Jorge Masvidal's manager calls Leon Edwards' claim of ducked fight 'desperate'

Jorge Masvidal’s plans for a title shot haven’t changed.

Masvidal’s manager, Abe Kawa, disputed a recent claim that his client turned down a fight with rival UFC welterweight Leon Edwards, calling the U.K. standout “desperate” in his attempt to book a fight.

In a Monday interview with MMA Junkie, Edwards claimed the UFC is trying to match him with Masvidal and added his rival is pricing himself out of the market by demanding “a stupid amount of money.” Edwards hopes the UFC is able to break the stalemate and is waiting to hear back from the promotion.

Kawa declined comment on Edwards when reached for comment by MMA Junkie and said his tweet spoke for itself. Edwards, for his part, wasted little time clapping back at the manager.

Kawa’s management firm previously declared Masvidal will only accept a title shot against welterweight champion Kamaru Usman or a fight with former two-division champ Conor McGregor. The manager also has clarified that a money fight against a marquee opponent like Nate Diaz also would be of interest.

UFC president Dana White recently ruled out Usman or McGregor for Masvidal’s next fight and said another opponent will be offered.

Kawa has said White is protecting McGregor from getting beaten by Masvidal, who went viral for a five-second knockout of Ben Askren at UFC 239. That fight was important, according to Kawa, because Team Masvidal had accepted it based on a guaranteed welterweight title shot in their next outing.

But with Colby Covington named as the No. 1 welterweight contender following his victory over Robbie Lawler last weekend at UFC on ESPN 5, Masvidal will have to wait. Kawa said his client has no trouble with his longtime teammate Covington getting the first shot. The next one, he claims is Masvidal’s opportunity.