Justin Gaethje explains the real value of the BMF title ahead of UFC 300

It’s a made-up title with a ridiculous name and was first awarded to Jorge Masvidal by The Rock in 2019. But despite its bizarre origins, the BMF belt has come to mean something.

Justin Gaethje speaks with Joe Rogan after winning the BMF Title. Picture: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

It’s a made-up title with a ridiculous name and was first awarded to Jorge Masvidal by The Rock in 2019.

It was virtually ignored for another four years before Justin Gaethje knocked out Dustin Poirier at UFC 291, but the ‘BMF’ (Bad Mother F***er) title is on the line again at UFC 300 this weekend.

UFC 300: PEREIRA V HILL | SUN 14 APR | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports. Main Event on Kayo Sports and Foxtel is the new exclusive home of UFC Pay-Per-View events!

Despite its bizarre origins, the belt has come to mean something.

To fans and to the men who fight for it, the BMF title bestows a legitimacy that isn’t necessarily reflected in rankings, world titles or knockouts.

It’s about excitement. It’s about honouring the fighters who put on the best fights, and who are less concerned with losing than with putting on a show.

Justin Gaethje and Max Holloway will be fighting for the BMF belt at UFC 300. Picture: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

“Being on the list of names considered for that type of fight means you’re a fighter’s fighter,” Dustin Poirier, who fought Justin Gaethje for the belt last year, tells this masthead.

“It’s about people who are fun to watch, people who bring it every time.

“Those are the types of guys who will fight for that belt.”

Poirier, Masvidal and Diaz all epitomise that style of fighting.

And this weekend, at UFC 300, Gaethje will take on Max Holloway in the UFC’s third ever BMF title fight.

“It’s not an undisputed belt, but since I won it, I’ve noticed a difference in interactions with the fans,” Gaethje tells this masthead. “They respect it. They love it, and that’s why I fight – the respect and love of the fans.

“It’s special to me too, and it’ll be special when I’m done.

“Only big, recognised and established names have fought for it, and I think that brings legitimacy in the eyes of the fans.

“To be on the same list as those guys is awesome, because they’re legends.”

Gaethje celebrates after beating Poirier for the BMF belt last year. Picture: Chris Gardner/Getty Images

Only the second man to hold the title after Masvidal, Gaethje will become the first man to defend it this weekend.

“I’m trying to build a legacy and these are the stories that build that,” he says. “If I die before I make it to the Hall of Fame, it’ll be part of my funeral speech.

“If I make it to the Hall of Fame, it’ll be part of my induction speech.”

In Holloway, Gaethje has the perfect dance partner for what shapes as a potential Fight of the Night contender.

In a card stacked with 12 current or former UFC champions, the BMF title fight is arguably the most intriguing bout of the night.

One of the greatest featherweights of all time, Holloway is moving up to lightweight for the second time since his 2019 interim title tilt against Poirier.

This the around though, Holloway has had much more time to prepare for the jump up in weight, and Gaethje knows he’s in for a fight.

“Max Holloway wasn’t on my radar at all – I have enough guys at lightweight to worry about before I start looking at guys in different weight classes,” he says. “I’ve been a fan of Max since before I was even in the UFC.

“He’s younger than me, but he’s been in the UFC for six or seven years longer than me.

“He’s a guy I was watching, and it’s been a testament to my hard work that I can even fight someone like Max.

“No one’s ever knocked him out, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Originally published as Justin Gaethje explains the real value of the BMF title ahead of UFC 300