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“Retirement Fighting Championship”: Fans Left Disturbed as Jorge Masvidal’s Gamebred Bare-Knuckle Pits Veterans 45 Y.O Fabricio Werdum and Junior dos Santos in Startling Matchup

Published 07/01/2023, 3:24 AM EDT

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Bareknuckle MMA promotion Gamebred has revealed the much-anticipated lineup for their upcoming event, Bareknuckle 5. The promotion is led by UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal.

As fans eagerly await the event scheduled for September 8, concerns are rising over the presence of legendary UFC fighters Fabricio Werdum, Junior Dos Santos (JDS), and Renan Barao on the card.

Junior Dos Santos, a former UFC Heavyweight Champion, and Fabricio Werdum, a former UFC Heavyweight Champion and Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion, command admiration in the sport. As such, fans are apprehensive about the potential risks they face by stepping into the bare-knuckle ring.

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 Jorge Masvidal and others in a ‘Retirement Fighting Championship’? – Fans concerned

Online reactions to the announcement of Barao’s and other veterans’ return to the cage and their participation in Bareknuckle 5 have generated mixed responses. With fans expressing genuine concern for the fighters’ well-being. In the brutal world of prizefighting, fans worry that fighters can become entangled in an unforgiving meatgrinder which inevitably takes a toll on their physical and mental health.

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Gamebred fighting is for retirement

Renan should not fight. But maybe the man does not have any other sort of income. So who am I to say? Prizefighting is an absolute meatgrinder.

Why they bringing my man Renan out of retirement to get some more CTE

Renan has won 2 fights since he fought TJ in 2014…. just no

Barao still alive??? Lmao

“I Still Would Have Retired”- Jorge Masvidal Reveals the Real Reason Behind Retirement and It’s Not UFC 287 Loss

Renan back to get KO’d some more.

They should make these guys box with hockey helmets on just to be on the safe side

Werdum on that horse diet now and idk what JDS been up to since he blew out his shoulder in that fight he had.

Remember when Barão was merking everyone… Shit, didn’t even know he was still scrapping

Werdum vs JDS is going to be bloody

The reactions have oscillated between humor and worry. Some fans are questioning whether Barao and the other fighters are fit to compete at this stage of their careers. While others question whether Barao’s decision to fight again stems from financial need or limited income opportunities outside of the sport

The rise and fall of Renan Barao, a forgotten Bantamweight phenom

Renan Barao once hailed as one of the most dominant fighters in the lighter weight classes of the UFC, boasts an impressive record of 32-1 with 1 no contest during his nine-year undefeated streak. However, his era of dominance in the Bantamweight division may be lost on modern MMA fans.

He secured significant victories against renowned fighters like Urijah Faber (twice), Eddie Wineland, and Brad Pickett. Thus, securing a remarkable legacy in the sport as the UFC Bantamweight champion.

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The turning point in Barao’s career came with his title loss to TJ Dillashaw. After which he struggled to regain his former glory. Facing a series of challenges, ‘The Baron’ managed just one win in his next seven UFC fights, leading to his eventual release from the promotion. This trajectory reflects the unpredictable nature of MMA and the difficulties fighters encounter in maintaining their positions at the top.

While fans may revel in nostalgia and anticipate fierce battles, the concerns raised reflect a deeper understanding of the potential consequences that accompany careers in combat sports.

As the event draws nearer, the focus shifts from mere entertainment to a genuine call for the protection and support of those who have devoted their lives to the sport of mixed martial arts.

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Written by:

Dushyant Patni

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Dushyant Patni is a UFC writer at EssentiallySports. He fell in love with MMA at the tender age of fourteen and his appreciation for the craft has led him to become a practitioner, too. With a master's degree in English and an extensive background as a writer and editor, he uses his technical ability to articulate the nuances of the sport.
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Edited by:

Rupkamal Sarma