UFC Welterweight title challenger Jorge Masvidal spoke out to ESPN via MMA Fighting and shared his thoughts following some disturbing news. It was revealed that his head coach at ATT, Mike Brown, tested positive for COVID-19 and would be absent from his corner. The news came as a great disappointment to ‘Gamebred’ who has had a strong relationship with Brown.
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The BMF champion stepped in to fight Kamaru Usman for the 170-pound strap on a 6-day notice. These circumstances transpired after the original challenger Gilbert Burns tested positive for COVID-19. He was promptly removed from his headlining opportunity against ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ in place of Masvidal.
Jorge Masvidal: “It sucked emotionally”
The 17-year fight veteran expressed his disappointment over the shocking absence of his long-time head coach. In light of recent events, this was but another instance of uncertain events playing out in real time.
”It sucked emotionally just because I want him there 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 such a long time as well. It took the air from all of us.”
Chiefly, the former street fighter from Miami, was let down by the fact that he wouldn’t be able to celebrate the victory with Brown. In terms of the head coach’s health, he expressed that he was physically in a fit condition. Not to mention, he returned to Florida immediately as the results were announced.
“Every single one of me and my cornermen were devastated by it. Thank god, Mike doesn’t have any symptoms, nothing, any cold symptoms or sore throat or nothing. So he’s great right now.”
The loss of his coach in his corner has seemingly done little in the way of distracting ‘Gamebred’. The veteran fighter looks to capitalize on his short-notice call by defeating a bitter rival in Usman. The two fighters who will square off in the main event at Yas Island have plenty of bad blood going into the bout.
Moreover, fight fans are excited at the prospect of a violent finish that both fighters have vehemently promised at UFC 251.
