Jorge Masvidal doesn’t want the BMF era to end with Charles Oliveira.
Masvidal became the inaugural BMF titleholder in November 2019 when he defeated Nate Diaz by doctor’s stoppage TKO at UFC 244. It’s lineage has continued with Justin Gaethje, Max Holloway and now Oliveira, who beat “Blessed” by unanimous decision at UFC 326 in March in a much-maligned fight.
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Oliveira”s grappling-heavy approach that resulted in nearly 21 minutes of control time led to a range of narratives, a prominent one of which was that the performance did embody the spirit of what the organically made BMF belt was meant to stand for.
Some post-fight analysts even called for the BMF title to be moved into retirement after Oliveira’s win, but Masvidal is firmly against that and defended Oliveira against critics.
“You get another BMF fight going, and that’s all you can do – you can’t end it now,” Masvidal told MMA Junkie. “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.
“I think what people changed with the BMF is you’re just supposed to stand there and strike. Yes, I can see that point, as well. But on Charles Oliveira’s part, I mean, Max had made him quit some years ago. To come back now full circle and be able to beat the guy that made you quit? That’s a BMF in itself. The style of the fight wasn’t my favorite, but props to Charles. And I dumped the house on Max.”
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Masvidal sees an easy next BMF matchup for the UFC to make, too, and that would be a rematch between Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan, who defeated “Do Bronx” by split decision at UFC 300 in April 2024.
Although Oliveira and Tsarukyan are both eyeing the winner of the UFC Freedom 250 headliner and lightweight title unification bout between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje, there’s an argument both could do more to improve their standing with the UFC to be the clear next contender.
Tsarukyan’s differences with the UFC are well documented by this point, and Masvidal, who has moved into an analyst role on YouTube as well as with Paramount/UFC, sees this a the perfect way to prove himself.
“The first fight was close,” Masvidal said. “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.'”
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To hear more from Masvidal, check out his complete appearance on “The Bohnfire” podcast with MMA Junkie senior reporter Mike Bohn above.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Jorge Masvidal says UFC should keep BMF title, names worthy challenger
