UFC CEO Dana White has given the nod to an idea pitched by Dustin Poirier—a four-man tournament to crown the true “Baddest Motherf*cker” in mixed martial arts.
During an appearance on SiriusXM’s MMA Today podcast, Poirier, a three-time UFC lightweight title contender, shared his thoughts on what could be the ultimate showdown in MMA. Poirier suggested that a four-man tournament would be the best way to determine who really deserves the title of BMF.
Poirier’s excitement was clear as he explained the concept.
“That excites me,” Poirier said. “That kind of stuff is for the dogs. That’s like old Pride days or Grand Prix. That’s a real BMF. If you can fight a tournament in one night, multiple opponents, that’s the definition of BMF.”
He added that having such a tournament in one night would be the ultimate test.
“That would be it. If they put that together, and it was a one-night tournament, that would be it.”
Dana White Considers Dustin Poirier’s Proposal for a Four-Man BMF Tournament
White was asked about Poirier’s idea during an interview following the latest Dana White’s Contender Series. He made it clear that he liked the idea and seemed on board with the suggestion.
The BMF title, introduced in 2019, has already seen a few changes in ownership. The first-ever champion was Jorge Masvidal, who claimed the title after defeating Nate Diaz by a third-round doctor’s stoppage at UFC 266. Masvidal never got the chance to defend the belt, as he decided to step away from the sport after suffering a string of four losses in a row.
After Masvidal, Justin Gaethje took possession of the BMF belt with a devastating second-round head-kick knockout of Poirier in July 2023. However, Gaethje’s reign as BMF champ was short-lived. Max Holloway took the belt from him after a dramatic, last-second knockout at UFC 300 in April.
Holloway, now holding the BMF title, is scheduled to face Ilia Topuria for the featherweight world championship on October 26 at UFC 308, which is set to take place in Abu Dhabi.
Nate Diaz, who was part of the original BMF title bout, heard about Poirier’s suggestion and had his own thoughts. Diaz chimed in on Instagram, responding to Poirier’s idea but had his own opinion on who should be in the tournament.
UFC Star Nate Diaz Gives his Take on BMF Four Man Tournament
“@DanaWhite, Dan [Hooker] and Max [Holloway] are eligible for my belt,” Diaz wrote. “But get those other [two] nerds out of there, they don’t fit the description.”
Interestingly, Diaz referred to the BMF belt as “my belt” despite never actually winning it. His comment about Poirier and Gaethje not fitting the bill for the title may also raise a few eyebrows, considering both fighters are known for their all-action style and have been fan favorites for years.
Though White didn’t reveal any concrete plans regarding the tournament, his approval of the idea has already sparked interest among fans. With names like Poirier, Holloway, Gaethje, and Diaz involved in the discussion, it’s clear that the UFC could have something huge on their hands if they move forward with the idea.
As it stands, it’ll be interesting to see how the story unfolds and whether the UFC will take Poirier’s suggestion seriously. The idea of a four-man BMF tournament brings a nostalgic feel for fans who remember the Pride days, where one-night tournaments created legends.
Who would you like to see in a four-man tournament? Let us know in the comments!
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
