In a candid and no-holds-barred interview, Colby Covington, a name synonymous with controversy and candidness in the world of UFC, has left no stone unturned in his latest verbal onslaught against the much-debated ‘Baddest Motherf*cker’ (BMF) title in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Covington, who’s set to square off against the UFC welterweight champion, Leon Edwards, on December 16 at UFC 296, minced no words when expressing his disdain for the BMF belt. In his eyes, the BMF title is a mere consolation prize for fighters who have fallen short of the elusive undisputed championship.
“It is nothing more than a participation fight to cater to the guys that can never win an undisputed strap,” Covington boldly proclaimed in his exclusive conversation with My MMA News. “Good for them. Their little side circus show, participation trophy, good for you, man, but you are not the best, you are not the undisputed champion. You are just nothing more than a promotional tool.”
Covington’s scathing remarks bring to the forefront a longstanding debate within the MMA community regarding the legitimacy and purpose of the BMF title. He suggests that the BMF belt serves as a marketing ploy, brought out by the UFC when there’s a need to boost pay-per-view sales without the availability of a genuine undisputed title bout.
The BMF title initially made its grand entrance in November 2019 during a much-anticipated showdown between two UFC stars, Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal. The electric atmosphere at UFC 244 in New York saw Masvidal emerge victorious as the first-ever BMF champion. However, the BMF title then went into hibernation, remaining dormant until August 2023 when Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje engaged in a highly anticipated rematch. Gaethje, displaying remarkable evolution in his fighting style, secured the BMF title with a second-round knockout triumph at UFC 291.
Notably, Covington’s past association with Dustin Poirier added another layer of intrigue to his commentary. He seized the opportunity to take a jab at Poirier’s recent performances, insinuating that Poirier had lost his competitive edge, stating, “It seems like Dustin is over the hill, and he has washed up, and he made his fights with Conor, and he is not hungry anymore.”
Covington’s outspoken critique of the BMF title brings the ongoing debate surrounding this novelty championship into the spotlight once again. While some fans appreciate the entertainment value and novelty of the BMF title fights, Covington’s comments shed light on the viewpoint that it might dilute the prestige of the undisputed titles that are the pinnacle of MMA achievement.
It is also worth noting that Covington’s remarks about Dustin Poirier add an extra layer of drama to the story. Poirier has been one of the most respected fighters in the lightweight division, but Covington’s assertion that he has lost his edge is a bold statement that is sure to generate conversations among MMA enthusiasts.
As with many things in the world of MMA, opinions on the BMF title are divided. Some see it as a fun addition to the sport, while others, including Covington, view it as a promotional gimmick. This ongoing debate underscores the multifaceted nature of the MMA community and the various perspectives that exist within it.
