Former UFC Title Contender Calls The Recent Success of Jorge Masvidal Inspirational

Jorge Masvidal exploded into stardom after his 5 seconds knock out win against Ben Askren. To many, it may seem an overnight sensation, but it has been 16 years in the making. After 47 fights in his fighting career, Masvidal got the recognition that he quite fairly deserves.

Before coming into the Askren’s fight, Masvidal knocked out former welterweight title challenger Darren Till. It’s safe to say that he will be the number one contender for the title if he overcomes Nate Diaz at Madison Square Garend in UFC 244. However, things did not look so bright for Masvidal when he was on a two fight losing streak before the Till’s fight.

Jorge Masvidal lost to Stephen Thompson and Damian Maia before the Till’s fight. He lost both the fights via decision. However, after 2 massive knockout wins Masvidal is at the peak of his career. Talking about that, former title contender, Stephen Thompson said:

“Watching Masvidal and seeing what has been happening to him recently is kind of inspirational for me in my last fight at Madison Square garden. it’s kind of inspirational for that.”

Stephen Thompson fought for welterweight title twice against former champion, Tyron Woodley and lost both of the fights which were very close. In his last two fights, Thompson has lost to Anthony Pettis and Darren Till. After two consecutive losses, the Wonderboy seems far away from another title shot at the moment.

However, the landscape in MMA tends to change very easily. We have seen fighters turning things around with one or two big victories that can catapult them to the peak of popularity. Jorge Masvidal remains the ideal example of that.

Talking about what is ahead of him and how the surge in popularity for Masvidal after two huge wins inspires him, Thompson claimed that he for sure can bounce back from his last two losses:

“I lost my last two fights. So knowing and Seeing Masvidal lose and then come back after two wins and now he is one of the most popular guys in the UFC right now with two knockouts over Darren Till and Ben Askren. That could be me this year. That gives me confidence. Even though I have lost twice I can come back and be right where I was before. “

Stephen Thompson is going to fight Vicente Luque next in UFC 244, the same card in which Jorge Masvidal fights Nate Diaz in the main event.