What Is the BMF Belt in the UFC? History, Meaning and Winners

The BMF belt is the UFC’s most unusual title. It is not tied to a weight class, it does not sit in the rankings and it was created as a one off joke that fans refused to let go of. If you have wondered what the BMF belt in the UFC actually is, where it came from and who has held it, this is the short version.

What does BMF stand for?

BMF is short for a phrase that fighters use for the toughest person in the room. The UFC adopted the name for a special title and gave it to the fighter who earned that reputation in the cage.

Where the BMF belt came from

The belt was introduced at UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden in New York City in 2019. Jorge Masvidal fought Nate Diaz for it, and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson walked it out and placed it around the winner, Masvidal. The idea was meant to be a one time prize, but it returned in later years.

BMF title lineage

• Jorge Masvidal, UFC 244, 2019
• Justin Gaethje, UFC 291, 2023
• Max Holloway, UFC 300, 2024
• Max Holloway defended it at UFC 318, 2025

The title has continued to appear on later cards, so check the UFC site for the current holder.

Is the BMF belt an official championship?

It is usually described as a ceremonial title. It does not replace any division belt and it is not a path to becoming the official champion of a weight class. Even so, fighters chase it because it carries real prestige with fans.

Getting a BMF style belt

We make hand built MMA and UFC replicas to full size with metal plates and a real leather strap. You can browse the UFC and MMA belts collection to see what is available, including our UFC BMF replica belt.

Want a belt for your own gym, fight night or fantasy league, with your own name on the plate? Our custom championship belts start with a free mockup, sent within 24 to 48 hours. If you follow wrestling too, read our guides on how many belts are in the WWE and the WWE spinner belt.

Title history checked against the UFC lineage page on 1 November 2026.