© Provided by MMAJunkie
UFC star Jorge Masvidal is what you would call “big mad” about President Donald Trump being banned from Twitter.
Jorge Masvidal threatens to leave Twitter over Trump ban. Many of his followers don't seem to mind. By Simon Samano, The Blue Corner January 9, 2021 2:30 pm Follow @SJSamano UFC star Jorge. Jorge Masvidal plans to make a statement against Kamaru Usman at UFC 261, promising nothing but violence from start to finish. ‘Gamebred’ has labelled ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ a coward. Jorge Masvidal breaking news and and highlights for UFC 261 fight vs. Jorge Masvidal, with official Sherdog mixed martial arts stats, photos, videos, and more for the Welterweight fighter from. Apr 03, 2021 — Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) April 1, 2021 A little while later, Covington responded to Askren’s tweet, agreeing with Funky that Masvidal was scared. “Truth is a force of nature. UFC welterweight Jorge Masvidal is apparently considering leaving his more than 650,000 Twitter followers behind. Masvidal threatened the move in support of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has.
Twitter permanently banned the president from its platform Friday, citing risk that he would incite further violence in the wake of a pro-Trump mob storming the Capitol, which resulted in five deaths. The attempted coup took place Wednesday as Congress was in the middle of certifying the Electoral College votes won by President-elect Joe Biden. While the rioting unfolded, Trump continued to issue inflammatory tweets, which didn’t come as a surprise.
Trump had been rigorously disputing the election results since Nov. 3, arguing that widespread voter fraud took place, without proof. Many of Trump’s supporters – including Masvidal – have followed his lead in either questioning the election outcome or outright calling for the results to be overturned, even as the president’s many lawsuits failed.
All of that manifested itself into the ugly scene that took place at the Capitol, during which Masvidal was curiously silent – curious because he’s been one of Trump’s staunchest supporters, echoing the president’s anti-socialism rhetoric while also spreading unfounded conspiracy theories.
Masvidal, though, finally spoke up Saturday by taking aim at Twitter CEO and co-founder Jack Dorsey for silencing Trump and indicating he was also done using the social media platform.
Not too many places I ain’t been kicked out of and since all the cool kids have been kicked off Twitter.... 🖕🏼 @jack Follow the leader. Ala din my way out of here #supernecessary
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) January 9, 2021Not too many places I ain’t been kicked out of and since all the cool kids have been kicked off Twitter…. Reversed hand with middle finger extended @jack 🖕 Follow the leader. Ala din my way out of here #supernecessary
We’re not sure what sort of response Masvidal was expecting, but if his threat to stay off Twitter is serious, his followers generally don’t seem bothered.
Take a look:
You still dying on this hill pic.twitter.com/SiqdlPpV9i
— BackpackJones (@BackPackJones) January 9, 2021Just like a sheep
— Mike Robinson (@newmike79) January 9, 2021Not Jorge Masvidal!! Oh no twitter going to hell now. This app will never recover. pic.twitter.com/mGePyipgsw
— Ish Martin (@StickyIshuation) January 9, 2021Imagine getting this worked up about the flapping fortunes of a bankrupt reality TV star. LOL.
— mark mceahern (@m5rk) January 9, 2021That only hurts your brand, but I guess no one ever said you were smart.
— Matthew Montoya (@Seanmon5280) January 9, 2021Bro Jorge has to be top 3 dumbest athletes alive. Got a participant trophy for a belt and hasn’t had a brain cell since https://t.co/qk4oe3LMUi
— Steve Medina (@SBSteve50) January 9, 2021Good riddance https://t.co/IyJjHDhrripic.twitter.com/yyGV1yi9c9
— 🇺🇲classic mma fan🇳🇬 (@nayteradee) January 9, 2021With Trump on his way out of office, here’s hoping Masvidal can focus simply on fighting again – preferably against Colby Covington.
The Blue Corner is MMA Junkie’s blog space. We don’t take it overly serious, and neither should you. If you come complaining to us that something you read here is not hard-hitting news, expect to have the previous sentence repeated in ALL CAPS.
MORE:© Sarah Stier-USA TODAY Sports Jorge Masvidal is the latest UFC fighter to ask for his release from the organization on Twitter.The tradition of UFC fighters threatening to quit the promotion via Twitter amid the coronavirus pandemic continued on Friday afternoon when Jorge Masvidal, a top contender to battle welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in July, tweeted that he wants out of his UFC deal.
'I'm not an independent contractor if I can't go anywhere else to make a living,' Masvidal wrote. 'Let me go and let me see if I'm worth it.'
The 35-year-old with a 35-13 professional record was set to face Usman at UFC's Fight Island this summer, but negotiations broke down regarding financial aspects of the deal.
Jorge Masvidal Wiki
50% of the revenue. I don’t get paid on the hot dog you sell in the arena or the logo on the cage. I’ve never made a dollar on a ticket you sell. I get punched in the face for a living and even I know the pandemic or what’s left of it has nothing to do with it
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) June 5, 2020Masvidal also borrowed a line from 'The Dark Knight' movie: 'If you're good at something, never do it for free.'
As ESPN's Marc Raimondi reported, UFC boss Dana White responded to Masvidal while speaking with reporters at the UFC 250 weigh-ins:
'You don't have to fight. Anybody that doesn't want to fight doesn't have to fight. Including Masvidal and Jon Jones and all these other guys. And it doesn't have to be because of a pandemic. These guys are independent contractors. ... We're not begging people to fight.'
Kamaru Usman Twitter
White's full NSFW statement can be found here.
Jones, the reigning light heavyweight champion, has repeatedly bashed White and teased a UFC exit via Twitter since late May. He also hinted that he could relinquish his title.
Meanwhile, Usman publicly challenged former two-division champion Conor McGregor last month. McGregor has said he's open to a July fight.
Jorge Masvidal
Subscribe to Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the most comprehensive newsletter in sports. Customize your email to get the latest news on your favorite sports, teams and schools. Emailed daily. Always free! Sign up now ▸
More must-reads:
Nate Diaz Twitter
Related slideshow: The 30 best MMA fighters of the 2010s (Provided by Yardbarker)