Nov 2, 2019; New York, NY, USA; Jorge Masvidal reacts during his fight against Nate Diaz during UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden. Sarah Stier-USA TODAY Sports

Jorge Masvidal signs new contract before UFC 251 clash with Kamaru Usman

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 7/6/20

Roughly one month after Jorge Masvidal hit out at the UFC over his pay, he put pen to paper on a new multi-fight contract with the promotion ahead of his UFC 251 welterweight championship bout versus Kamaru Usman.

As ESPN's Marc Raimondi noted, Masvidal spoke with Ariel Helwani about his status after the 35-year-old replaced Gilbert Burns for the main event of the Fight Island debut card this Saturday. Burns reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus last week.

"I didn't get exactly what I wanted, but I got very, very close to it," Masvidal told Helwani on Sunday. "So, I'm taking the fight."

It's widely believed UFC boss Dana White had Usman scheduled to defend the welterweight strap versus Masvidal before the latter took to Twitter in June to complain about his wages.

pic.twitter.com/pPx0IccDKF
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) June 5, 2020

At the time, White responded: "Anybody that doesn't want to fight doesn't have to fight."

Masvidal accepting the Usman fight on six days' notice saves the show in Abu Dhabi that otherwise could've been derailed. The holder of the BMF belt called his shot regarding Saturday's showdown while speaking with Helwani.

"His body is grasping for air as I've got my hand raised over him," Masvidal forecasted. "I'm gonna baptize him, man, for the world to see. It's gonna be violent."

The two got into a shouting match at the Super Bowl radio row in February: