Max Holloway Wants Mark Coleman to Put the Belt on BMF Title Fight Winner

Max Holloway wants “real life BMF” Mark Coleman to wrap the belt around the winner of his UFC 300 clash against Justin Gaethje.

Gaethje puts his BMF title on the line in a lightweight clash against “Blessed” at the milestone event on April 13 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The BMF title has historically been presented by a notable personality, first by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson to Jorge Masvidal and then a retired Masvidal presenting it to Gaethje after the latter’s victory.

When asked whom Holloway would like to present the belt for his fight against Gaethje, the Hawaiian said there’s only one correct answer: Coleman. Holloway labeled Coleman a “real life BMF” owing to the former UFC heavyweight champion’s recent heroic actions.

Coleman’s childhood home in Fremont, Ohio, recently caught fire when the former Olympian was visiting his parents. It was the family pup, “Hammer,” that awakened Coleman, who then saved both his parents. Coleman then went back inside, risking his life for Hammer, who unfortunately couldn’t be rescued. The UFC Hall of Famer suffered life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to a local hospital. A fundraiser set up to support Coleman’s treatment has stopped taking donations after raising over $121,000. Coleman was able to make a quick recovery, even overcoming a case of pneumonia after being initially discharged from the hospital.

Coleman was also shown facing off with Daniel Cormier in an edited promo for UFC 300, which Holloway believes might hint at a potential appearance.

“I mean the only correct answer is Mark Coleman, man,” Holloway told MMA Junkie. “Especially with what he went through recently with his dog and his dog waking up and his dog waking him up to go save his stuff and he go in there and run for his dog. Guy’s a G, bro. That’s a real life BMF so that’s the only right answer, man. I think they used him in that little promo video too right? Facing off with 'DC' right? Yeah. So maybe that’s a hint, maybe he comes. It would be sick if he did, it would be an honor to get him to do it.”

The significance of the BMF title has often been questioned, with critics citing its lack of relevance in the real title picture of any weight class. While Holloway is aware of the opportunities that might arise if he wins the strap, the former featherweight champ is more excited to share the Octagon with his opponent.

“I mean the belt is the belt. The belt is cool, it's whatever,” Holloway said. “You know things that come with the belt can be life changing so we’ll see what happens. But I’m more excited that I get to share the Octagon with Gaethje, man. It’s amazing, man. It’s amazing being able to share the Octagon with a future Hall of Famer in him. And title — no title, being able to fight him is one of the best things I’m looking forward to.”