Dana White’s hunt for Jorge Masvidal’s return fight may be coming to an end! After stepping away from the Octagon in 2023, ‘Gamebred’ ventured into the world of boxing and built his own fight promotion. But the call of the cage was too much to resist, as the Miami native is seemingly ready to lace up his MMA gloves once again.

So, who will get the honor of sharing the Octagon with the UFC superstar when he returns? Dana White has no shortage of options with the welterweight division currently stacked with big names. But one rising contender has already thrown his name into the mix and he’s not just gunning for Masivdal. He wants to prove he belongs up there with the best in the promotion!

Jorge Masvidal and Dana White’s problem solved as Oban Elliott is ready to throw down with top welterweights

Oban Elliott made his way to the UFC through an appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series back in 2023. Since arriving on the grandest stage of them all, ‘The Welsh Gangster’ has maintained a spotless 3-0 tear. But with his last fight taking place at UFC 309, when will the fans get to see him in action again?

That’s the question Ariel Helwani posed during Elliot’s appearance on ‘The Ariel Helwani Show’, inquiring, “If it was up to you, book the scenario, book the matchup for us. Who are you fighting in your next fight if it was up to you? If you had the pencil, as they say.”

Elliott isn’t just looking for any fight, he wants the biggest one possible as he proclaimed, “Um, well there’s two I guess. I think, Masvidal, International Fight Week, come on that would be out of this world.”

A win over a veteran like Jorge Masvidal would be a massive step up in name value for Elliott, but the Welshman is clearly ready for the challenge. However, he’s not putting all his chips on ‘Gamebred.’ If Masvidal isn’t the one to answer the call, Elliott has a backup plan. What is it? He further shared, “But I think someone like Luque, he’s just at the bottom of the top 15. I think someone like Luque would be good.”

The Brazilian is currently ranked no. 14 in the welterweight division. And despite a rough stretch of tough losses, Vicente Luque submitted Themba Gorimbo in the very first round in his last outing at UFC 310.

But while Oban Elliott is chasing his shot at the spotlight, Jorge Masvidal may be looking for something else. ‘Gamebred’ might have been away from the game for a while since his retirement, but he hasn’t lost track of the scores he has to settle inside the Octagon!

Jorge Masvidal wanted Leon Edwards to “make this money” with a grudge match

The infamous “three-piece and a soda” has become the thread that ties Jorge Masvidal and Leon Edwards together. Since that fateful altercation backstage in 2019, the two have had vastly different trajectories in their careers. But one thing remains the same, ‘Gamebred’ still wants that fight.

Speaking to ‘Sportsbook Review’ Masvidal shared, “Leon Edwards is the fight I want, I just want the chance to fight him. Leon’s the number one guy I’m targeting.”

It’s not just the history between them that matters, ‘Gamebred’s keen sense for drawing eyeballs shone through in his next statement as he further shared, “All he has to say is ‘I want to fight that motherf—– and it happens. I’m one of the top pay-per-view draws. I’m in the top three pay-per-view draws. Do you want to make this money or not?”

But there’s one problem: Leon Edwards has business elsewhere. He’s set to headline UFC Fight Night 255 in London against Sean Brady after Jack Della Maddalena was pulled from the matchup recently. With Edwards booked, Masvidal might have to wait a while for his opportunity.

Or, perhaps, it opens the door for someone like Oban Elliott to step up and take his shot at ‘Gamebred.’ Will the UFC and Dana White give Masvidal the fight he wants, or will a new name emerge from the shadows? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!