Jorge Masvidal's journey to UFC 251 in 2020 was a whirlwind of negotiations and opportunities that ultimately led to one of the most lucrative paydays of his career. Initially expected to be headlined by Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns, the event took a turn when Burns tested positive for Covid-19 a week before the fight, prompting Masvidal to step in on short notice.

Fresh off his "BMF" title win over Nate Diaz, Masvidal negotiated hard with the UFC for a better contract, eventually securing a $5 million purse for the fight against Usman on Fight Island. Despite losing the bout via unanimous decision, Masvidal was satisfied with his pay, especially considering the circumstances.

In a recent interview with VladTV, Masvidal discussed the negotiations and his satisfaction with his earnings for the fight. "The UFC called me and needed someone to fill in on six days' notice and fly across the world and cut 20 pounds of water in these six days and fight for a world title," Masvidal explained. "There was only one motherf*cker in the whole world who could get that call for the bat signal. It’s that dude right here."

Masvidal emphasized that while he was happy with his pay, there was a part of him that still wanted the world title. "The guy that always wanted that world title wasn’t [happy], you know?" he concluded.

Despite coming up short in his two bids for UFC gold against Usman, Masvidal's rivalry with the welterweight champion remains memorable. Their first fight at UFC 251 was followed by a rematch a year later, with Usman again emerging victorious. The rivalry between the two fighters showcased the competitive spirit of the sport and the determination of fighters like Masvidal to reach the pinnacle of MMA success.