Crank up The Speculation: Dana White Says Kamaru Usman May Not be Next For Jorge Masvidal….

For weeks now, the narrative’s been that Jorge Masvidal is going to challenge UFC welterweight champ, Kamaru Usman next. Even UFC President Dana White had said the promotion was targeting that match-up for this summer.

But, as the UFC gets set to resume operations right around the corner, White said that Masvidal’s next fight may not be with Usman after all.

White says UFC might have “something else interesting” for Masvidal

Late last year, and into 2020, Masvidal campaigned for a bout with Conor McGregor. The welterweight contender said he wants to challenge for the belt, but, Masvidal relayed that he wanted to secure the biggest fight possible.

But, as McGregor got set to fight Donald Cerrone at UFC 246, and after he took out “Cowboy”, there was more talk about Masvidal fighting Usman. The welterweights also started to trade more and more verbal shots.

So, before the coronavirus pandemic began postponing UFC shows, the plan was to have Masvidal face Usman. Until Friday, there wasn’t really any reason to think the promotion was considering otherwise.

But, in a recent interview with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, White was asked about Masvidal taking on Usman. Here’s what the UFC President had to say (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“We’re talking about a few different things,” White said. “We have something else interesting for Masvidal, too, that we were just talking about (Thursday). We’ll see.”

“We’ll see how this whole thing plays out – locations and how fast,” White said. “To start speculating down the road right now is too soon.

Let’s get by these three fights in Florida and we’ll figure out what’s next. We’re talking about different possibilities with those guys.”

What could this mean?

Now, due to the fact Masvidal pushed for a bout with McGregor, the tendency here is to wonder if that’s the “interesting” match-up White’s talking about. Especially since McGregor has said he wants to have a busy 2020, and with Justin Gaethje fighting Tony Ferguson at UFC 249, his options at 155 right now are limited.

But, White also recently repeated his hope to see McGregor rematch Khabib Nurmagomedov. He also expressed doubts about Khabib fighting Ferguson this year.

So, would the UFC be willing to risk Conor’s road back to a title shot, by having him fight the ridiculously dangerous Masvidal?

Or, could something be going on with Usman and the UFC’s thinking about having Masvidal fight Colby Covington? Could Nick Diaz finally be ready to come back? And try to avenge his brother Nate’s loss to Masvidal?