For the better part of this calendar year, Jorge Masvidal and Leon Edwards have engaged in an ongoing war of words. The rivalry stems from a well-documented altercation backstage at UFC on ESPN+ 5 in March, when Masvidal (34-13 MMA, 11-6 UFC) slapped Edwards (18-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC).

A guest fighter at Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 14 in Montevideo, Uruguay, Masvidal didn’t take his foot off the gas in the trashtalk department. The surging welterweight laid into Edwards once again, speaking directly to the Englishman (video via MMA Fighting).

“Gamebred” denied Edwards’ claims Masvidal had recently turned down a fight against him. The 34-year-old welterweight Masvidal made it a point to say if/when the Edwards grudge match does take place, it’ll be on his terms – and his terms only.

“It’s not going to be on his terms or whenever the (expletive) he wants it,” Masvidal said. “It’ll always be on mine. That’s what bothers him so much inside. He’s got to look at this interview and people are going to call him and tell him.

“You’re a (expletive) nobody. I run this show. You listen to me. When I say I’m going to kick your (expletive) ass, I’m going to kick your (expletive) ass. I’m going to get paid now. Like I said, 16 years I’ve been chasing this dream of getting the belt. You think I’m going to let some (expletive) bug like this guy even slightly throw me off my road, my destiny towards my greatness? Towards the belt? I’m going to get the belt and I’m going to eliminate him off the face of the earth.”

Though noncommittal to an immediate matchup with Edwards, Masvidal implied an eventual meeting is inevitable. In the eyes of Masvidal, it’s more of an issue of “when” than “if.” Unimpressed by Edwards’ recent success, Masvidal chose to share a few more choice words directed at his rival.

“I’m so happy that he’s winning,” Masvidal said. “And, I’m so happy that maybe somebody might think he’s a (worthy fight). Because everyone was saying Ben (Askren) was an amazing fighter before I fought him with all this grappling stuff. But after I five-seconded his ass, they’re saying he’s overrated.

“I’m going to beat Leon so bad, they’re going to say the same (expletive) about him. They’re going to say he’s overrated. There’s not one bone in my body that is not agreeing with what I’m saying. I’m going to murder that guy when we fight. He’s a scrub. You are a scrub, Leon, and you (expletive) know it. The fight will take place when I (expletive) say so. So sit there and eat those (expletive) words. I’m going to break that guy’s face.”

It’s been a long road for Masvidal, who has dreamt of UFC championship greatness for the better part of two decades. Now on the verge of a title shot, he stressed the importance of making a calculated decision. With Colby Covington’s title shot against Kamaru Usman looming, Masvidal thinks he might face the winner.

“It would have to exceed expectations by a large number for me not to fight for the title,” Masvidal said. “I’ve been trying to get the title for 16 years now. That’s a lot of summers. A lot of nights. A lot of winters. A lot of running while it’s raining. Sleeping in cars. Sleeping in the gym. Living in different houses. It’s been a long road. I want to get compensated for the incredibly long road. So, if I’m not fighting for the title, obviously I would want to have a very handsome thing.”

Masvidal broke down the situation further, “We could have the next title shot (at) the winner of Colby (Covington) and (Kamaru) Usman. There’s other fights that they have in mind. I’m excited for the options that they’ve given me. We’re now going to run them down a little bit more. We’re just going to create the biggest fight that we possibly can every time that I compete. That’s all I’ve been trying to do since I got into the UFC.”