Jorge Masvidal says he’s betting large on bareknuckle MMA in 2026, unveiling a $500,000 heavyweight Grand Prix he believes can relaunch Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA for at the least two years.
Talking MMA Junkue, Masvidal defined that Gamebred Preventing Championship has been inactive whereas he raised cash and rebuilt the group behind the scenes. “We’ve been out for some time… been fundraising, getting stuff collectively, getting group collectively, and we’re again,” he mentioned, including that he has secured sufficient funding for “two stable years of leisure” earlier than “rolling that cube once more” in hopes of touchdown a community deal. He framed the venture as a grind to “get these checks” and requested followers for additional assist as he brings the promotion again.
Jorge Masvidal’s $500k Gamebred Grand Prix brings UFC vets to bareknuckle MMA
The relaunch facilities on a heavyweight bareknuckle MMA event that can award $500,000 to the champion after 4 fights in 2026. Masvidal mentioned the bracket will function 10 UFC veterans, a former The Final Fighter winner, two previous PFL event winners, a naked‑knuckle champion and athletes from seven nations, all combating with out gloves for what he calls a world Grand Prix title. The collection begins on April 10 within the Dominican Republic, with the remaining rounds scheduled by way of the 12 months.
Present plans transcend a single bracket. Masvidal and Gamebred officers have confirmed two 16‑man tournaments in 2026, one at heavyweight and one at light-weight, every carrying a $500,000 grand prize for a mixed $1 million in payouts. The April 10 card within the Dominican Republic will open the heavyweight discipline, whereas a Could 1 occasion in Miami is predicted to stage the early rounds of the light-weight event. Early heavyweight matchups embrace the shock return of former UFC title challenger and present analyst Anthony Smith, who is about to face fellow UFC veteran Chase Sherman. Different names reported for the bracket embrace Guto Inocente vs. Mohammed Usman, Alexandr Romanov vs. Nikolay Kovalenko, and Bruno Cappelozza vs. Todd Duffee.
Masvidal has positioned Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA as a rule‑set twist on acquainted unified guidelines: full MMA with takedowns and submissions, however no gloves. Within the current video, he burdened that that is “Naked Knuckle MMA, not naked‑knuckle boxing” and argued that eradicating gloves truly boosts ending potential on the bottom. He mentioned submissions “undergo the roof” as a result of locks really feel stronger and defenders can not stall by grabbing gloves. With naked fingers he in contrast hand management to chasing “oiled‑up pigs,” saying grips slip and positions are tougher to freeze, which he believes will pressure fighters to assault and create extra decisive endings.
Masvidal has known as Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA “essentially the most violent present on Earth” in previous interviews and insists that, with the proper funding and ex‑UFC names on board, this 12 months‑lengthy experiment can safe a broadcast dwelling and a long-lasting spot within the fight sports activities calendar.
