Jorge Masvidal has never been one to shy away from sharing his opinion, and the former BMF champion recently stirred the pot by naming the UFC fighter he believes truly deserves the title spotlight—and it’s not the current belt holder.
Masvidal, who made history by defeating Nate Diaz at UFC 244 in 2019 to claim the inaugural BMF belt, has watched the symbolic title evolve from a one-off spectacle into a lasting piece of UFC lore. Originally created for that grudge match, the BMF belt returned for Dustin Poirier vs. Justin Gaethje in 2023 and has since become a fixture in the promotion. Charles Oliveira currently holds the belt after defeating Max Holloway at UFC 326 in March, but Masvidal isn't convinced "Do Bronx" is the division's true standout.
During an appearance on Paramount's Deep Waters podcast, Masvidal ranked his top five fighters who embody the BMF spirit—and Oliveira barely made the cut. Instead, the veteran fan favorite put featherweight champion Ilia Topuria and former light heavyweight king Alex Pereira at the top of his list.
"I got Ilia, No. 1," Masvidal said. "Chama (Pereira), No. 2, because that guy fights. Everybody knows, in Japan, in Korea, it doesn't matter whether it's Thailand or Japan. International. He is a star. He is an effing star, bro. Like, it's crazy, man."
Masvidal continued his rankings with a nod to Khamzat Chimaev at No. 3, calling him "a huge star worldwide." For No. 4, he threw a curveball: Sean Strickland. "Especially after his next fight, he's going to be one of the biggest names," Masvidal predicted. "He's got that whole love and hate thing. He's going to be up there."
Finally, at No. 5, Masvidal placed Charles Oliveira. "He's so famous worldwide. He's got the whole Brazil on his back without even mentioning it," Masvidal said, acknowledging Oliveira's global appeal even if he doesn't top the list.
With Oliveira potentially eyeing a showdown with Islam Makhachev next, Masvidal's rankings are sure to spark debate among fight fans. Whether you agree with "Gamebred" or not, one thing is clear: the BMF title is about more than just a belt—it's about the fighter who carries it with the most heart.