UFC legend Jorge Masvidal reckons NRL icon Shaun Johnson has what it takes to make it in MMA, promising the former Warriors star “could have a 10-0 record” if he joined his promotion.
Masvidal, a pro fighter of more than 20 years who holds the record for the fastest knockout in UFC history, joined retired Kiwi superstar Johnson in Miami for a fascinating chat ahead of Alexander Volkanovski monster title fight against Diego Lopes this Sunday.
The duo shared experiences from their professional sporting careers before Masvidal — with tongue firmly in cheek — declared he wanted to recruit the 88kg New Zealander for the Gamebred Fighting Championship, an idea the former Warriors and Cronulla star wasn’t overly enthused about.
UFC 314: Volkanovski vs Lopes | SUN 13 APRIL | Australia’s Alexander Volkanovski looks to become a two-time World Champion as he takes on Brazil’s Diego Lopes for the vacant Undisputed Featherweight title, in Miami | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports >
“You are going to be our Australian poster boy, we’re going to take care of you,” Masvidal laughed.
“I’m going to bring you taxi cab drivers from Tijuana, brother. I’m going to pay these guys two 12-packs and like 15 tacos, and they’re going to be like, ‘Yeah, (I’ll fight) anybody’.
“First we’re going to get you to 7-0, then we’ll start getting other rugby players.
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“Then before you know it we’re in Australia with this guy, it’s going to be easy to sell out a stadium.
“I’ve got five f***ing taxicab drivers lining up.
“We get him to 10-0, now we’re selling arenas out. We go to Auckland, we’re selling that f***ing s*** out.
“This is my guy. Give me two years, this guy will be 10-0.”
Masvidal reflects on meeting Volk | 01:22
Masvidal also previewed Volkanovski’s upcoming bout against Lopes, with the duo fighting for the vacant UFC featherweight title. Last year, the Australian lost the title after suffering a second-round loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 298.
“Volk is one of my favourite fighters,” Masvidal said.
“He can wrestle, he can kick, he can punch, has great ground game, great stand up, does not get tired, doesn’t fade, good chin.”
“That being said, he has no easy task coming up this Saturday. That’s going to be a tough one.
“Diego in those first two rounds is a bull – young, considerably bigger – but he doesn’t have the same skillset and experience as Volk, so it’s still a very exciting fight.
“If this guy can get to Volk in the first two rounds, it could be very good for him, but I also see that once he gets out of the first two rounds, the guy’s chances drop dramatically because Volk is just so f***ing good anywhere
“This Diego Lopez fight is going to show us how back Volk is.”
Watch the brilliant full chat in the video player above. UFC 314 gets underway at Miami’s Kaseya Center this Sunday.
‘This old dog has still got it’ | 01:28
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