After a layoff of over a year following his lopsided loss to Colby Covington, 38-year-old Jorge Masvidal is back in the spotlight again. And this time he’s got another challenge in the form of former contender Gilbert Burns squaring up against him in his hometown of Miami. It’s undoubtedly a crucial fight for both athletes, it’s interesting to note that both fighters used to compete in lightweight.

Speaking to Joe Rogan on the latest episode of JRE, Masvidal spoke about his time as a lightweight while disclosing how the advent of the anti-doping agency USADA forced a move to welterweight, eventually. This episode aired before he faces Burns in the co-main event of UFC 287.

Jorge Masvidal on how USADA changed the game for him as a fighter

Cutting down to 155 pounds was an extremely arduous task for the BMF star, as he explained to Rogan. It all came down to discipline that would help him successfully step on the weights within the limit.

“I lived a different life, very strict diet. Once I turned 25, 26 I had to have like proper notice like nine weeks’ notice to get myself in shape to come in on fight week at 174 to drop down to 156,” he explained.

He then described the process as “torturous” considering his low body fat percentage even around 170 pounds.

“And right around like 172, 173, I was 5% body fat already. So it was just straight water, and it was fucking torturous.” Stated Masvidal.

But surprisingly, it was not the arduous task of cutting weight that propelled him to fight at welterweight. Instead, it was USADA’s whole new set of rules that changed the way fighters managed weight cuts.

‘Gamebred’ explained how the ban on IV usage to rehydrate made it impossible to make the cut to 155 lbs. Luckily, it also coincided with his decision to make the move up.

“And then UDADA when I decided to move up, USADA came in the game and outlawed the IV for us right. So there’s no way I can make 155, and that’s when I made my move to 170.” he explains.

Despite facing a new challenge in his career, the UFC star wasn’t concerned.

Masvidal already had confidence that his move to 170 would pan out perfectly

The veteran quickly realized that his hands were powerful enough to hurt even the bigger guys in training. And along with some strength training, ‘Gamebred’ made his successful move to welterweight where he beat the likes of former contender Darren Till.

“I knew that there was a strength level difference at me at 170  but I knew I could hurt those guys when I touch them every time. So I knew if I could work on my strength gains and get a little size I’d be alright at 170.” Masvidal recalled.

And the rest, as they say, is history. Maybe a bit later in his career, but the BMF star pulled off a couple of phenomenal wins in the division that saw him earn two title shots against former champ Kamaru Usman.

And Rogan too had a specific fight that he seemed to enjoy the most out of Masvidal’s long illustrious career. Pointing out to his win against Till, the UFC commentator noted: “Look at the Darren Till knockout. That was fucking phenomenal.” 

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And indeed it was phenomenal, just like Masvidal’s rise as a star in the UFC has been over the years.

What do you make of Masvidal’s revelations? Let us know in the comments section below.

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