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Jorge Masvidal is still an active member of the UFC roster and one of the promotions biggest stars.
But he’s also an elite fight promoter, and now it appears he’s ready to put those promotion skills to the test outside of the UFC landscape.
Masvidal is set to step into the cage for the first time in 2023 on April 8 at UFC 287 against middleweight foe Gilbert Burns. Though he won’t be defending his BMF belt in the process.
But in the meantime, he’s also got some other responsibilities.
He elaborated on those responsibilities on Monday’s episode of The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani.
Jorge Masvidal Reveals Card For Gamebred Boxing 4 Featuring Big Name Stars
Masvidal revealed that fourth installment of his Gamebred Promotions boxing series will be held on April 1 in Milwaukee. Gamebred Boxing 4 will feature a number big-name former UFC fighters as well as former boxing champion Roy Jones Jr.
Jorge Masvidal on #TheMMAHour announces Gamebred Boxing 4.
Main event: Anthony Pettis vs. Roy Jones Jr.
Jose Aldo vs. Jeremy Stephens
Vitor Belfort vs. Jacare Souza
Paul Daley vs. Anthony Taylor
Pearl Gonzalez vs. Gina MazanyApril 1 in Milwaukee.
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) February 6, 2023
The card is set to feature five fights in total:
Main event: Anthony Pettis vs. Roy Jones Jr.
Jose Aldo vs. Jeremy Stephens
Vitor Belfort vs. Jacare Souza
Paul Daley vs. Anthony Taylor
Pearl Gonzalez vs. Gina Mazany
All fights will be professional bouts and at least six rounds. The main event between Pettis and Jones Jr. is scheduled for eight rounds.
Pro fights, no exhibitions. All six rounds except for Anthony Pettis vs. Roy Jones Jr., which is eight. Wow. Big names, fun card! Masvidal keeping busy the week before his UFC 287 fight in Miami. #TheMMAHour
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) February 6, 2023
Fans were a mixed of excited and confused by the news.
I’m intrigued, disgusted and intrigued https://t.co/3ovXoWAwZx
— Jack Maher (@JackM_78) February 6, 2023
Man that’s an amazing group of “retired” dudes that are going to “box” for like, five thousand PPV buys https://t.co/S0U8BzZpXN
— Neil (@DA_NeilW) February 6, 2023
😍 This looks incredibly fun https://t.co/DHFtMZf6mf
— Amy Kaplan (@PhotoAmy33) February 6, 2023
Lmao what https://t.co/JaI5MF8QJi
— Dáire Nugent (@daire_nugent) February 6, 2023
https://twitter.com/tyronemartian/status/1622683060343898113?s=20&t=lpN8WsilZJOizrmVhif6jQ
The world of celebrity and ex-athlete boxing has absolutely skyrocketed in recent years. Thanks in large part to YouTube stars Jake Paul and KSI. But this is first time so many former UFC stars are featured on a card.
It’s also a first foray into boxing for Aldo. The former UFC champ is one of the legends of the sport. His scheduled bout with Stephens is a rematch of their UFC fight in 2018. Aldo won that fight via first-round TKO. But that was MMA. This is boxing.
All we know is that folks will tune in, and Masvidal clearly knows how to promote.