While fight fans are interested in title fights, sometimes they want to see their favorites fight inside the cage. MMA fighters who put on clinics while showcasing their toughness have been heralded as the ultimate warriors.
The UFC has decided to award those with the grit to produce highlight after highlight each time they fight. After four years, UFC President Dana White is bringing back the BMF Title. The belt will be contested between Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje at UFC 291 on July 29.
UFC 291 takes place at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, and will air on ESPN+ PPV in the U.S.
“I’m excited to return to Salt Lake City, which has one of the nicest arenas in the world, White said. “The fan response last year was incredible, and this time, we’re bringing one of the most anticipated cards of the year with two of the baddest fighters in the world for the BMF title. I want to thank the Utah Sports Commission and Smith Entertainment Group for their continued support. UFC 291 will be one of the biggest events of the year.”
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Gaethje joined the UFC in 2017 and is 7-4 with the promotion. Known as "The Highlight,” Gaethje has won eleven performance bonuses, beating down his opponents while earning a reputation for absorbing punishment in return.
Poirier joined the UFC in 2011 and is 21-6 with the promotion. “The Diamond" is tied for the most Fight of the Night bonuses (8) in UFC history. The two faced one another in 2018, with Poirier winning via TKO.
While the title has not been around long, earning the status of “The BMF” has been met with praise within the MMA community for being unique. Here’s a breakdown of the history of the BMF Belt and what it means to the UFC and the fighters.
What is the BMF Title?
Introduced at UFC 244 in New York City, the belt is known as the “baddest m-----f-----” belt. Unlike regular championships in the UFC, it is a symbolic title known to elevate a beloved fan-favorite due to their toughness.
White formed the belt following a passionate Nate Diaz speech at UFC 241, where he called out Jorge Masvidal. Requesting an East Coast vs. West Coast fight, a bout to determine the “baddest m-----f-----” in the UFC grew into a clash for a title.
"I want to defend my title against Jorge. He's a gangster, but he ain't no West Coast gangster."@NateDiaz209, welcome back! #UFC241 pic.twitter.com/Y5DdHcnwzO
— UFC (@ufc) August 18, 2019
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“So you know when Nate did his interview that night, he basically said this is for the baddest m-----f----- in the game,” White said at a press conference in 2019 via the South China Morning Post. “So you know this is one of those fights that after that interview, it started to build a life of its own through the fans and the media.
“We didn’t seriously start talking about this fight until a couple of weeks later in a matchmaking meeting. And I said to my guys, ‘Listen, tell me if I’m crazy, but what do you think about us actually having a BMF belt?’ My guys loved it. And we started talking about it.”
The UFC went all out for the unveiling of the belt, including having The Rock present it to the winner.
IF YA SMELLLLLLLL @TheRock arrives with the #BMF belt over the shoulder! #UFC244 pic.twitter.com/QtmtsjV5zg
— UFC (@ufc) November 3, 2019
At UFC 244, Jorge Masvidal beat Diaz to become the first BMF Champion. "Gamebred" landed over 112 significant strikes, eventually winning the bout via TKO in round three.
While Masvidal never defended the belt, his status grew from the win. It got proudly displayed in a case at the American Top Team gym where Masvidal trains. When he retired after UFC 287, White decided it was time to revive it.
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“You know, ‘War Room’ s---, every Tuesday,” White stated when asked about reviving the belt via Bloody Elbow. “We’re in there and, as we’re putting that card together for Utah, we thought that Poirier and Gaethje is such an awesome fight. Masvidal retired, so we put the BMF up. You have no idea how many of these fighters want to fight for the BMF title. They all want to fight for that belt. It’s fun, it’s different, so we’ll do it again.”
“When you think about coming up with it the first time, those were the two right guys. And so are these, these are the two right guys for that, too. Whether that thing’s in play or not in play, that fight is what it is. But everybody wants that belt. So, what the hell?”