The UFC’s original ‘BMF’ had no issue with how Charles Oliveira won the title.
Oliveira became the newest fighter to carry the symbolic belt after emerging victorious from the UFC 326 important event in early March.
On the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Oliveira defeated Max Holloway of their rematch, utilizing a control-heavy approach to earn a lopsided unanimous decision verdict.
But that triumph was not met with resounding praise for ‘Do Bronx’, as many were left frustrated along with his strategy.
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Jorge Masvidal defends Charles Oliveira’s BMF-title winning performance against Max Holloway
Given what the BMF title stands for, plenty of individuals within the mixed martial arts community were expecting a much different fight when Oliveira and Holloway ran it back on March 7.
In truth, the bout was so disappointing that many fans are even pitching BMF rule changes. Things akin to a stand-and-bang stipulation and the title only changing hands via stoppages have been proposed within the weeks since UFC 326.
On the subject of Oliveira’s performance, nonetheless, the inaugural BMF champ sees things in a different way.
“I believe it’s still very BMF,” Masvidal said on The Bohnfire podcast with reporter Mike Bohn.
“Perhaps people don’t just like the style, but Charles was attempting to end him the entire time. It wasn’t like he was a crotch sniffer, where he was attending to halfway situations and just holding on for dear life.
“He was never doing that,” Masvidal continued. “He was attending to good positions, either elbowing him or going for submissions. That’s not in any way a nasty performance.
“People say that BMFs are alleged to just stand and strike. I see that time. But on Charles Oliveira’s part, Max had made him quit some years ago… To come back back, full circle, and beat the guy that made you quit. That’s a BMF.
“Props to Charles, and I dumped the home on Max… Man, I lost quite a lot of money there.”
The UFC does prohibit athletes from betting on the promotion’s fights. While Masvidal retired in 2023, his contract remains to be energetic and he’s targeting a comeback in 2026.
The BMF title was created for Masvidal’s UFC 244 showdown with Nate Diaz.
Each men undoubtedly fit the BMF requirements, as have the likes of Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier in subsequent fights for the symbolic belt.
Oliveira’s status as BMF champ has divided opinion, though, and it stays to be seen whether the Brazilian will get the prospect to defend the title down the road.
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