Jorge Masvidal to Launch Bare-Knuckle MMA Promotion in Miami

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Ultimate Fighting Championship star Jorge Masvidal has plans for starting his own combat league in the near future.

On Thursday, shortly before the UFC 261 press conference, Masvidal put out an announcement video of his new league. Masvidal will be teaming up with rapper Anuel AA to launch a bare-knuckle MMA league titled Gamebred Fighting Championship. "Gamebred" will be competing against Kamaru Usman in a rematch of their 2020 battle on Saturday, and he already has his sights set on the future, win or lose.

The organization will reportedly use rules under the Unified Rules of MMA, only that there will be no gloves used by the fighters. The first event is scheduled to take place in Miami on June 25, and no competitors or a venue have been announced at this time. Masvidal’s partner Anuel AA owns a clothing brand called Real Hasta La Muerte, or “Real Until Death,” and every competitor will be wearing outfits from this company.

According to Masvidal at the aforementioned press conference, the plan is to find the next great street fighter in the vein of "Kimbo Slice" and himself – as both gained recognition by competing in unregulated backyard bare knuckle fights before switching over to MMA. Bare-knuckle boxing has taken off in popularity in the U.S., with the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship promotion finding great success and luring over former MMA and boxing stars to compete in its "squared circle." Bare-knuckle MMA, however, is a relatively untapped market, with sporadic offerings from organizations like Sparta Combat League running stateside.