After his submission victory over Mateusz Gamrot, in the second round of the UFC main card in Rio, Charles do Bronx sent a direct message to Hunter Campbell, an Ultimate executive, proposing a fight against Max Holloway for the symbolic BMF belt.
Charles’ message was short and to the point: “Hey, Hunter, Charles from the Bronx x Max Holloway for BMF. Let’s make it happen?”
The provocation came in the octagon and received a quick response on the networks. Holloway reacted to the request live and said he would like the rematch. “Why wouldn’t I be interested in that?” said the Hawaiian.
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What is the BMF belt?
The BMF (Baddest MotherF…er) was born as a symbolic belt created by the UFC to reward the toughest, most charismatic fighter capable of winning fights with popular appeal. Despite not having the same sporting weight as a linear belt, the BMF carries prestige among the public for bringing together fights with rivalry and history.
Originally designed for confrontations with a high level of aggression and appeal, the belt has already been used to promote memorable fights and attract mass attention. For athletes like Charles and Holloway, who have intertwined historical passages and personal stories, competing in the BMF makes commercial and sporting sense.
In the case in question, the BMF works as an ideal scenario because it combines narrative (the 2015 rematch) with popular appeal. Even without a direct impact on the official featherweight or lightweight rankings, the fight would have high box office potential and global repercussions.
Duel that led to the rematch
In 2015, Max Holloway knocked out Charles, and the Brazilian himself, after tests, confirmed that he fought with a shoulder injury in the first round. The Hawaiian acknowledged this version and said he wants to “see what would really happen” in a rematch with both men healthy.
The former featherweight champion is coming off a triumph over Dustin Poirier at UFC 318 and announced Poirier’s retirement on that occasion. On the Brazilian side, the victory over Gamrot once again put Charles in the spotlight.
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