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https://scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3035777/jorge-masvidal-gets-fans-spar-ufc-244-open Mixed Martial Arts
Jorge Masvidal gets fans to spar at UFC 244 open workout – ‘I know New Yorkers like to fight’
- ‘Gamebred’ invites spectators up to trade body blows in boxing gloves
- UFC official comes and shuts down the fun – then gets booed offstage
Jorge Masvidal celebrates his knockout victory over Ben Askren. Photo: AP
Open workouts are often uneventful affairs. Not when Jorge Masvidal is around.
The 34-year-old Masvidal (professional record 34-13) is set to face Nate Diaz (20-11) for the “BMF” belt on Saturday Night in the main event of UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden.
You’d think with the biggest fight of his career around the corner, he might have kept it strictly business for Wednesday’s media obligation at Hulu Theatre. But “Gamebred” urged his coach Mike Brown to pick members of the audience for some 30-second sparring sessions on stage.
Contestants were given boxing gloves and were told that only body shots were permitted.
“I want to give some exposure to my people. I’m going to perform for you all on Saturday so this [workout] right now is kind of [not interesting],” said an animated Masvidal after a light onstage workout.
“To avoid you breaking your hands, I’ve got some gloves for you. We’ll do body blows only – we’re not going hard. If the UFC don’t like it they can … you know what.”
Fans of all ages and sizes squared up as Masvidal jumped and squawked in the background, microphone in hand. The duels were eventually waived off by UFC officials, much to Masvidal’s and the fans’ disappointment.
“They’re saying I can’t do it”, he said as fans were ushered off the stage and the booing ensued.
Before his seasoned professional MMA career, the Cuban-American made his name competing in bare-knuckle fights in the streets of Miami, Florida. He was also a regular feature at late combat sports legend Kimbo Slice’s backyard brawls.
“You liked that, huh?” said Masvidal at a post-work out media scrum. “I know New Yorkers like to fight, so I was giving them a chance to shine.”
Masvidal will be aiming to add to his devastating knockout wins over Darren Till in March and Ben Askren in July as he prepares to headline UFC 244 with Diaz.
“I’m here to do the same thing, and that’s damage,” he said. “The only way to separate me from the pack is to put these guys into another dimension.”