LAS VEGAS – The BMF title has a short lineage. But every time it’s been on the line to date, a symbolic title presentation has been in store for the winner.
Historically, UFC CEO Dana White is the one to wrap belts around waists. If White is unavailable for whatever reason, that’s where matchmaker Sean Shelby or Mick Maynard comes in. But for the BMF title, it’s different.
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In the inaugural BMF title fight, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson presented Jorge Masvidal with the belt. Masvidal, in turn, presented it to the next winner, Justin Gaethje, who then lost to Max Holloway. When it was time for Holloway to be presented with the title, Mark Coleman did the honors. On Holloway’s first defense vs. Dustin Poirier, rapper Lil Wayne wrapped the belt around him.
Who’s next? If Holloway successfully defends against Charles Oliveira on Saturday at UFC 326 at T-Mobile Arena, he wants the “real” BMF to do it.
“The true BMF,” Holloway said. “If you look at my shirt, the real BMF is my wife. I would love her to wrap the belt around me. So if everything goes great there, you best believe I’m going to be asking Dana White. I’m going to be like, ‘Hey Dana, let my wife do this. She’s the real BMF.’ Everybody thinks I’m the BMF because of the title. You don’t want no smoke with her, I promise.”
Oliveira also wanted the honor to remain in the family.
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“My father,” Oliveira told MMA Junkie through an interpreter Tuesday. “The reality is if my father and my mother hadn’t believed in me and supported me, none of this would’ve ever happened. None of this would be possible. I wouldn’t be here. Having my father put the belt on me, that would be amazing.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Max Holloway reveals who will wrap BMF title around him at UFC 326
