5 UFC stars who should fight for the BMF belt in 2025
The UFC's symbolic BMF championship has long been a subject of allure as well as criticism. Certain critics argue that it's a rather redundant title that mustn't be beheld with the same reverence as one does the undisputed UFC title in any given weight class.
Alternatively, supporters of the BMF belt and its concept of pitting the grittiest deemed fighters against each other for it often highlight that all BMF title matchups have featured highly accomplished fighters. Also, each BMF fight has been thrilling and violent in its own way.
There have been three BMF title fights thus far -- the first in November 2019, the second in July 2023, and the third in April 2024. The point to be noted is that the UFC has chosen to book BMF fights at least once per year since 2023. And that is incredibly telling!
All signs point toward the UFC likely organizing at least one, perhaps even more, BMF title fights on an annual basis moving forward. Today, we look at five UFC stars who should surely fight for the BMF belt in 2025.
#5. Ilia Topuria
Ilia Topuria won the UFC featherweight title by dethroning Alexander Volkanovski via KO in February 2024 and defended the title by knocking out BMF champion Max Holloway in October. He's the first to knock the legendarily durable Holloway out.
Nevertheless, since Holloway's BMF title wasn't on the line, Topuria wasn't crowned the BMF champion. It's only fair that 'El Matador' officially receives a shot at the BMF belt. He doesn't necessarily have to fight the reigning BMF champion, Holloway.
But here's where things get interesting... Topuria has been lobbying for a shot at Islam Makhachev's UFC lightweight title, whereas Makhachev has been campaigning for a shot at Belal Muhammad's UFC welterweight title. Also, Holloway has announced he's moving up from featherweight to lightweight.
Interest in a possible Topuria-Holloway rematch, even in a different weight class, seemingly isn't high enough right now. The Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan rematch goes down in January 2025, and Topuria recently suggested he's willing to fight other top lightweights, such as Charles Oliveira, and then fight Makhachev (or perhaps Tsarukyan) for lightweight gold.
If Topuria is adamant about a lightweight move in his quest to become a two-division champion, the UFC could first book him against ex-UFC lightweight champion Oliveira in a BMF title fight.
#4. Max Holloway if ...
Max Holloway's momentum seemed at an all-time high when he scored a fifth-round KO against Justin Gaethje in their lightweight bout at UFC 300 in April 2024, capturing the BMF belt from Gaethje. Unfortunately, Holloway's momentum took a major hit in his next octagon appearance, as Ilia Topuria knocked him out at featherweight.
Holloway is still officially the BMF champion, and a featherweight or lightweight title shot is unfeasible so soon after such a devastating defeat. 'Blessed' has vowed to return to his winning ways, and the belief is that he'll need to rack up a few wins before a potential title shot at lightweight.
If the UFC books Topuria to defend his featherweight belt against a top contender like Movsar Evloev or Diego Lopes, the UFC should most definitely book Holloway to defend his BMF title at lightweight. Lightweight is a shark tank with various exciting fighters like Rafael Fiziev, Dan Hooker, and many more.
Intriguingly, lightweight mainstay Michael Chandler, who previously claimed he was offered a BMF showdown against Holloway, recently reaffirmed his interest in fighting Holloway for the BMF title!
The consensus is that one of the main criteria for qualifying to compete in a BMF fight isn't being the winningest but rather being a high-risk, entertaining fan favorite. Holloway qualifies, Chandler qualifies, and booking a Holloway-Chandler BMF showdown is a no-brainer.
#3. UFC megastars Jorge Masvidal and Conor McGregor
In November 2019, Jorge Masvidal won the inaugural BMF title by beating Nate Diaz via third-round TKO, courtesy of a cut over Diaz's eye. Masvidal hasn't won since. 'Gamebred' even lost to Diaz in their boxing match in July 2024.
Masvidal retired from MMA after being outpointed by Gilbert Burns in April 2023, but he announced that he's unretiring and returning in 2025. Many expect his comeback in 2025's first quarter, perhaps against longtime rival Leon Edwards.
Furthermore, ex-UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor is expected to return in 2025. UFC CEO and president Dana White has maintained that McGregor could likely return in late 2025.
Some have argued that McGregor's recent legal issues might hinder his fight plans. However, he's claimed to be in talks for an exhibition boxing match against Logan Paul in India in 2025. Masvidal and McGregor have long been at loggerheads. At this point in their careers, being on losing streaks, they're unlikely to be booked in a title UFC title fight right away.
In 2020, many fans implored the UFC to book a BMF title showdown between Masvidal and McGregor. Well, as the adage goes: Better late than never. Masvidal and McGregor are fight game legends and deserve the chance to settle their feud inside the octagon. What better way to do it than by having the BMF belt at stake, ideally in late 2025?
#2. Alex Pereira
Alex Pereira is a former Glory middleweight and light heavyweight champion, a former UFC middleweight champion, and the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion. 'Poatan' is fresh off a fourth-round TKO victory against Muay Thai savant Khalil Rountree Jr. in October 2024.
Though Magomed Ankalaev is viewed as the clear-cut number-one contender for Pereira's title, that matchup hasn't been officially announced yet. Pereira also recently indicated that Ankalaev isn't next for him. The Dagestani fighter hit back by labeling him a "chicken." As such, speculation has abounded as to whether Pereira is taking a detour and, indeed, trying his hand at heavyweight.
Pereira has long been teasing a move up to heavyweight, as he aims to become the first three-division UFC champion. UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has long called for a super-fight against Pereira, but Dana White has maintained that Jones' next fight would be a title unifier against interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall.
All things considered, the UFC could possibly book Pereira in a BMF title fight, ideally against a fellow striker like Derrick Lewis or Tai Tuivasa, provided they aren't already booked. It'll help Pereira gauge his abilities at heavyweight. Should he win, he could finally go for the UFC heavyweight title against the Jones-Aspinall winner as the BMF champion.
#1 Dustin Poirier and Nate Diaz
Dustin Poirier and Nate Diaz have been rivals for many years. They were booked to clash in a lightweight bout in November 2018, but Poirier withdrew owing to a hip injury. 'The Diamond' has, time and again, traded barbs with Diaz in the ensuing years. Poirier subsequently won the interim UFC lightweight title and failed thrice in his attempts to capture the undisputed UFC lightweight title.
On the other hand, Diaz competed at welterweight, with his most recent MMA bout being a submission win over Tony Ferguson in September 2022. Diaz then departed the UFC, competed in boxing matches against Jake Paul and Jorge Masvidal, and notably expressed interest in a UFC comeback in 2024.
Poirier has strongly hinted that he's likely to retire soon. He recently teased that he'll compete in one more fight, and UFC boss Dana White also hinted at having something in store for the Louisianian. Incidentally, Poirier competed in the second-ever BMF title fight, facing Justin Gaethje in a rematch in July 2023 and losing via knockout.
'The Diamond' is a veteran fan-favorite fighter, as is Nate Diaz. A BMF title showdown between them would be the ideal UFC farewell for Poirier and a great UFC comeback for Diaz.