Jorge Masvidal planning a move to welterweight

After having seven fights in the UFC as a lightweight, Jorge Masvidal is planning to move up in weight and compete in the UFC welterweight division.

Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The news of this planned moved was revealed by Ariel Helwani on Friday night’s edition of UFC Tonight on Fox Sports 1.

“Jorge Masvidal told me he’s done fighting at 155 and it’s too hard for him to cut down,” Helwani reported. “He believes he should be 7-0 at lightweight in the UFC, but instead is at 5-2 after two controversial losses. He was thinking about making a move to 170, and he’s ready whenever and wherever. He wants to make some headway there.”

Masvidal (28-9) went 5-2 in the UFC lightweight division and scored victories over Tim Means, Michael Chiesa, Pat Healy, Daron Cruickshank, and James Krause. Both of his defeats in the UFC lightweight division were close decision as he lost to Rustam Khabilov and Al Iaquinta.

When Khabib Nurmagomedov pulled out of UFC 187, Masvidal went on social media to state he was ready to step up on short notice to meet Donald Cerrone on the May 23 fight card. Masvidal wanted the fight to be a catchweight as he plans to move back to welterweight and his last welterweight bout came in 2010 when he lost a decision against Paul Daley.