JORGE MASVIDAL wants to return to his first love and lace up the boxing gloves again – with his team adamant he has the skills to crossover the combat codes.

The Miami fan-favourite capped off a stunning 2019 by battering Nate Diaz in the main-event of UFC 244 to the point his opponent’s eye was so cut the fight was halted.

It followed from a savage KO against Brit Darren Till and historic five second finish against Ben Askren – the quickest octagon win in history.

But with a UFC welterweight title shot or money-fight against Conor McGregor in sight, Masvidal called out boxing’s biggest star Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.

And having trained in the noble art before his MMA career, winning his sole boxing bout against Joseph Benjamin in 2005, the 34-year-old wants to return to his roots having plotted a shot at the Mexican great well before his UFC 244 victory.

Masvidal’s trainer Mike Brown told SunSport: “He’s mentioned fighting Canelo to me before.

“Whatever brings the biggest money and he’s down the fight anyone, this is business for him.

“Canelo is the guy who interests him the most, he’s the biggest star but also boxing was Jorge’s first love.

“Before he started training in martial arts boxing was what he got into first, it’s the deepest combat sport in his wiring, that’s where he’s most comfortable.”

UFC superstar McGregor swapped the cage for the ring in 2017 in a money-spinning crossover bout with fellow maverick Floyd Mayweather.

The Notorious held his own in the early rounds against the American great, who was well past his prime, but the ex-UFC champion run out of steam before he was stopped in round 10.

And despite four-weight champion Canelo being in his prime, Brown insists Masvidal’s unorthodox striking style and fight IQ would see him outperform McGregor’s unsuccessful debut.

The American Top Team coach said: “Jorge can bring in tricky and unorthodox footwork that Canelo isn’t used to seeing.

“And Conor was doing pretty well early, I know Floyd may have given away rounds to make sure he gassed before taking chances, but early on Conor looked solid.

“But Jorge has maybe the highest fight IQ in the game, and that’s what makes him so special.”

Masvidal, described as one of the most natural boxers in the UFC, told ESPN he has learned from McGregor’s boxing cameo and has the power to put Canelo on his backside.

He said: “In the wake of Conor and Mayweather, it showed me a lot of things that I thought were good and bad.

“I saw they can't read us as well as they can read a boxer. Our movements are different. How we cover distance is different. Those things give them problems.

“I think I can throw enough punches that I can attack Canelo and put him on his ass. I'd be going for the knockout, obviously. Nothing else.

“This is not to disrespect Canelo, because I think the dude is a beast. I think he's a stud. It would be an honour to get in the ring with him.

“But he did say some s*** like no MMA fighter would be a challenge and this and that. I beg to differ.”

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