Jorge Masvidal's Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA is roaring back to life with an ambitious double-tournament series offering $1 million in total prize money across two weight classes.
The promotion announced plans for simultaneous 16-fighter tournaments at heavyweight and lightweight, each carrying a $500,000 grand prize. The tournament series launches April 10 in the Dominican Republic, followed by a second event May 1 in Miami, with all four rounds of both brackets scheduled throughout 2026.
The announcement marks Gamebred's return after a 17-month hiatus since its last event on November 15, 2024. Masvidal revealed the extended break was necessary to secure funding for a full year of competition.
Heavyweight Tournament Kickoff Confirmed
Four heavyweight matchups for the April 10 opener have been confirmed:
- Anthony Smith vs. Chase Sherman
- Guto Inocente vs. Mohammed Usman
- Alexandr Romanov vs. Nikolay Kovalenko
- Bruno Cappelozza vs. Todd Duffee
The remaining four heavyweight bouts and all eight lightweight tournament matchups will be announced in the coming days. Smith's inclusion marks a surprising return to competition for the former UFC light heavyweight title challenger, who retired in April 2025 and has since worked as a UFC broadcast analyst.
Masvidal: Filling a Void in Combat Sports
Speaking to MMA Junkie Radio, Masvidal positioned Gamebred as addressing a gap in the current combat sports landscape while prioritizing fighter compensation.
"I don't mind taking the loss (from a smaller gate) for making a huge statement online," Masvidal explained. "We're giving as much money as we can to the fighters. Really, who's doing anything right now? It's just worked out perfectly."
The promotion president expressed confidence that his timing aligns perfectly with the current state of regional MMA: "We're coming in strong these next few years. People are going to have to move aside, brother."
Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA operates under the Unified Rules of mixed martial arts without gloves—a distinct format from bareknuckle boxing. From mid-2023 to late 2024, the promotion held five events featuring UFC veterans including Junior Dos Santos, Roy Nelson, Alan Belcher, Hector Lombard, and Francisco Trinaldo.
"I never wanted to leave," Masvidal said of the hiatus. "The whole time I was working, in the shadows in the back. It's what business owners do. I was just hustling, brother. Seeing what I could do, what networks I could get on, what sponsors I could bring on board. I did everything to keep the dream alive, just like fighting. I was able to secure some funds, so here we go."
With eight heavyweight spots and 16 lightweight positions still to be announced, Masvidal's tournament series represents one of the largest prize pools in regional combat sports for 2026.
