UFC BMF title history: List of BMF title fights and champions 

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Justin Gaethje is set to defend his BMF title against Max Holloway at UFC 300 [Image Courtesy: @ufc via X/Twitter]

The BMF championship is here to stay. Despite its mixed reception within the MMA community, it made a return at UFC 300, where Justin Gaethje was to defend his platinum title against former featherweight kingpin and high-volume action fighter Max Holloway.

Holloway and Gaethje put on a show for the fans at UFC 300. The former featherweight champion dominated Gaethje, but shocked fans during the final moments of the clash.

'Blessed' was easily winning the fight but asked Gaethje to duke it out during the final 10 seconds of the fifth round. Holloway got the win in the end after a stunning KO of Gaethje in the final second of the fight, and becoming the new BMF champion.

The bout between Gaethje and Holloway was the third time that the BMF title has been in contention. The prior matchup involving the platinum strap was 'The Highlight's' UFC 291 showdown against fellow former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier.

The pair's fight was over within two rounds, ending with Gaethje knocking Poirier out cold with a head kick. In doing so, he was crowned the BMF champion by none other than previous champion Jorge Masvidal, who first captured the title at UFC 244.

Masvidal faced ex-UFC star Nate Diaz in a bout brimming with star power. Unfortunately for Diaz, he had nothing in his toolbox and was beaten brutally. He was cut open, bruised, and knocked down before a cage-side doctor stepped into the fray to bring an end to the action by declaring Diaz unfit to continue.

He did so as, in his opinion, the cuts the Stockton legend had suffered were too substantial to allow him to continue fighting. The doctor's decision drew a chorus of boos from fans in attendance, and the outcome was initially regarded as controversial. But as time went on, the displeasure over its conclusion waned.

Now, it is remembered as a pivotal night in UFC history, for it was the very first time that a symbolic title represented the sport's toughest and most thrilling action fighters.


How many BMF champions have there been?

Thus far, there have only been four BMF champions in history. The bout at UFC 300 crowned a fourth titleholder, after Max Holloway's win.

Before Gaethje, Jorge Masvidal held the belt, having beaten Nate Diaz for it. However, he never defended it, nor seemed to have any intention to. But upon his retirement from MMA, the UFC reintroduced the title, using it as a promotional tool.

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