It’s a match made in heaven. If Jorge Masvidal and Jake Paul agree on a fight, you could witness explosive press conferences and heated exchanges before the fight. The two know how to sell a fight with their antics and prodigal skills on the mic. It’s a win-win situation for all. But it’s a fight you might never witness. Why? Well, you might have to blame ‘Problem Child’ for his problematic shenanigans.

Masvidal, 40, shared a close bond with Paul, 27, even training with him back in 2021. But the friendship has turned sour, and the two have been at each other’s throats for a while now. People have been talking about them settling their rivalry in the boxing ring for a long time. However, it’s not happening. The UFC has put a blanket ban on its fighters signing a contract with Paul, as the latter has antagonized Dana White and the UFC in the last couple of years.

Masvidal, at 35-17, discussed a potential match with Paul, at 11-1, in a conversation with Fight Hype. While he welcomed the fight, he also explained that the UFC CEO and Hunter Campbell, UFC matchmaker, wouldn’t allow him to pursue this fight. He said, “I’m still with the UFC. So, I have to get permission from them, and they don’t want to do business with Jake. They don’t like him, you know. He’s come out of multiple interviews disrespecting Dana, disrespecting Hunter, and the UFC. So, the UFC doesn’t give me permission to fight, you know.”

Interestingly, the Miami native had addressed the same issues in previous interviews, too. He laid down how the UFC hierarchy didn’t want Paul to benefit from fighting one of the UFC fighters after all the disrespect he had dished out at the promotion. Masvidal explained the same to Ariel Helwani earlier this year, when he admitted, “They [UFC] said, ‘We’re not going to let you make money with this guy’.”

White and Paul’s intense hatred is an open secret, and the two always have a word or two to say about each other. As a result, the UFC drew a hard line, and Masvidal couldn’t do anything but follow it. In such a scenario, the welterweight fighter is focusing on his return to Octagon and has already set his sights on some big names.

Jorge Masvidal: sights on Conor McGregor and other A-listers

Masvidal revealed to MMA Junkie that he was aiming for Conor McGregor. He declared, “I’d like for it to be Conor [McGregor]. Because I heard he also wants to fight on that same date.” In the likely case of the Irish fighter not coming on the board, he would prefer a fight with Leon Edwards.

The two also have a rivalry to settle inside the Octagon, as Masvidal had attacked him years ago backstage on a London card. In the conversation with Fight Hype, Masvidal also disclosed his next boxing fight hinged on the outcome of his next MMA fight, which was due in April next year. The fans could see him in action, both inside a steel cage and a boxing ring. But he might have to wait till he runs out of his UFC contract to land a fight with Paul.

What do you make of this hypothetical fight between Jake Paul and Jorge Masvidal? Do you think a fight between the two will happen soon? Let us know in the comments below.