Jorge Masvidal is aiming for a UFC return in October or November.

The fan favourite might have come up short in his recent title fight against Kamaru Usman, but it seems Masvidal is prepared to get back on the horse quickly in order to build his way back up to his longtime goal of UFC gold. To do that, he says, he’ll get back in the Octagon against any named opponent in the top five at welterweight once summer is over.

“Doesn’t matter who it is,” Masvidal said, speaking to media in Biloxi, Mississippi ahead of his Gamebred event tomorrow night. “Whoever’s in the top five available in October/November, when I’m coming back, that’s who’s head I’m coming after.”

Two names who have been linked with Masvidal since his last outing have been Leon Edwards and Nate Diaz, who coincidentally fought last Saturday night in a five-round affair that saw Diaz nearly snatch a win after being dominated for four and a half rounds.

In Masvidal’s eyes, Diaz’ late success came on behalf of Edwards’ willingness to play safe rather than hunt for a finish.

“It was a good fight,” Masvidal said. “Good performance, I thought. I thought Leon does what he does, and he keeps asking for more money and more things, but he’s not a finisher. He’s not a fighter. He was winning happily, and he wasn’t willing to put himself at risk to go out there and get those finishes. That’s why I don’t think he’s in the position he wants to be. You’re not going out there and fighting every second of every minute.

“He’s a very skilled guy, but he doesn’t have that grit and that meanness to beat up a top contender the way you should, you know?”

UFC president Dana White has maintained the next contest for 170-pound king Usman was a rematch with Colby Covington, meaning Edwards may just have time for one more outing before a title shot he’s long been seeking. A grudge match with Masvidal, one inflamed by a backstage altercation last year, would no doubt gain plenty of attention.