Exclusive: Jorge Masvidal can still get a title shot despite three losses, says Neil Magny
UFC welterweight contender Neil Magny isn't ruling out the possibility of Jorge Masvidal getting the next title shot at 170 lbs. Masvidal is on a three-fight skid which includes consecutive title losses against former welterweight champ Kamaru Usman.
However, rumors suggest that 'Gamebred' is being considered for yet another title shot against Leon Edwards if Usman isn't ready for the rubber matchup against 'Rocky' in March.
Magny seemingly won't be surprised if the next title shot is awarded to Masvidal, who already shares a legendary beef with Edwards. 'The Haitian Sensation' acknowledged that the world of combat sports, boxing included, is still majorly reliant on viewership. The 35-year-old told James Lynch in an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda MMA:
"At the end of the day, one of the biggest things about combat sports right now is the fact that it's a viewership sport. I mean, it shows with boxing and others sports, where if guys are able to sell pay-per-views and put on a good show, that's the fight to make. So right now, with all the speculation going around, whether Usman's going to fight in March or not, I can definitely see Masvidal swooping in and having a third title shot even though he's coming off three losses."
Watch Neil Magny's comments below (2:34):
Neil Magny is scheduled to face former title challenger Gilbert Burns at UFC 283 in Brazil on January 21.
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Neil Magny on the UFC betting fiasco involving James Krause
Former fighter turned coach James Krause recently came under the UFC's scanner due to suspicious betting line movement ahead of a bout that his fighter Darrick Minner went on to lose.
While details of the investigation remain scarce, Krause lost his cornering license, Minner was released and fighters associated with Krause or his gym were banned from competing in the UFC.
This came shortly after the UFC banned fighters, their teammates or anyone else with insider information from betting on fights. Neil Magny finds the ban justified to an extent, and professional athletes, in general, are not allowed to bet on themselves (e.g., NFL).
'The Haitian Sensation' further told Sportskeeda MMA:
"I think in the history of sports in general, you're never allowed to bet on yourself in particular. When it comes to betting on teammates or whatever... being a teammate, getting the insight where you're able to see how training camp went, you get to see injuries and other stuff, that kind of gives you some inside knowledge as [to] how that fight may play out. I feel like teammates are able to hone in and get an edge as far as gambling goes."
So now Ontario has banned all casinos and sportsbooks from accepting bets on UFC fights due to concerns over "betting integrity requirements."
It appears on the surface this is more fallout from the situation surrounding James Krause and the Darrick Minner fight.
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Magny last fought at UFC Fight Night 214 on November 5 against Daniel Rodriguez. The Brooklyn, New York native won the bout via submission, which earned him the Performance of the Night award.