Jorge Masvidal will enter his first UFC title fight without his friend and longtime cornerman.
Jorge Masvidal won’t have American Top Team coach Mike Brown in his corner for the biggest fight of his career, and he’s feeling down about.
Masvidal (35-13 MMA, 12-6 UFC) is stepping in on just six days’ notice to challenge welterweight champion Kamaru Usman this Saturday at UFC 251, and his head coach won’t be there after Brown tested positive for COVID-19 while in Las Vegas. As a result, he was unable to board the charter flight to Abu Dhabi and will miss UFC 251.
Masvidal, meanwhile, passed his COVID-19 test and departed for Abu Dhabi on a private jet, courtesy of his First Round Management team.
Brown’s absence is a tough loss for Masvidal, who would have wanted nothing more than one of the most influential people in his career by his side for his first UFC title shot.
“It sucked emotionally just because I want him there,” Masvidal told ESPN. “When I get that belt, I needed this individual to be there, because he’s a huge part of my career. He’s been there for such a long time. We’ve been friends for a long time, as well. It was just like, it took the air from all of us. Every single one of me and my cornermen were devastated by it. But thank God (that) Mike has no symptoms, nothing.”
Brown’s reaction was equally emotional in a statement provided to ESPN, expressing his heartbreak in not being able to see all of Masvidal’s hard work pay off.
“Just heartbroken I’m not going to see Jorge win the world championship in person,” Brown said. “Nobody deserves it more than this guy. Nobody has paid more dues. Jorge is also one of the most thoughtful athletes I’ve ever met. He makes everyone feel they are with him and a huge part of this journey.
“The truth is this guy has been honing his skills for more than 20 years and developed one of the highest fight IQs the sport has ever seen. As far as being COVID positive, I feel good. The only pain I feel is in my heart.”
Masvidal received the call to face Usman after Gilbert Burns tested positive for COVID-19 last Friday, opening the door for Masvidal to step in.
Masvidal passed his COVID-19 test Monday and traveled to Abu Dhabi on a private jet, courtesy of his First Round Management team.
