Tag: BMF title

JNPO: The MMA year in review, pt. 3

Posted on by Josh Nason

The third installment in my Josh Nason’s Punch-Out four-part MMA year in review series rolls on with a look at July, August & September 2023.

Joining me as always is Paul Fontaine of the In The Clinch podcast, The Dynamite Show, and wrestling TV ratings writer for this very website.

It was a month of big business for the UFC as they held four pay-per-views from Las Vegas, Utah, Boston, and Australia that generated over $30 million in gate revenue.

The quarter saw Sean Strickland upset Israel Adesanya for the UFC middleweight title, Alexandre Pantoja win his first UFC flyweight title, and Sean O’Malley finally climb to the top of the UFC bantamweight mountain.

Robbie Lawler retired in spectacular fashion, there was a major development in the Cung Le vs. UFC class action lawsuit, the UFC held their first-ever Noche UFC event to big acclaim, and tons more.

If you missed any of the series, check out the archives.

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Dustin Poirier & Justin Gaethje to fight for revived UFC BMF title

Posted on by Josh Nason

The ceremonial BMF title has been revived by the UFC.

Announced Tuesday night, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje will fight for what they are calling the “vacant” title at UFC 291 on Saturday, July 29th in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The belt (short for “Baddest Motherf*cker”) was first competed for at UFC 244 in November 2019 in a fight between Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz. The Rock presented the belt to Masvidal after he picked up the victory.

Masvidal never defended the title even though he said as recently as last month that he would be interested in doing so. He said he was retiring after a loss to Gilbert Burns in April.

Poirier last fought in November 2022, picking up a win over Michael Chandler in a fight of the year candidate. He first fought Gaethje in April 2018, picking up a fourth round TKO win. 

Gaethje was last seen defeating Rafael Fiziev by majority decision in March.

The co-main event for the pay-per-view will feature former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz take on former UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira as the latter competes at 205 pounds for the first time.

The event will also feature Tony Ferguson who has been in the news after being arrested for a DUI, Derrick Lewis, Michael Chiesa, Paulo Costa and Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson.

Dana White unveils BMF belt for Diaz-Masvidal UFC 244 winner

Posted on by Josh Nason

What started as a throwaway comment by Nate Diaz has evolved into a physical championship that will be contested over Saturday night at UFC 244.

On Friday afternoon, UFC president Dana White unveiled the BMF belt, short for “bad motherf*cker”, to the media, the ceremonial title that will be given to the winner of Saturday’s Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal main event at New York City’s Madison Square Garden.

Only a BMF can earn this belt! #UFC244pic.twitter.com/VqOiQ0vlKk

— UFC (@ufc) November 1, 2019

White told the media that the title cost $50,000 to create, their most expensive ever. It was also done with the quickest turnaround time. He added that “it’s not a bright, flashy, frilly belt” and that “dark and ominous” looks reminds him of the Oakland Raiders.

After a three-year absence from the sport, Diaz returned in August at UFC 241 with a unanimous decision win over Anthony Pettis. In his post-fight promo, he called out Jorge Masvidal and mentioned defending “his belt” which he called “the baddest motherf*cker in the game belt” at a post-fight press conference.

On Twitter, Masvidal played it up and campaigned for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to present it to the winner. Johnson eventually accepted and will indeed do that Saturday night. White said this will not be a regularly defended title and that this is a one-off.

However, Conor McGregor chimed in after the belt was defended, tweeting “Tell them I want it spit shined” and “Now make me a coolest motherf*cker belt also.”