So They're Actually Trying to Pass Off the Fake UFC Belt as PPV Main Event-Worthy Now?

[Ajax41]

So what does the BMF "belt" add?

Just put Dustin vs Max in a cage and put it in the main event and offer them big money to put on a brutal clinic, right?

Cardboard belts don't really do it for me.

It’s a promotional tool. The belt is an afterthought. It’s a way to brand this as a standout unique event. It does that. Branding is important to establish stakes. It’s like those regular season classics games they do in hockey. Still a regular season game with some pomp and circumstances for the players and fans to enjoy. From what I’ve seen no one is acting like it is more than that.

 

[Substance Abuse]

It’s a promotional tool. The belt is an afterthought. It’s a way to brand this as a standout unique event. It does that. Branding is important to establish stakes. It’s like those regular season classics games they do in hockey. Still a regular season game with some pomp and circumstances for the players and fans to enjoy. From what I’ve seen no one is acting like it is more than that.

This guy is making a lot of sense.

 

[Ajax41]

This guy is making a lot of sense.

Solid chap

 

[honzo]

Some title fights are bollox though, I dont think there should be a rule that EVERY PPV should be headlined by a title fight.

 

[Mmmmmmma1234]

UFC 318: Holloway vs Poirier for the BMF "title", really?

Holloway vs Gaethje is virtually the same level of fight and wasn't even co-main at UFC 300, albeit that was a super stacked mega card.

Still...

It's not a real title fight.

I also can't see a real title fight that fell off the card, either.

I haven't paid attention, what's Sherdog's thoughts on this? Furious? Happy? Buying? Not buying?

Are you new?
This is literally the 3rd PPV headlined by the BMF. UFC 291, UFC 244, and now UFC 318 get with the times brah.

 

[El Fernas]

At least a real belt was up for grabs with implications for both guys & the division based on the outcome.

Both are company belts, both are as real as the company says they are...

 

[CerebralKnievel]

like who?
Costa vs Kopylov?
Michael Johnson vs Zellwhatever?
Vettori vs Allen?

There's only 3 fights that will be exciting or has the potential to be great fights & they are Dustin/Max, Pitbull/Ige, & Phillips/Oliveira.

This forum loves to delusionally obsess over the weird belief that Costa is some sort of epic fighter.

 

[SamuraiBro]

Should have just called it the Super Fight belt like they had in the 90’s. BMF is cringe as fuck.

 

[sdpdude9]

Yeah you can have boring title fights and exciting lower-level fights, but overall, I'm much more excited when there are title fights and high-level contender matchups. I think they should save these kinds of fights for non-PPVs with the exception of the main event.

I’m with you. Think PPVs should primarily be the top level, relevant fights. The fun, yet not very relevant fights should be on Fight Nights, maybe a couple on PPV prelims.

I just think the supposed premier events should feature the premier fighters. Any card can have fun irrelevant match ups, but if you’re charging top dollar it should be fights that actually matter.

 

[Danespina]

This is literally the 3rd PPV headlined by the BMF. UFC 291, UFC 244, and now UFC 318.

Yeah. There was only one time where it WASN'T the main event.

 

[leto1776]

Did you just wake up from a 6 year coma? The BMF title was created to sell two failed contenders as ppv main event worthy. This is nothing new.

 

[USCinSC890]

I always felt it was just a one off thing that the winner of a particular match gets as a trinket the way they gave those trophies away after some PRIDE matches. Congrats you won a significant match against another popular opponent have this belt to commemorate your victory, but you aren't a champion of anything, I have yet to see BMF rankings on the UFC site.

 

[markg171]

Both are company belts, both are as real as the company says they are...

Not really no. Per the commission rules a championship fight requires hitting the championship weight that the fight's occurring at. The commissions will only recognize a championship as being legit if it meets that weight criteria.

Here Max weighed in at 155 while Dustin weighed in at 156. Dustin "missed" weight yet the belt's still on the line, proving this isn't a real championship fight. As was obvious given Max hasn't had a (BMF) beside his rankings for the last year since winning it, or how it had ever even moved from 170 to 155 in the first place.

THIS is a belt the UFC determines when and isn't real as it's not actually a championship belt. A divisional belt however is sanctified by the commissions ensuring the fights take place at its weight class. The UFC had this problem years ago with Khabib/Al where Al was overweight so couldn't win the belt that night but Dana said if Al won he'd just award him it afterwards outside of fighting to try and get around that legal requirement.

 

[Cartiac]

The only question that actually matters:

Does the BMF "title" trigger championship based bonuses and incentive clauses in their UFC contract?

Anybody know?

I can't tell you for sure, but from the language I have seen it does not. The BMF belt does not carry a champion title that triggers those clauses and the fight is not designated as a title bout.

The UFC contracts I have seen are pretty old and I have never seen an actual bout agreement contract, but that being said I also think those clauses probably don't actually matter that much as they only set minimum terms to start the bout agreement negotiations where the actual terms of the fight are specified.

 

[Rorschachxx]

The only question that actually matters:

Does the BMF "title" trigger championship based bonuses and incentive clauses in their UFC contract?

Anybody know?

Masvidal held the BMF title and was very unhappy with his contract, demanding PPV points which the UFC initially refused. Burns pulled out last minute of the title fight against Usman on the first Fight Island card and the UFC had to budge. Masvidal became one on the very few fighters to get PPV points without holding an actual title.

Not sure if things changed since, but I doubt it honestly. Neither Gathje nor Max got/get chammpionship pay for holding the BMF title. So those championship bonuses don't count for this particular belt it seems.

 

[Cartiac]

Both are company belts, both are as real as the company says they are...

After thinking about this for a minute, it is a very interesting and valid point particularly given the very odd title activity recently. UFC fights are sanctioned by the state commissions but I believe the point you are making and seems to be correct is that there is no actual governance of UFC titles.

 

[wwkirk]

BMF is cringe as fuck.

I agree. Lame insignia. The belt should feature the classic Fuck You hand gesture! The UFC logo can be small, on the top and bottom.

 

[TeenageMutantLesnarTurtle]

BMF belt exists so the UFC can still have all American "title fights"/main events to try and keep the "USA USA" crowds happy. Its a DEI title for guys who cant win real belts anymore, or never could.

 

[empsim]

Bullshit title for fan favorites who can't win the real thing.

Pretty fitting that both guys got finished in their last fight.

 

[whocares]

Hopefully Dustin wins and takes the BMF belt into retirement with him