Dave Lovell isn’t ready for Leon Edwards to grant Jorge Masvidal a title shot.
Masvidal (35-16 MMA, 12-9 UFC) and Lovell’s star pupil Edwards (20-3 MMA, 12-2 UFC) have been on a collision since 2019, but now that Edwards is UFC welterweight champion and Masvidal on a three-fight skid, Lovell said Masvidal has to wait his turn.
After Edwards dethroned Kamaru Usman with a stunning head-kick knockout to claim the welterweight title at UFC 278, Masvidal called him out. Although Edwards told MMA Fighting prior to beating Usman that he’d be willing to defend his title against Masvidal, Lovell would like to give “Gamebred” a taste of his own medicine.
“Leon has been climbing the hill for a long time, as you know,” Lovell told MMA Junkie. “And he’s tried to reach the top and each time he does, he’s been knocked back, knocked back, knocked back. But now he’s climbed the top. Now he can be the one at the top of the mountain knocking back people. Well, you can stand at the back of the line, Mr. Masvidal, for starters.”
He continued, “Mr. Masvidal, you little rat Judas, your time will come also, but we’re picking on our terms. The same way you told Leon wait at the back of the line, well you wait now, mate, because Leon is at the top of the hill.”
Edwards and Masvidal’s rivalry stems from the infamous backstage incident after both men emerged victorious at UFC London in 2019. The pair chirped at each other backstage, which led to Masvidal attacking him with a combination – the infamous “three piece and a soda.” They almost settled their rivalry when they were booked for a grudge match at UFC 269 last December, but Masvidal withdrew due to injury.
Masvidal, who allegedly assaulted Colby Covington outside a Miami Beach restaurant just weeks after he lost to him in March at UFC 272, was arrested and charged with aggravated battery and criminal mischief. His pre-trial hearing is slated for Aug. 31.
