Another huge welterweight division bout could be coming our way as Ben Askren may be stepping into the Octagon against Jorge Masvidal.
UFC President Dana White recently revealed that the promotion is working on putting the fight together.
“Masvidal’s ranked No. 5 right now, Edwards is No. 10. So we are working on something for Masvidal and Edwards, but not each other,” White said on UFC Unfiltered (via Nathan Zur of Sherdog). “We’re actually talking about Ben Askren vs. Masvidal right now.”
While White and the promotion is allegedly trying to put the fight together, it would appear that one participant may not want to step into the Octagon.
Askren, in a video statement on Twitter, claims that Masvidal is having cold feet when it comes to fighting him (via Drake Riggs of BJPenn.com):
“Here’s the deal, Dana came out and said this morning they’re looking to do me and Masvidal. I heard that. I said yes last week. It didn’t take me more than 10 seconds to say, ‘Of course, Jorge. Let’s do this. You think you’re a gangster. Well, now I’m starting to hear he’s getting cold feet, he doesn’t want to do it, he doesn’t want to fight because he’s scared. Jorge! Just tell the people. Are you scared? If you’re scared, I will move on to somebody else. If you’re not scared, June 8, Chicago. I’m free, you’re free, let’s do this. It’s really simple. The winner’s probably going to get a title shot, Jorge, so there’s quite a bit on the line and I think it would be in your best interest to stop being a chicken and just. Say. Yes.”
There is no word yet on when the bout could come together, as both fighters competed earlier this month.
A short time before this story went up, a bout between Askren and Masvidal was announced for UFC 239, which you can read about by clicking here.
