SALT LAKE CITY – While some are criticizing the UFC for bringing back the “Baddest Motherf*cker” title, others are happy it’s back in play.
In the headliner of Saturday’s UFC 291, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje will collide in a highly-anticipated rematch that’s set to be for the UFC’s “BMF” belt. That title was previously held by Jorge Masvidal, who won it by defeating Nate Diaz back in 2019 in the main event of UFC 244. UFC president Dana White said the BMF belt was a one-time thing and exclusive to Diaz and Masvidal, but it’s been brought back to life almost four years later.
The move has received some criticism, but some love from others as well. That includes UFC lightweight veteran [autotag]Bobby Green[/autotag], who’s all in the concept of the title.
“I think it’s dope, I think it’s dope,” Green told reporters at the UFC 291 media day on Wednesday. “It separates the real from the fake. That’s why guys call it cringy, because those guys who call it cringy are usually the fake, you know what I mean? And what I mean by the real and the fake is guys that come to fight, that’s why we get known as BMF’s, because we have a certain stigma that comes with us.
“Now the other guys, on the other hand, those are guys that want to do a match, I would call it. I wouldn’t even call it a fight. They’re doing a jiu-jitsu match, they’re doing a wrestling match, you know. So there’s two different sides. Which side are you on? You come in here to pump the fans up and show them an actual fight or you’re just trying to get a W on the list?”
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Green (29-14-1 MMA, 10-9-1 UFC) also competes at UFC 291. He takes on former interim champion Tony Ferguson (25-8 MMA, 15-6 UFC) on the pay-per-view main card.
“King” is unsure who to root for in the main event of the card, as he likes both Poirier and Gaethje.
“I’m a big Dustin fan, I’m a big Gaethje fan,” Green said. “I love both of those guys. Gaethje sends me gloves, you know the Onyx, so I’m always like, ‘Man, I need a pair of gloves,’ and he sends them to me. He takes care of me. I love that guy. He’s cool as sh*t every time I met him. Dustin, cool guy, chill guy, and I f*cking fought him. So, you have to respect every person you share the cage with. I think it’s dope for both guys.”
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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 291.