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Daniel Cormier digs at ex-UFC star Jorge Masvidal, says BMF title will now ‘Mean something’ amid his retirement

Jorge Masvidal BMF title will mean something now he's retired UFC Daniel Cormier Daniel Cormier says the BMF championship will finally mean something now that Jorge Masvidal doesn’t have it. On July 29, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje will square off in a long-awaited rematch, headlining the promotion’s return to Salt Lake City. Adding to the intrigue of the contest, the two leather-slinging lightweights will battle it out […]

Daniel Cormier says the BMF championship will finally mean something now that Jorge Masvidal doesn’t have it.

On July 29, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje will square off in a long-awaited rematch, headlining the promotion’s return to Salt Lake City. Adding to the intrigue of the contest, the two leather-slinging lightweights will battle it out for the vacant BMF title.

The BMF championship was first introduced when self-proclaimed “bad motherf*cker” Nate challenged “another bad motherf*cker” named Jorge Masvidal. Shortly after, the two men were booked for a main event clash at UFC 244, but with no legitimate UFC championship on the line, the promotion introduced the BMF title, giving both men something to fight for. ‘Gamebred’ won the bout via a third-round doctor’s stoppage, becoming the inaugural BMF titleholder. Unfortunately, Masvidal never once defended the title. If he had, his reign would have been short-lived as he would go on to drop his next four contests en route to retirement.

With the not-quite-real-but-real-enough title now vacated, the UFC is aiming to crown a new champion next month with Poirier vs. Gaethje 2. Speaking about the history of the title, Daniel Cormier questioned whether or not the new titleholder will actually defend the belt, unlike Jorge Masvidal who simply opted to sit on it and use it as bragging rights for the next four years.

“I ask you this question,” Cormier said on his YouTube channel. “Is this new champion going to defend the BMF title? I believe that these two athletes would go up, they would fight at 155, and they would defend that belt. Because if we’re gonna keep rolling it out, it has to become a thing that gets put on the line. Especially if these guys aren’t fighting for championships.”

Jorge Masvidal’s Reign as BMF Champion Amounted to Very Little

After becoming the BMF champion, Jorge Masvidal came up short in back-to-back UFC title fights with former champion Kamaru Usman. Nearly a year removed from his second defeat to ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’, Masvidal returned for another main event scrap with bitter rival Colby Covington at UFC 272. Despite no UFC title being up for grabs, ‘Gamebred’ opted to leave his BMF title safely at home. He did so once again against Gilbert Burns at UFC 287 in April, losing a unanimous decision to Gilbert Burns.

Speaking about Jorge Masvidal’s inactive reign as the BMF champion, Daniel Cormier seemingly delivered a veiled dig at the former welterweight fan favorite, suggesting that with the BMF belt out of his hands, it finally has the chance to mean something.

“Masvidal didn’t seem to want to defend that championship even though people called for it many times. Is ‘The Rock’ gonna be there again and make it feel as important as it did in Madison Square? The winner is going to set themselves up for another crack at the championship with Makhachev being the champ…It’s always easier guys, to call for a title fight when you’re carrying a belt on your shoulders. And that’s exactly what one of these two are gonna do in Salt Lake City. But let’s not not defend the BMF championship, because now it means something.”

Are you excited to see the BMF title back in the mix? Does it add anything to Poirier vs. Gaethje 2? Let us know what you think in the comments.

Alex Pereira insists he called for Jan Blachowicz fight in UFC 291 return: ‘I was waiting for him’

Former undisputed middleweight champion, Alex Pereira insists he was laying in wait for a light heavyweight divisional bow against fellow former Octagon gold holder, Jan Blachowicz – as the duo agree to fight at UFC 291 on July 29. Pereira, the current #1 ranked middleweight challenger, is slated to make a quickfire summer return to […]

Pereira, the current #1 ranked middleweight challenger, is slated to make a quickfire summer return to the Octagon this year, having dropped the undisputed division title in a title rematch with four-fight foe, Israel Adesanya.

Headlining UFC 287 back in April, Pereira dropped the title in spectacular fashion, suffering his first career loss to Nigerian-Kiwi striker, Adesanya, courtesy of a stunning second round KO in Miami, Florida.

Now slated to return in a light heavyweight division climb later this year, Sao Paulo striker, Pereira is set to draw Polish veteran and former division titleholder, Blachowicz at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah in the co-main event of UFC 291.

Sharing his thoughts on the pairing, Pereira admitted that a showdown with the former KSW champion to boot, will prove to be dangerous for him.

Alex Pereira claims he called for a light heavyweight debut with Jan Blachowicz

Furthermore, the Brazilian phenom claimed that he was laying in wait to land a fight with Blachowicz, as he prepares for a light heavyweight excursion.

“Everybody knows (Jan) Blachowicz is a dangerous guy, an all-rounder,” Alex Pereira said on his YouTube channel. “But I think it’s a good first fight for me [at light heavyweight]. When Is ay my first fight, some people will think, ‘Oh, that’s an easy opponent.’ No, all of you know my story. I wasn middleweight champion. So, for sure, they [the UFC] wanted to give me one of the top-five ranked [fighters].”

“For me, it wasn’t a surprise,” Alex Pereira explained. “We were negotiating for a while. I was waiting for him [Jan Blachowicz]. So that’s it. I’m happy about the fight.”

Dustin Poirier opens as short betting favorite to defeat Justin Gaethje in BMF title rematch at UFC 291

Having previously handed fellow former interim lightweight champion, Justin Gaethje a back-and-forth TKO defeat in 2018, division contender, Dustin Poirier has opened as a slight betting favorite to defeat the Arizonian again – following the stunning announcement of a BMF championship rematch between the two at UFC 291 on July 29. Poirier, the current #2 […]

Poirier, the current #2 ranked lightweight contender, will attempt to land a second Octagon win over his fellow former interim gold holder, Gaethje, as the pair do battle once more in a re-run of their April 2018 UFC Fight Night Glendale showdown.

Featuring opposite the blood-and-guts sport favorite on enemy territory in ‘The Copper State’, Dustin Poirier managed to land an eventual fourth round standing TKO success against Gaethje – en route to an eventual interim title victory.

And with both men riding wins into their much-anticipated summer rematch in Salt Lake City, Utah – it’s Dustin Poirier who has opened as a betting favorite (-120) to dispatch Gaethje (+100) – this time with symbolic championship spoils awaiting the victor.

A host of markets and bookies – including canada-online.casino are already taking bets, props, and wagers on Dustin Poirier’s July rematch with Gaethje – with action on the lightweight re-run five years in the making expected to be high.

Furthermore, with the Octagon slated to return to Vancouver, British Columbia next month – bringing with it a bantamweight title fight featuring Amanda Nunes and Irene Aldana, canada-online.casino also welcomes wagers on that undisputed championship tilt.

Returning to the winner’s enclosure following an unsuccessful championship bid against common-foe, Charles Oliveira, another common-opponent was dispatched by Poirier last time out – in the form of Michael Chandler.

Featuring in a main card clash at UFC 281 last November in Madison Square Garden, perennial top-lightweight contender, Poirier took out the Missouri native, Chandler in the early goings of the third round, capitilizing to sweep up a third round rear-naked choke submission success at ‘The Mecca’.

Turning in a true Fight of the Year effort in typical fashion back in March in the co-main event of UFC 286 in a trip to London, Arizona veteran, Gaethje managed to stay within the promotion’s top-3 rankings at lightweight – edging out Rafael Fiziev in a majority decision triumph in the capital.

And it’s not just proved to be interim lightweight gold success for Dustin Poirier at the lightweight limit – the Lafayette native has also racked up a pair of wins over former duel-weight champion, Conor McGregor in a blockbuster 2021 year for him.

Rematching the Dubliner in January of that annum, the Louisianan became the first to finish McGregor with strikes in professional mixed martial arts – turning in a second round KO win in the Middle East.

In July of that year, securing bragging-rights in the duo’s trilogy rubber match, Dustin Poirier put the pressure on the Crumlin native, landing a first round doctor’s stoppage TKO success after the latter suffering a catastrophic leg fracture.

Renowned for his efforts since his transition to the UFC, Gaethje has turned in memorable performances en route to highlight-reel wins over the likes of Michael Johnson, Edson Barboza, Michael Chandler, the above-mentioned, Fiziev, and in 2020 – on way to his interim spoils win over Tony Ferguson.

Justin Gaethje tipped to score rematch win over Dustin Poirier at UFC 291: ‘I think he’s a little bit more hungry’

Ahead of his own expected title-eliminator next month in the co-main event of UFC 289, surging lightweight contender, Beneil Dariush claims “hunger” will fuel former training partner, Justin Gaethje to a rematch win over Dustin Poirier – following the confirmation of their electric UFC 291 BMF championship headliner. Dariush, currently in the run of his […]

Dariush, currently in the run of his career as he enters next month’s UFC 289 co-main event in Vancouver against former champion, Charles Oliveira riding an eight-fight win streak, looks to finally earn a rescheduled bout with Islam Makhachev – this time with spoils on the line, however.

And later this summer, another expected lightweight title-eliminator has been booked – with former interim division champions, Poirier and Gaethje stepping inside the Octagon for a rematch of their 2018 clash, this time for the symbolic BMF title, following the retirement of Jorge Masvidal.

Taking headlining status at the Delta Center on July 29. in Salt Lake City, Utah – Poirier will look to round-off his rivalry with Justin Gaethje, having stopped the Arizona native on enemy territory back in April 2018 with a fourth round TKO win in Glendale.

Beneil Dariush picks Justin Gaethje to beat Dustin Poirier in July rematch

Sharing his thoughts on how the much-anticipated rematch of Poirier and Gaethje will play out, Dariush has picked the latter to avenge that stoppage defeat, citing a “hunger” that be perceives Gaethje brings with him ahead of a self-confessed final title siege.

“It’s about hunger,” Beneil Dariush told The Schmo. “I think Justin (Gaethje) is a little bit more hungry, but the problem with Dustin Poirier is he’s a dog. He doesn’t even have to be best prepared. He knows how to fight. Once he’s in that Octagon, he kind of takes over the rhythm and he enjoys the fight. So, he’s a really tough guy, but I would lean toward Justin just because of their life right now.”

Most recently featuring at UFC 281 back in November at Madison Square Garden, Poirier managed to turn the tide in a third round submission win over common-foe, Michael Chandler, latching onto a rear-naked choke victory.

As for Justin Gaethje, the current #3 ranked lightweight kept his spot within the lightweight top-3 with a majority decision win over the streaking Rafael Fiziev in the co-main event of UFC 286 back in March.

Breaking – Alex Pereira books UFC 291 light heavyweight debut in fight against Jan Blachowicz in July

Former undisputed Octagon champions, Alex Pereira, and Jan Blachowicz are set to meet on July 29. in the co-main event of UFC 291 in Salt Lake City, Utah – with the Brazilian finally booked to make his awaited leap to light heavyweight waters. Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight champion, will make his light heavyweight division […]

Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight champion, will make his light heavyweight division debut as per UFC president Dana White, taking on former division champion, Blachowicz over the course of three rounds in the promotion’s July return to Utah.

Atop that pay-per-view event, a symbolic BMF championship fight between former interim lightweight champions, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje will take main event billing.

Poirier and Gaethje previously met back in April 2018 in the main event of UFC Fight Night Glendale, with the current #2 ranked lightweight contender, Poirier turning in a blistering fourth round standing TKO victory over the latter.

For Alex Pereira, the former two-weight GLORY Kickboxing champion will make his debut at the 205lbs limit in his mixed martial arts career, having dropped his undisputed UFC middleweight championship to arch-foe, Israel Adesanya back in April, courtesy of a stunning second round rallying KO for the Nigerian-Kiwi.

As for Blachowicz, the Polish veteran, who also stuck gold under the KSW banner, headlined UFC 282 back in December in a makeshift headliner against Russian contender, Magomed Ankalaev – with the duo fighting to a majority decision draw in their vacant division championship offing.

Winning vacant light heavyweight gold on ‘Fight Island’ back in 2020, Blachowicz turned in a thunderous KO triumph of his own against multiple-time title challenger, Dominick Reyes.

Alex Pereira stopped Israel Adesanya with strikes back in November of last year at UFC 281

Over the course of his Octagon tenure, Sao Paulo striking phenom, Alex Pereira has lodged victories over Andreas Michailidis, Bruno Silva, Sean Strickland, and snatched gold from Adesanya back in November of last year at Madison Square Garden with a come-from-behind fifth round standing TKO victory.

Exclusive – Colby Covington rips Leon Edwards for rejecting London title fight in July: ‘It’s disgusting’

Former interim UFC welterweight champion, Colby Covington has hit out at upcoming opponent, current undisputed champion, Leon Edwards for rejecting the opportunity to defend his title on home soil in the UK later this summer, branding the Birmingham native “disgusting” for rejecting a homecoming. Covington, the current #2 ranked welterweight contender, has been sidelined since […]

Covington, the current #2 ranked welterweight contender, has been sidelined since headlining UFC 272 back in March of last year in a grudge match against Jorge Masvidal, defeating the Miami veteran in a one-sided unanimous decision victory.

Expected to return to the Octagon later this year in an undisputed welterweight title fight against champion, Edwards,Covington was initially lined up a for a July bout with the defending gold holder, however, the champion confirmed he would rather fight in October toward the end of this year instead.

Colby Covington takes aim at arch-rival Leon Edwards ahead of title clash

With the earmarked UFC 291 pay-per-view event now altered to a UFC Fight Night London billed card, Covington has labelled Edwards “disgusting” for taking another title fight headliner away from the UK contingent.

“That’s disgusting,” Colby Covington told LowKick MMA reporter, James Lynch in regards to Leon Edwards’ refusal to fight in London in July. “Those people, those fans over there in London – the most passionate, most diehard fans I’ve ever seen in my life, man. I respect those guys, have so much love for the UK and London. Man, those people are amazing.”

“The fact that Leon rejected a home date over there, and he thinks, ‘Oh, they’re not worthy of a pay-per-view, let them get a Fight Night.’” Oh, Leon, you think your people aren’t worthy of a f*cking main event, world championship, undisputed welterweight world title fight? You want them to have a Fight Night instead?” Colby Covington explained.

“Just the disrespect he has towards his own people, James, is disgusting. It would be like me turning down a home date in Maralago, and I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’m not gonna be able to fight there.’ And I’m gonna have to call my friend Donald Trump and be like, ‘Yeah, Donald, I’m not gonna be able to fight on this home date and defend the land.’”

Off the back of UFC 288 last weekend, in which Belal Muhammad lodged a one-sided unanimous decision win over Gilbert Burns, the above-mentioned, Edwards stressed that the entirity of the welterweight ranks presented “light work” to him.