ISRAEL ADESANYA PREDICTS ISLAM MAKACHE

Israel Adesanya envisions plenty of grappling exchanges in the UFC 311 headliner.

Islam Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) defends his lightweight title in a rematch against Arman Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) in Saturday’s main event (pay-per-view, ESPNews/Disney+, ESPN+) at Intuit Dome.

Both Makhachev and Tsarukyan are elite grapplers, but Adesanya doesn’t think their games will cancel out. Just like their first fight in April 2019, where Makhachev outlasted Tsarukyan, Adesanya expects the two to lean on their strong wrestling bases.

“This is going to be a wrestling fight,” Adesanya said on his YouTube channel. “This is going to be WrestleMania. I think they are going to have to test each other’s wrestling because they’re that good. I don’t think it’s just going to cancel each other out. … Even though we are going Islam, I still think Arman has a dog in this fight.

“I just feel like sometimes, some people, when it comes to that moment, they take it, and Arman, I don’t think he’s going to shy away from this. He’s used to the spotlight. Islam has definitely lived in this moment, main event, all that stuff.”

Adesanya ultimately picked the more experienced five-round fighter in Makhachev to win.

“In this fight, I’m going to go Islam just because he’s on a roll right now,” Adesanya said. “He just seems to be getting better and better and better. Arman is doing the same, as well. I was very impressed with his last fight and the way he handles the spotlight and everything.

“I just don’t think it’s going to be enough to take on Makhachev. Round 5, late submission (win for Makhachev). That defense against Charles ‘Do Bronx’ (Oliveira) was really slick, but when he’s tired, that’s what I am banking on. I just know Islam can definitely get the steam rolling.”

- Farah Hannoun

MASVIDA READY TO RETURN TO UFC, EYES EDWARDS AS OPPONENT

Jorge Masvidal said Friday he intends to resume his career in mixed martial arts and already has discussed his pending return with the UFC.

Masvidal (35-17) announced his retirement from MMA in April 2023, following a loss to Gilbert Burns in his hometown of Miami. The 39-year-old went on to professionally box Nate Diaz in July, dropping a close majority decision.

Masvidal said he is thankful for that experience, but is now set on returning to the sport he competed in for 20 years.

"I definitely did [retire] from sports and all martial arts for about 45 to 60 days," Masvidal told ESPN. "And then it just hit me. I was like, I'm not retired. I can't. I started doing some boxing and that opportunity fell in my lap, great opportunity, I couldn't pass it up. But even when I was doing boxing, even though I loved it, it just doesn't compare to MMA."

Masvidal told ESPN he contacted the UFC last month to express his desire to return. He is still under contract and does not require a new deal. Since he did retire, he likely will need to be in the UFC's drug testing program for a minimum of 180 days before competition, although the UFC reserves the right to waive that requirement if it deems appropriate. Masvidal said he will meet any requirements necessary and is proud of his long history as a clean athlete.

In terms of a potential opponent for his comeback, Masvidal said he would love to target former welterweight champion Leon Edwards (22-4), whom he got into a backstage altercation with in 2019.

"Give me f---ing Leon Edwards, bro," Masvidal said. "What would you call him? A veteran? Ex-champion? Whatever you call that motherf---er, give me that. We've got a built-in history. [The UFC] has got the whole promo. Let's do the fight at the end of the year, next year. That's it. Let's get it done. And then, after I knock his ass out, guess what? They've got to give me the title shot."

Edwards, who lost his title to Belal Muhammad in July, does not currently have a fight booked.

If not Edwards, Masvidal mentioned Michael Chandler as a potential opponent. He said he will be open to anyone the UFC comes with, although he does feel that many younger, up-and-comers would need to do more to justify a matchup against him.

Masvidal exited the sport on a four fight skid, but two of those were to then-champion Kamaru Usman and another was to a former interim champion in Colby Covington.

"I only set out to win championships, a lot of you know," Masvidal said. "Situations went through my mind [in retirement] -- had I done this the right way or that the right way. So, I wasn't 100 percent happy. That's why, with this run, it's just I want to make everything as right as I possibly can."

- Brett Okamoto, ESPN Staff Writer