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Today β€” 18 March 2026Main stream

Former UFC champ likes the idea of 'BMF' belt but last 'BMF' fight fell short

The UFC debuted the 'Baddest Motherf**ker' title at UFC 244 in November 2019, and pitted Nate Diaz against Jorge Masvidal in the inaugural fight with symbolic belt on the line. Masvidal captured the title by stopping Diaz via doctor stoppage due to a cut at the concussion of the third round.

The 'BMF' belt was then held by current interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, who knocked out Dustin Poirier at UFC 291 to earn it. Gaethje was booked to defend the pseudo-championship against former featherweight champion Max Holloway at UFC 300. The fight ended in a highlight reel knockout for the Hawaiian. Holloway became the first fighter to defend the 'BMF' title defeating Poirier at UFC 318.

Holloway took on former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira in the UFC 326 main event earlier this month looking to defend the symbolic title a second time. Oliveira dominated Holloway with takedowns and grappling on his way to a unanimous decision win. Some didn't think Oliveira's approach to the fight was representative of what the 'BMF' belt means. One of those critics was former middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis.

"Charles Oliveira did something to Max that we've never seen before," Du Plessis told Fight Forecast and Betway South Africa. "Charles, his wrestling and grappling is world class even among world class athletes."

"I think if you're looking from a technical standpoint, he won that fight," said Du Plessis. "Charles Oliveira shut him down completely. Was it a BMF title fight? I don't think so. I mean, that's not what the BMF represents."

"Charles Oliveira did an incredible job," Du Plessis continued. "I'm not bashing him at all. I'm just saying, what that belt represents is not what that was. He did what he had to to win that, but that kind of takes away the whole BMF thought for that belt."

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Former UFC champion: 'Alex Pereira is the greatest combat athlete to ever live'

Former UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis bestowed some high praise on former two-division titleholder Alex Pereira.

Most people consider Jon Jones the greatest mixed martial artist of all time, but who's the greatest combat sports athlete is another debate altogether.

Olympic gold medalist and former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo believes he's earned that boast. Two-time Olympic gold medalist and current UFC women's bantamweight titleholder Kayla Harrison has staked claim to the distinction.

While both have a resume worthy, former UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis considers Pereira the combat sports GOAT.

"Listen, just Alex Pereira is one of the greatest. I've said this for a long time, if not - No, the greatest combat athlete to ever live in my opinion," du Plessis told Fight Forecast and Betway South Africa.

"Alex Pereira to this point - The GOAT of course being Jon Jones, the GOAT of the UFC. I'm taking about across the board. Going, doing what he did in kickboxing, coming to the UFC in such a short period of time, and now challenging for his third title. I mean, that's unheard of."

Pereira relinquished his light heavyweight championship to move up to the heavyweight division to chase history. "Poatan" takes on former interim heavyweight titleholder Ciryl Gane in an interim title bout at the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House with the possibility of becoming the only fighter to win three UFC divisional championships. Du Plessis predicted Pereira will achieve history on June 14.

"I have him winning the fight," du Plessis said. "I'm backing Alex Pereira in this fight. I hope he wins the fight, and I think he is going to win that fight. He's huge. He's huge. He doesn't look small against Gane."

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