GSP, Gracie pitch 25-minute BMF round

Georges St-Pierre and Royce Gracie have discussed a possible way to give future UFC BMF title fights a distinct structure: one uninterrupted round lasting 25 minutes. The idea emerged during a conversation on Gracie’s YouTube channel, where the two former UFC figures considered whether removing the usual breaks could make certain contests more compelling. Their discussion comes after continued fan criticism of the symbolic BMF belt, which has drawn particular attention since Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway fought for it earlier this year. According to Bloody Elbow, some fans called for changes after Oliveira controlled much of that bout on the ground and took the title from Holloway.

The proposal was not presented as a confirmed UFC plan. Instead, it was an idea raised by Gracie and explored with St-Pierre during their conversation. Gracie argued that time limits can affect how fighters approach a contest, while also noting that styles do not always fit together. His focus was on removing interruptions at moments when a fighter may be close to advancing a position or pursuing a finish. St-Pierre agreed that making the contest one continuous fight rather than breaking it into separate rounds could make it more interesting. Gracie then suggested that the BMF belt could be the place to use such a format.

A proposal built around continuity

Gracie’s suggested framework was direct: take away the time limit in the usual sense and make the contest one round of 25 minutes. He said that many pound-for-pound great fighters “play the rules,” and pointed to the possibility of a round ending while one competitor is on top and close to attempting a choke. In his view, that stoppage can disrupt the action at a meaningful point in the fight. The proposed solution would preserve a single stretch of competition instead of pausing for the standard breaks between rounds. It would still have a defined 25-minute length, but the action would not be divided into separate segments.

St-Pierre’s response centered on the same issue of momentum. He said that one big round, described as “just one fight instead of interrupting the fight to stop for the round,” could make a contest more interesting. The exchange did not identify rules beyond the single-round concept, nor did it state that the UFC has considered adopting it. It did, however, offer a different answer to calls for the BMF title to become more of a stand-and-bang attraction. Bloody Elbow reported that some fans had pushed for that type of change after the Oliveira-Holloway fight, while Gracie and St-Pierre instead discussed a format that could also accommodate grappling exchanges without round-ending pauses.

Oliveira’s BMF future remains a focus

Oliveira is identified in the report as the current BMF titleholder, and attention has turned toward what could be next for the Brazilian veteran. Bloody Elbow said the most likely next BMF title fight appears to be a rematch between Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan, following their UFC 300 clash. The report also said Tsarukyan recently confirmed that his UFC return is imminent, while Oliveira’s manager had a successful meeting with Hunter Campbell. Neither detail was presented as an announced fight. The potential matchup also sits at the center of the broader format debate because the report described both fighters as being particularly well known for grappling. That has led to concern among fans that a prospective bout would not entirely excite those seeking a pure striking spectacle for the BMF belt.

• Gracie proposed one 25-minute round so the fight would not be interrupted by separate round breaks.
• St-Pierre said one continuous fight could be more interesting than stopping the action between rounds.

The St-Pierre and Gracie conversation adds a specific alternative to the criticism surrounding the BMF title: change the structure of the fight rather than limit the kind of fighting it contains. Their idea remains only a proposal discussed on Gracie’s channel, with no UFC adoption stated in the source material. Still, it addresses the concern both men raised about action being halted when a fighter has gained an advantageous position. As Oliveira awaits confirmed news about his next appearance, the discussion highlights how the BMF belt continues to prompt debate over what should make its fights different from other UFC contests.