Jorge Masvidal has announced his retirement from fighting after losing his fourth consecutive bout at UFC 287.
The former title contender had hoped to secure a highly-anticipated rematch with Leon Edwards by defeating Gilbert Burns in his hometown of Miami, but he was unable to overcome the Brazilian and was outpointed over three rounds.
In round one of his fight against ‘Durinho’, Jorge Masvidal found himself in danger as his opponent landed big punches, reminiscent of Masvidal's previous knockout loss to Kamaru Usman in 2021.
In the second round, Burns relied on his superior grappling skills to control Masvidal, leading to another clear round for him. Although Masvidal started round three strong, Burns landed several powerful overhand rights that had him visibly hurt.
Masvidal eventually resorted to wrestling, but Burns finished the fight in top position, leading to his decision win with 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28 scorecards.
In his post-fight speech, Masvidal announced his retirement from fighting after a 20-year career that included 52 fights.
He said: “I love everybody here. This is where I started my career, it’s been a long 20 years, 50-some fights.
“Sometimes your favourite basketball player don’t have that 3-pointer no more. Your favourite quarterback loses that rifle.
“I don’t feel the same when I get in here no more. It’s been 20 long years.
“I love this f****** sport. I’m a multi-millionaire. I didn’t start with nothing. I can say I’m good for life now.”
Jorge Masvidal has retired in Miami.
— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) April 9, 2023
Happy trails @GamebredFighter 🫡t#UFC287 pic.twitter.com/Dw2ymoyCoM
But despite winning, Burns accused Masvidal of coating himself in a slippery substance making it harder for the Brazilian to grab his opponent.
Speaking in the post-fight press conference, he said: “That guy was slippery.
“It’s an old dog Miami trick with the lotion because he was so slippery. Wow.
“I know those old tricks those guys do. They wake up and they take the first shower, and they pass a lot of lotion on their body. The skin absorbs the lotion. After three hours, you do it again.”
And though he won, Burns believes he would have recorded the stoppage had Masvidal not supposedly used lotion.
“100 percent (I would have finished him).
“I dominated the guy on the floor. If I had a little bit less lotion, I think I could get it done.”
Now he has retired, it remains to be seen if Masvidal decides to respond to these accusations or if he will move on.