Jorge Masvidal isn’t happy with how the UFC has handled his career, it would seem.

Masvidal (28-8 MMA, 5-1 UFC) told MMAjunkie Radio he was frustrated the UFC was not giving him a “marquee matchup” the way that he belives other fighters who came over from Strikeforce have gotten.

Masvidal is also confused why the promotion is so hesitant to allow him to fight Donald Cerrone, a fight both men have agreed to on multiple occasions and would likely be entertaining for the fans.

“He agreed and I agreed a while back,” Masvidal said. “Usually if you’ve got two ranked fighters that want to fight each other – especially guys like me and him that are just going to fight – usually it happens. And then, twice when we agree because we both have mutual opponents fall out, now we can’t get the fight going. I don’t know what’s going on. Somebody that makes the higher decisions doesn’t want that fight going down for some reason.”

The promotion didn’t go for the idea of Cerrone as an opponent, instead matching Masvidal up with Al Iaquinta. It’s matchmaking that doesn’t exactly thrill the lightweight.

“He’s taking a couple steps up and I’m taking a few steps back,” Masvidal said. “The kid’s talented and all, but I’ve got no business fighting this guy, you know? People are making a big deal because he beat Joe Lauzon. Welcome to the club, man. I kicked that dude’s ass eight years ago.”

Iaquinta (11-3-1 MMA, 6-2 UFC) stopped Lauzon in the second round at UFC 18,3 while Masvidal picked up his own second round TKO of Lauzon in April 2005.

Masvidal has only dropped one fight in his time in the UFC and is currently riding a three-fight winning streak. He still doesn’t believe he’s been given the same opportunities as other former Strikeforce fighters.

“Everybody from Strikeforce coming over got a marquee matchup,” Masvidal said. “Everybody from the bottom feeders to the decent guys to the A-level guys. And, maybe I wasn’t a champ – I fought for the title, wasn’t a champ – but I wasn’t a bottom feeder. I thought I should have gotten a marquee matchup long ago. I’m seven fights in now and I’m still fighting dudes who I don’t even know who the f-ck he is. I’ve never seen this dude fight in my life.”

Masvidal and Iaquinta will meet at UFC Fight Night 63 on April 4 at Patriot Center in Fairfax, Va.

A win against Iaquinta, a fighter with a three-fight winning streak, would be big, but Masvidal’s frustrations were evident when asked how many fights away from a title shot he believes he’d be should he win in April.

“Maybe 15 fights, at this rate,” Masvidal said. “It’s a blessing and a curse. I feel like I’ve gotta fight every dude that stepped foot on ‘The Ultimate Fighter.’ If you were in ‘The Ultimate Fighter’? I’ve gotta fight your ass. For some reason, that’s the title they’re giving me: ‘The Ultimate Fighter Destroyer.’ But f-ck it; it’s easy paychecks. I ain’t complaining because it’s keeping food on the table. But it’s just not the competition I’m looking for.”

For more on UFC Fight Night 63, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

MMAjunkie Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show, available on SiriusXM channel 92, is hosted by “Gorgeous” George Garcia and producer Brian “Goze” Garcia. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.