JORGE MASVIDAL retired from MMA after having his welterweight title hopes ended by Gilbert Burns.
The former welterweight title challenger returned to action on home soil on Saturday night in the main event of UFC 287 in Miami.
GettyJorge Masvidal locked horns with Gilbert Burns in the co-main event of UFC 287[/caption]
GettyGamebred found himself being beaten to the punch by the Brazilian bruiser[/caption]
GettyMasvidal was also stifled by Burns’ relentless grappling[/caption]
Fan favourite Masvidal went into his homecoming on the back of three losses on the spin – the most recent of which was against bitter rival Colby Covington.
But he was unable to stop his rot against BJJ whiz Burns – who ground him out to earn a unanimous decision victory.
A fourth defeat on the bounce ended his hopes of setting up a grudge match with 170lb king Leon Edwards.
And Masvidal decided to bring the curtain down on his career following his latest and final career setback.
He said: “I don’t feel the same when I get in here no more.”
Burns took the centre of the octagon but was cautious early doors as he endured pro-Masvidal chants.
Masvidal was happy to throw kicks out early, despite the threat of the takedown.
Burns landed a good right hand just before the two-minute mark of the round but found himself eating a big right low kick a few moments later.
Another right landed for Burns and he almost transitioned to a takedown with a minute thirty left in the first stanza.
Masvidal returned the favour after having a scissor knee blocked by the Brazilian, who cracked him with a right when he tried the same trick a few moments later.
GettyBurns was just one step ahead of Masvidal[/caption]
GettyBurns staked his own claim for a title shot with victory over Masvidal[/caption]
Burns managed to ground the fight easily in the dying embers of the first, which he handed by unloading hammer fists until the end of the round.
Masvidal found himself on the canvas early in the second after being swarmed and dropped by a right hand.
And it wasn’t long before he found finds himself on his back thanks to a huge takedown by Burns.
Burns was at his suffocating best as Masvidal tried to work his way back to his feet.
Masvidal did an impressive job of not allowing Burns to transition to any dangerous positions and eventually worked his way back up to his feet with a minute of the stanza remaining.
And he landed a nice right hand ten seconds before the end of the round.
Masvidal upped the ante in the third as he looked to land something big. But he found himself struggling to deal with the jab of Burns.
A spinning back kick to the midsection and an inside low kick from Masvidal drew a big reaction from the crowd.
But they were soon concerned for their man after he was staggered by a big overhand right.
Masvidal implored Burns to bring it on and ate several more right hands as a result.
An uppercut snapped back the head of Masvidal, who was then nailed with another overhand right moments later.
Masvidal came storming back with a big two-punch combo but gets stifled by a clinch and a successful takedown from Burns.
Burns looked for a submission with seconds of the round remaining, although Masvidal did manage to get back to his feet before the final horn of his career.
A heartbroken Masvidal was, however, in good sports as he addressed his loyal Miami fans, saying: “”I’m a multi-millionaire.
“I didn’t have s**t when I started. I can say I’m good for life now. Twenty long years, I love you guys.”