidal it would be an excellent scrap.

Even Dana White confirmed he thinks Masvidal vs McGregor might be the biggest fight he could make right now.

McGregor beat Cerrone at 170lbs earlier this year. Image: PA Images
McGregor beat Cerrone at 170lbs earlier this year. Image: PA Images

Gilbert Burns was meant to face Usman in Abu Dhabi this weekend but the Brazilian tested positive for Covid-19, leaving the way for Masvidal to step in, but he is expected to get a title shot in the future.

Askren, though, believes that should the Nigerian Nightmare win then Gamebred will get a rematch, adding, "If this fight is competitive and Masvidal loses, Masvidal will get a rematch.

"With a full camp, as it will do good numbers, the UFC will want to do good numbers again and Gilbert Burns will not do good numbers.

"If it's very uncompetitive and boring, like Masvidal's not able to stuff any takedowns or he's not able to get up, then they're obviously not going to give him a rematch.

"But if it's competitive, and it's like 48-47 and there's really bright moments for Jorge then they will give him a rematch."

To see all of Masvidal's and McGregor's fights, subscribe to Fight Pass, where you'll get access to every UFC fight ever, plus behind the scenes exclusives and original content that can't be found anywhere else.

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Topics: Fight Island, Conor Mcgregor, Nate Diaz, Jorge Masvidal, Ben Askren, UFC News, MMA News, UFC 251, UFC, MMA, Kamaru Usman