Jorge Masvidal brings back Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA, Anthony Smith ends retirement in surprise return

Jorge Masvidal is bringing back Gamebred bareknuckle MMA.

Masvidal told MMAJunkie on Monday that the promotion is planning two tournaments, each with a $500,000 prize pool. It will be a 16-man tournament, one at heavyweight and one in lightweight. All four rounds of the tournament will take place in 2026, with a launch date of April 10 in the Dominican Republic, and the second event is targeted for May 1 in Miami.

Not only did Masvidal announce the return of the promotion, but some intriguing names are fighting on it. One of the fights features Anthony Smith taking on Chase Sherman, as it comes less than a year since Smith retired following his UFC Kansas City loss.

Gamebres bareknuckle MMA fight card:

• Anthony Smith vs. Chase Sherman
• Guto Inocente vs. Mohammed Usman
• Alexandr Romanov vs. Nikolay Kovalenko
• Bruno Cappelozza vs. Todd Duffee

Smith is 38-22 and is on a three-fight losing streak. His last win, meanwhile, came in May of 2024 when he submitted Vitor Petrino. This will be his heavyweight debut.

Along with Smith, another notable name is Todd Duffee, who returned last April at a BKFC event where he lost due to an injury in 43 seconds. Mohammed Usman, meanwhile, will fight despite being handed a 30-month suspension for violations of the UFC’s Anti-Doping Policy.

Masvidal admitted the time away from the promotion wasn’t something he wanted. But he is now ready to get going and continue to give fighters another promotion to fight in.

“I never wanted to leave,” Jorge Masvidal said. “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.”

Will you watch this Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA event? Let us know in the comment section, PENN Nation!