It’s Time The UFC Abolish The BMF Title?

Last night Charles Oliveira reached the top of the UFC ladder after beating Max Holloway via unanimous decision to claim the BMF title. Oliveira who was former UFC lightweight champion returned to winning ways after a sensational display of grappling and ground control in his hopes to be contesting for the title once again, but with split opinions and thoughts on the fight itself, it may be time to completely abolish the BMF title in the UFC.

When the BMF title was brought into the UFC, it epitomised what guys like Max Holloway, Nate Diaz, and Jorge Mavidal were all about. Guys like Justin Gaethje who hit hard, brawl, make fights rough and violent, that is what the BMF title aimed to bring to the UFC, but now, it seems it has lost its purpose. When Max Holloway knocked out Justin Gaethje with that insane last second knockout to become BMF champion, that was probably when the title was at its peak. The fighters competing for the title were what it represented, but with Oliveira now hoisting the belt, it looks to be becoming more and more irrelevant.

The BMF gimmick itself is very unique to the UFC, but in a promotion that is built on having a wide range of fighting styles and unique fighters, having a belt purely for stand and bang, violent fighters can only go so far, and last night's bout highlighted how they may have reached the end of the road with it.

Oliveira who has always been one of the best jiu jitsu and grapplers in the UFC really put on show what he could do last night, but worthy of a BMF title? Not really. Holloway who is widely regarded as the best boxer in the UFC was probably the best guy you could have holding that title, and last night's fight didn't deserve to be called a Championship fight, it did not represent a BMF fight at all, and it seems now the gimmick has been totally diluted.

With Oliveira now holding the title, where do you go from there? Holloway has had his time, Gaethje is on to better things, Poirier is retired, and that leaves guys like Connor McGregor and Paddy Pimblett. With how tough the lightweight division is, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a guy like Paddy Pimblett take himself down the BMF route, but as a whole, it should be put to bed, and the BMF title should end with Charles Oliveira.