Jorge Masvidal wants the UFC’s BMF title to keep rolling, and he’s pointing to Charles Oliveira’s recent run as proof the belt still means something.
Masvidal, who became the inaugural BMF champion in November 2019 by defeating Nate Diaz via doctor’s stoppage TKO at UFC 244, reacted to Oliveira’s unanimous decision win over Max Holloway at UFC 326 in March. The fight was grappling-heavy, with nearly 21 minutes of control time, and some analysts called for the BMF title to be retired afterward.
Masvidal disagrees.
"You get another BMF fight going, and that's all you can do – you can't end it now," Masvidal said, defending Oliveira’s performance. "I think it's still very BMF. Maybe people don't like the style, but Charles was trying to end him the whole time. It wasn't like he was a crotch sniffer and in halfway situations and just holding on for dear life and was in half guard and literally holding and not trying to pass and not trying to hold. He was never doing that, at least in my eyes. He was getting to good positions, he was elbowing him and stuff. That's not in any way a bad performance."
The BMF lineage has now run from Masvidal to Justin Gaethje, then Max Holloway, and currently Charles Oliveira. Oliveira later dropped a split decision to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300 in April 2024, and both lightweights are eyeing the winner of the UFC Freedom 250 lightweight title unification bout between Ilia Topuria and Gaethje.
Looking ahead, Masvidal floated a path to keep the BMF story going through Tsarukyan.
"But if Arman could get out there and make a statement and stop Oliveira in an impressive way – there's no questions asked. You got the BMF belt. And you legit beat the No. 2 or No. 3 contender in the world. You're up for the title, and I don't think nobody can stop that. I think Dana White would be like, 'Yeah, it just makes sense.'"
