The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is known for its traditional championship structure, where belts are only awarded to fighters within specific weight divisions and based on rankings and winning streaks. However, once in a while, the UFC creates something different – the BMF belt. This unique belt does not follow the usual norms and has its own distinct history, meaning, and champions. In this article, we will take a closer look at the BMF belt and all that it represents within the world of UFC.
First, let’s understand what BMF stands for – Baddest Mother F*****. This term was coined by UFC president Dana White during the promotion of the fight between Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal at UFC 244 in November 2019. The fight was marketed as the “BMF Title” fight, and the winner would be crowned the “Baddest Mother F*****,” making it one of the most highly anticipated fights in UFC history.
The BMF belt was created as a one-time-only trophy to be awarded to the winner of the highly anticipated matchup between Diaz and Masvidal. However, the popularity of the belt and the fight itself led to the UFC continuing to award the belt to future BMF title fights, making it a coveted and prestigious title in the UFC.
So, how is the BMF belt different from other belts in the UFC? First, it is not tied to any particular weight class. This means that fighters from different weight divisions can compete for the BMF belt, making for exciting matchups and creating a sense of unpredictability. Secondly, the BMF belt does not follow traditional rankings. Instead, it is about the fighters’ reputation, charisma, and ability to entertain the fans, making it a fan-favorite title. It is not just about winning; it’s about being the baddest and most exciting fighter in the UFC.
Now, let’s dive into the history of the BMF belt. As mentioned earlier, the belt was first introduced in the build-up to the fight between Diaz and Masvidal. The two fighters are known for their no-nonsense attitude, trash-talking, and exciting fighting styles, making them the perfect candidates for the BMF title fight. In a five-round battle, Masvidal emerged victorious, earning the BMF belt and cementing his name in UFC history.
The second BMF title fight took place in December 2020 between two fan-favorite fighters, Marvin Vettori and Kevin Holland. Vettori, known for his tough fighting style and outspoken personality, was the clear favorite to win the BMF belt. However, it was Holland who put on an impressive performance, earning a unanimous decision victory and becoming the second BMF champion.
Most recently, in April 2021, the BMF belt was on the line in a welterweight matchup between Masvidal and Kamaru Usman. The rematch between the two fighters was highly anticipated, with Masvidal looking for redemption after his loss in their first matchup. However, it was Usman who dominated the fight, retaining his welterweight title and earning the BMF belt, making him the third BMF champion in UFC history.
So, what does the BMF belt mean to the fighters and the UFC? For the fighters, the belt represents their reputation and ability to entertain the fans. It is a title that is not just about winning, but also about being the baddest and most exciting fighter in the UFC. For the UFC, the BMF belt is a marketing tool that generates excitement and buzz around the fights. It also allows for exciting matchups between fighters from different weight classes, creating new rivalries and storylines.
In conclusion, the BMF belt is a unique and exciting addition to the UFC’s championship structure. It represents the baddest and most entertaining fighters in the UFC and has become a highly coveted title among the fighters and fans. With three champions already crowned, we can only imagine the future BMF title fights and the new BMF champions that will emerge. So, brace yourself for more BMF battles and get ready to witness history being made in the world of UFC.
