The BMF title was successfully defended for the first time on UFC 318.
Max Holloway defeated Dustin Poirier and produced a five-round war that fits the belt that he currently has.
After having stopped 'blessed' at UFC 308 last year, Topuria Holloway trolled on social media by claiming that the BMF -Riem is still his and posted a photo of his replica title.
'El Matador' may believe that he should be the rightful owner of the title, but the BMF belt is not like other championship belts in the sense that it is not on the line only because the champion competes.
While Holloway focuses on a rematch with Topuria, where the winner could be, everything takes in a champion versus Clash Matchup, another UFC title holder has put his name in the mix.
Jack della Maddalena draws up his claim as the Linear BMF champion in response to Ilia Topuria
After Jorge Masvidal won the inaugural BMF -Riem in 2019, 'GameBred' took four more times in the Octagon without putting the title on the line.
Without an opponent who seemed to fit into the 'BMF' parameters, the belt would eventually be emptied after Masvidal's retirement in April 2023.
The title was then moved to the lightweight division where it was disputed by Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje in the Co-Main event of UFC 291.
Although it remains in the possession of Max Holloway at 155 pounds, if you win the linear approach of the person who beats the champion, wins the title, regardless of whether it is for grasping or not, the belt has never left good weight.
As you can see below, that would make the current Welteregewet Jack della Maddalena champion the linear champion.
Lineal BMF Title Holderopponent She BeatevesTresTjorge Masvidalnate Diazufc 244 – 2019tko (Doctor Stoppage) Kamaru usmanjorge Masvidalufc 251 – 2020Unanimous Decisionleon Decisionleon – 202AruUFKAUMARU Muhammadleon Edwardewadufc 304 – 2024Nanimous. Decisionjack della Maddalenabelal Muhammaduftc 315 – 2025Unanimous decision
'JDM' recently responded to Ilia Topuria's post about the fact that he was the rightful champion by referring to this point and trivializing 'El Matador' in the process.
He wrote about his Instagram story: “Little Fella is a bit confused”, after he said, “It's actually mine”, under the post of Topuria.
Jack della Maddalena responds to Ilia Topuria and says that the BMF belt is his:
“Small guy is a bit confused. It's actually mine.” 👀🍿 pic.twitter.com/y1uza1piqg
– Championship Rounds (@champrds) July 21, 2025
View tweet
Max Holloway wants there to be more clarity about who deserves a BMF title shot
The BMF title with a completely different history than the linear via line shows that it has always been a championship that does not work like any other.
However, Max Holloway recently begged the UFC to change this by introducing some more structure.
He said during the 'about Last Fight' show of the UFC that he wants BMF rankings to make it clearer who are likely challengers.
One of the names mentioned during the interview was Hooker, with former opponent Charles Oliveira another good option for Holloway.