Conor McGregor has criticised "pigeon brain" Jorge Masvidal as their fiery UFC rivalry continued on social media.
The Irishman has not fought since breaking his leg during his defeat by Dustin Poirier last year, but has been subject to a fresh call-out from Masvidal at 170lb. 'Gamebred' came up short against bitter foe Colby Covington earlier this year but is now eyeing a return to title contention.
Masvidal this week protested his innocence after he was arrested following an alleged assault on Covington in a restaurant in Miami in March. “I come from a different place than many people and we walk differently in that place,” Masvidal told ESPN Deportes. “I am not going to let anyone disrespect my family. I can’t talk much because I’m being charged with three felonies. I can only say that I am innocent.”
His rival McGregor produced a swift response on social media, tweeting: "An absolute pigeon brain this guy is. Stupid beyond belief." Masvidal used to be friends with Covington before their joint rise in the welterweight division caused a rift. Masvidal now faces charges of aggravated battery and criminal mischief following the alleged incident and has pleaded not guilty in court.
McGregor could be next on the list to settle his rivalry with the 37-year-old after announcing his plans to make a switch to 170lbs following his weight gain. Masvidal initially opened the door to renewed fight talks with "jacked" McGregor following his recent defeat to Covington.
Any fight between the pair would likely represent one of the most lucrative in the promotion, with both fighters having huge pay-per-view draw. Masvidal is keen to stage a meeting but is uncertain his efforts will be reciprocated by McGregor. “He is false. He knows that I am a man who hits hard and that I come to kill. I do not come to hug in the cage,” Masvidal continued.
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“I am going to give everything inside me to kill him. I have a little size but he is still a little boy. I would love to fight at 170 pounds, but I don’t wait for anyone. If he wants to do it, I’ll break his face. If he doesn’t want to do it, let someone come next. There are options, but the first thing that matters is me – to be in the best condition of my life, to improve the fight. This year, I’ll guaranteed return. I don’t know the date yet. I think that with two fights, I can be in contention for the title or in a title contender fight.”
The pair have traded verbal jabs for several years with Masvidal's agent Malik Kawa claiming that McGregor has rejected offers to fight Masvidal in the past. It looks highly unlikely that the pair will meet in the octagon with UFC president Dana White not keen on the fight due to the significant size difference.
