Jorge Masvidal is bringing his promotion back with a statement.
Gamebred FC returns on April 10, 2026, launching a 16-man heavyweight tournament in the Dominican Republic. The headline fight already has people talking.
Anthony Smith is coming out of retirement to face Chase Sherman in a bare-knuckle MMA main event.
No gloves. Full rules. Heavyweight.
Anthony Smith Returns at Heavyweight
Smith isn’t easing back in.
The former UFC title challenger moves up to heavyweight for this one. It’s his first fight since retiring in 2025, and now he’s stepping into a completely different format.
Bare-knuckle MMA changes everything:
- striking becomes more dangerous
- durability gets tested fast
- mistakes cost more
Smith has experience at the highest level, but this is new territory.
Chase Sherman Built for This
Sherman has built a reputation as one of the toughest heavyweights around.
He’s known for:
- absorbing punishment
- staying in fights longer than expected
- pushing forward under pressure
That style fits bare-knuckle perfectly. You don’t need to be perfect. You need to survive and land.
16-Man Heavyweight Tournament Begins
This fight isn’t just a main event. It’s the start of a full heavyweight bracket running through 2026.
What we know:
- 16 fighters in total
- tournament unfolds across multiple events
- winner earns $500,000
Masvidal is positioning this as a major opportunity for fighters outside the UFC system. Big names, prospects, and veterans are all expected in the mix.
More Fights on the April 10 Card
The card won’t be built around just one fight.
Confirmed matchups include:
- Guto Inocente vs Mohammed Usman
- Additional heavyweight bouts as part of the tournament
More names are expected to be revealed as the event gets closer.
What Makes Gamebred FC Different
Gamebred FC uses standard MMA rules with one major twist.
No gloves.
That changes the entire fight dynamic:
- cleaner strikes matter more
- damage shows faster
- grappling transitions get riskier
It’s raw, unpredictable, and built for action.
What’s Next
The April 10 card kicks things off, but it’s only the beginning.
- May 1, 2026: Second event scheduled in Miami
- Lightweight tournament also planned
- Full brackets still being finalized
Masvidal is aiming to build momentum quickly and turn this into one of the most talked-about formats in combat sports.
The Real Angle
This isn’t just about Smith vs Sherman.
It’s about whether this format works at scale.
Bare-knuckle MMA is risky. It’s different. But it grabs attention fast.
And putting a former title challenger in the main event is how you make people watch.
