UFC 326 BMF Title Controversy: Fighters & Fans Demand Changes

After a disappointing UFC 326, the BMF (Baddest Motherf***er) title is facing significant criticism. Fans and fighters are calling on Dana White and the UFC to either modify the rules for these championship bouts or abolish the belt entirely.

The highly anticipated rematch between Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira was widely expected to be a contender for "Fight of the Year." Both athletes have earned immense popularity over time and are renowned for their captivating fighting styles within the UFC. All signs pointed to a classic encounter, yet the inherent unpredictability of mixed martial arts once again delivered an unexpected outcome.

Contrary to expectations of a stand-up war, Oliveira adopted a grappling-dominant strategy that effectively stifled Holloway's offense throughout the 25-minute contest. The initial enthusiasm for the bout quickly waned as the fight progressed, prompting both fighters and fans to voice their disappointment, with boxer Ryan Garcia leading the charge.

"Is this the BMF title, or are we just going to spend the entire fight on the ground?" Garcia questioned during his critical assessment of UFC 326. "Much like Turki highlighted uninspired boxing matches, I'm calling this out too. Nobody wants to watch that. Casual MMA fans like me don't want to sit through 25 minutes of what I just witnessed. It feels like the UFC is becoming solely about who can wrestle best and control the ground. It's simply boring."

This was crazy highlight fight 😂
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) March 8, 2026

These guys all dorks fighting for my belt

Ur welcome
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) March 8, 2026

I thought this was BMF belt.
— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) March 8, 2026

Smh 🙄🙄🙄🙄
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) March 8, 2026

GMF Championship ! G is for grappling 😂😂😂 #UFC326
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) March 8, 2026

Hate to say it but this isn’t what the bmf is about 😒
— Billy Quarantillo (@BillyQMMA) March 8, 2026

The fight is so boring my screen tapped out. #UFC
— MMA Roasted (@MMARoasted) March 8, 2026

#UFC326 was one of the worst numbered events in UFC history. Just a terrible card. Boring fights all night long. I hope Dana rips into these guys. The fans deserved better.
— Adam Martin (@MMAdamMartin) March 8, 2026

The BJJMF Title
— Mike Harrington (@TheMHarrington) March 8, 2026

Ok a little striking would be fun
— Kevin Holland (@Trailblaze2top) March 8, 2026

Right who’s the Mack fighting, folks?
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) March 8, 2026

The wave of criticism continued, with Ryan Garcia further elaborating on his displeasure. The WBC welterweight champion explicitly stated his belief that the BMF belt should be entirely removed from the UFC.

"For the BMF title, fighters should be mandated to stand and trade punches—nothing else," Garcia asserted. "If I were Dana White, I would abolish the BMF title altogether; it no longer serves a purpose. I don't even fully grasp its concept, and it comes across as a somewhat arbitrary and peculiar addition to the UFC."