When current BMF title holder Max Holloway returns to the octagon in just a few weeks’ time in the dunes of Abu Dhabi, his silver-plated strap won’t be put up for grabs.
Thankfully, one of Max Holloway’s former opponents has a fabulous idea as to how the UFC could identify the promotion’s one true BMF champion; an insane one-night tournament involving four of the most violent men in the entire sport.
Dustin ‘The Diamond’ Poirier calls for a four-man BMF tournament
Speaking with Din Thomas and Alan Jouban via MMA Today, fan-favorite veteran and former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier revealed that he has just six to seven fights left on his current UFC contract.
However, at 35 years old and with 31 fights in the UFC, ‘The Diamond’ doesn’t wish to put his body through the strain of competing in the octagon five or six more times – luckily, he has a fantastic idea that could see him ending his legendary career on a history-making high.
A few weeks ago, it was suggested that the UFC could run a four-man tournament with the BMF title on the line; a Grand Prix of sorts that could include Max Holloway vs Dan Hooker, followed by Poirier against Justin Gaethje with the winners facing off in the grand finale.
“I’m in,” wrote Poirier on X in response to the idea, now explaining to Thomas and Jouban why such a proposal should be taken seriously by the promotion.
“Now that excites me, that excites me because that kind of stuff is for the dogs,” teased the legendary Louisiana native, explaining how “That’s like old Pride days, Grand Prix’s – you know that’s some real BMF.
“If you can fight in a tournament, one night against multiple opponents, dude that’s the definition of BMF.”
When asked whether he’d be willing to put his body through the heightened strain of competing twice in one night, Poirier noted that such a tournament would be one of the few things that he’d be open to fighting through.
Dana White ‘loves’ Dustin Poirier’s idea of a four-man BMF tournament
Given what a four-man tournament between the four BMF contenders could look like, the global MMA fanbase has become enamored with the idea of the UFC putting together a Pride-style one-night Grand Prix.
“The UFC should stop at nothing to deliver this,” wrote reporter Jed Meshew, adding how the promotion could “Bump the PPV price to $200, I don’t care. But for the love of all things holy and unholy, please, give us this.”
Thankfully, Dana White has also now given his seal of approval on the proposed idea of the four-man BMF tournament.
The UFC CEO told reporters after this week’s episode of Dana White’s Contender Series that the idea “Sounds fun,” and that “I never thought about it, but I love it.”
The current BMF title holder, Max Holloway, is set to face UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria later this month at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi; however, the silver-plated strap won’t be up for grabs.
Should Holloway reclaim the 145lb title, don’t be surprised if ‘Blessed’ brings up the idea of the four-man tournament in his post-fight speech.