Jorge Masvidal

Jorge Masvidal (born November 12, 1984) is an American former professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Welterweight and Lightweight divisions.

Masvidal competed professionally for 20 years from 2003 until 2023, having fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Bellator, Strikeforce, Shark Fights, and World Victory Road.

He holds the record for the fastest knockout in UFC history at five seconds, and won the symbolic UFC "BMF" Championship belt.

Masvidal was born and raised in Miami, to a Cuban father and Peruvian mother.

According to Masvidal, his father left Cuba in a self-made raft when he was young, ending up in the Virgin Islands.

Masvidal was often involved in street fighting from a young age.

There are videos on YouTube of his fights defeating Kimbo Slice's protégé "Ray".

Masvidal was first interested in wrestling in high school, but was not eligible because of his grades.

He then began training in karate and mixed martial arts.

Masvidal won his mixed martial arts debut by knockout on May 24, 2003, at HOOKnSHOOT: Absolute Fighting Championships 3.

He fought in the main event of the Absolute Fighting Championships XII event held on April 30, against current UFC competitor and The Ultimate Fighter 5 contestant Joe Lauzon.

Masvidal won via technical knockout in the second round.

Masvidal garnered a 3–0 record in the now-defunct BodogFIGHT promotion, including decision victories over Keith Wisniewski, Steve Berger, and a head-kick knockout of PRIDE Fighting Championships and UFC veteran Yves Edwards.

Masvidal was signed by Bellator and entered their lightweight tournament in April 2009.

Masvidal won his first fight against Nick Agallar at Bellator 1 via TKO in the first round.

However, he was defeated in the semifinals by Toby Imada at Bellator 5, who won via inverted triangle choke submission in the third round.

This upset loss was acknowledged as Submission of the Year by several prominent MMA media outlets, like Sherdog, MMA Fighting and World MMA Awards.

Masvidal faced and defeated Eric Reynolds at Bellator 12 in a 160 lb. catchweight bout via rear-naked choke submission.

He was rumored to be fighting again but was released by the organization.

Masvidal moved up to the welterweight division to fight Paul Daley at Shark Fights 13 in Amarillo, Texas in September 2010.

The bout was later made a catchweight of 171.75 lbs.

after Daley failed to make weight, simultaneously forfeiting 10 percent of his show purse to Masvidal.

Daley defeated Masvidal via unanimous decision.

After this performance, Masvidal signed with Strikeforce.

Masvidal returned to Strikeforce in early 2011, facing Billy Evangelista at Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson.

He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Masvidal then fought former Elite XC Lightweight Champion K. J. Noons in a number one contender's bout.

Despite knocking Noons down and almost finishing him in the first round, Masvidal went on to win via unanimous decision.

Masvidal faced Gilbert Melendez for the Strikeforce Lightweight Championship at Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal on December 17, 2011, at the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, CA.

He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Following the championship bout, Masvidal fought Justin Wilcox at Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy on July 14, 2012.

He won the fight via split decision (29–28, 28–29, and 30–27).

Masvidal was expected to face Bobby Green on November 3, 2012, at Strikeforce: Cormier vs. Mir, but the bout was canceled along with the event itself.

Replacing injured Gilbert Melendez, Masvidal was expected to face Pat Healy at Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine.

However, he in turn had to pull out due to a back injury and was replaced by Kurt Holobaugh.

Following the dissolution of Strikeforce in January 2013, Masvidal was brought over to the UFC.

He made his debut against Tim Means on April 20, 2013, at UFC on Fox 7.

Masvidal was successful in his debut, winning the fight via unanimous decision.

For his second bout with the promotion, Masvidal made a quick return to the Octagon as he replaced Reza Madadi in a fight against Michael Chiesa on July 27, 2013, at UFC on Fox 8.

Despite being dropped in the first round by punches, Masvidal took control in the second round and won via submission.