Jorge Masvidal says he will fight in 2027, in UFC MMA or Zuffa Boxing

Jorge Masvidal says his retirement is not permanent. Speaking on a recent podcast, the 41-year-old said he will fight again next year, and that the UFC will be involved whichever sport he picks: "I'll have a fight in some form next year, with the UFC, whether boxing with Zuffa Boxing or MMA in the UFC" (translated, per La Sueur).

The choice he left open is the real story. A return to the Octagon would reverse the farewell he took in front of his home crowd in Miami after losing to Gilbert Burns at UFC 287. A boxing bout under the Zuffa Boxing banner would continue the path he took after leaving MMA, and our records list his current division as boxing light heavyweight.

He has been out of action for a long time. His last appearance was the boxing match with Nate Diaz on July 6, 2024, which means that by 2027 he would have spent close to three years away. He first spoke of wanting to come back in the months after retiring, so the idea itself is not new. A target year is.

The announcement is thin on detail. The UFC has not confirmed any plan, and Masvidal did not call out an opponent, according to La Sueur. There is no date, no venue and no stated weight class. Diaz, his most recent opponent, is also still active and fought Mike Perry at MVP MMA 1 in May 2026, losing by corner stoppage in round two.

What to watch for next is any response from the UFC or Zuffa Boxing, and whether Masvidal names a rival. Until one of those happens, the 2027 return is his own statement of intent rather than a booked fight.