Exploring Masvidal's options after knockout loss

Jorge Masvidal isn't getting another title shot anytime soon after suffering back-to-back losses to welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, including a brutal knockout defeat at UFC 261 this past weekend.

However, there are several big fights left for "Gamebred," who became one of the UFC's most popular fighters with three straight wins in 2019.

Here's what could be on deck for Masvidal after falling short in two consecutive title bouts.

Leon Edwards or Nate Diaz

Masvidal has established a history with both Edwards and Diaz, who are scheduled to meet in the UFC 262 co-main event in May. It would make sense for him to clash with either fighter afterward, regardless of the result.

Edwards and Masvidal engaged in a scuffle backstage at a UFC London event in 2019. It was the birth of the three piece and a soda, and a potential matchup between the two has been very intriguing since.

Meanwhile, Masvidal beat Diaz for the mythical BMF belt to round out his breakthrough 2019 campaign. A rematch was rumored for earlier in 2021, but it didn't come to fruition. This would be a huge fight for the UFC, and for the fighters involved.

If Colby Covington gets the next title shot against Usman as planned and the Edwards-Diaz winner isn't next in line, then Masvidal should fight whoever earns the victory in that matchup. But he should meet the loser if the winner leapfrogs Covington for a crack at the belt.

Conor McGregor

A little over a year ago, Masvidal-McGregor was considered the biggest fight the UFC could make.

Masvidal was two months removed from beating Diaz in a pay-per-view main event, and McGregor had just returned to the sport with a 40-second finish of Donald Cerrone.

Though both fighters have since lost the momentum from those wins - Masvidal is on a two-fight skid and McGregor suffered a TKO loss to Dustin Poirier earlier in 2021 - it would still be a major fight for the promotion. McGregor remains the biggest star in MMA, and this fight would give Masvidal an opportunity to keep his popularity intact.

If McGregor beats Poirier in their trilogy bout in July, he would essentially be back in the lightweight title picture, making a matchup with Masvidal unlikely. But if he falls short again, Masvidal-McGregor would be the perfect way to get one of the UFC's most popular fighters back on track.

Nick Diaz

This is a bit of a wild-card option since Diaz hasn't competed in over six years. Dana White confirmed this past weekend that Diaz wants to return to the sport, and the UFC president said he's willing to give the former title challenger another shot. But this wouldn't be the first time talks of Diaz's return don't result in anything.

If Diaz does come back, a fight with Masvidal would be very marketable, and it would be a fit for both parties.

For starters, there's the angle of Nick avenging Nate's loss. Maybe Masvidal would be willing to put his BMF belt on the line while pitted against the older Diaz brother.

And from a competition standpoint, the 36-year-old Masvidal is exactly the kind of opponent Diaz should face in his return. "Gamebred" is probably nearing the end of his career, but he's still a big name, and who knows how Diaz will look after sitting on the sidelines for so long.

Unlike a matchup with Edwards or Nate Diaz, Masvidal versus Nick Diaz wouldn't be tied to the title picture. But that's the way it should be.