The UFC’s inaugural BMF champion has revealed who he thinks most closely fits the tag.
Jorge Masvidal stopped Nate Diaz at UFC 244 to shut out a star-making 12 months for ‘Gamebred’. It also ensured that he entered 2020 with a belt around his waist.
A symbolic BMF title was created for that fight. While it was intended to be a one-off, the strap was later resurrected for Dustin Poirier’s rematch against Justin Gaethje in 2023.
It has remained lively since then and now sits within the possession of Charles Oliveira. Masvidal, nonetheless, doesn’t think the Brazilian is the highest BMF currently competing on MMA’s biggest stage.
Name your BMF! 👊
Tell us within the comments which fighter from throughout UFC history most closely fits the BMF tag.
Jorge Masvidal picks Ilia Topuria because the UFC’s true BMF over Alex Pereira
Oliveira beat Max Holloway at UFC 326 in March to grow to be the fourth BMF champion. Many were unhappy with that fight and the way in which during which ‘Do Bronx’ won the belt.
Masvidal has defended Oliveira’s BMF status, however the Brazilian could still only just make the Miami native’s top five in the case of the UFC’s top BMFs.
‘Gamebred’ made his picks during an appearance on Paramount’s Deep Waters podcast and reserved the highest spots for lightweight king Ilia Topuria and up to date light heavyweight champ Alex Pereira.
“I got Ilia, No. 1,” Masvidal said.
“Chama (Pereira), No. 2, because that guy fights. Everybody knows, in Japan, in Korea, it doesn’t matter whether it’s Thailand or Japan. International. He’s a star. He’s an effing star, bro. Like, it’s crazy, man.
“No. 3, I’ll go along with (Khamzat) Chimaev. I feel Chimaev is a large star worldwide,” Masvidal continued. “No. 4, I’m going to throw a curveball at y’all. But I feel especially after his next fight, he’s going to be certainly one of the most important names, Sean Strickland, bro. And he’s got like that whole love and hate. He’s going to be up there.
“No. 5, I’m going to go along with Charles Oliveira. He’s so famous worldwide. He’s got the entire Brazil on his back without even mentioning it.”
Ilia Topuria knocked out Max Holloway when he was the BMF champion
Interestingly, the UFC’s lightweight champion does have a legitimate claim to BMF status.
After unseating Alexander Volkanovski from the featherweight throne, ‘El Matador’ was booked to defend the title against Max Holloway in October 2024.
‘Blessed’ was six months faraway from knocking out Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 to grow to be the third BMF champion, following within the footsteps of ‘The Highlight’ and Masvidal.
Holloway was then brutally KO’d by Topuria, but his symbolic title was not on the road alongside the featherweight championship.
That has not stopped the Spaniard from laying claim to BMF status, something many have backed given his dominant display against the Hawaiian.
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