Trout-Palomino II Headlines BKFC 85: Lightweight Title Shot on the Line in Hollywood
HOLLYWOOD, FL — The Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) returns to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Friday, December 5th, for BKFC 85, featuring a grudge rematch with major title implications: Austin ‘No Doubt’ Trout (4-0) takes on Luis ‘Baboon’ Palomino (10-1) in a highly anticipated Lightweight Semi-Final bout.
The event, officially titled BKFC 85: Trout vs. Palomino 2, is a pivotal clash in the ongoing tournament for the vacant BKFC Lightweight World Title, solidifying the rivalry between the two combat sports veterans who are no strangers to high stakes.
A Rivalry Forged in Gold
The history between the two fighters is defined by championship gold. Austin Trout, the former professional boxing world champion (WBA Super Welterweight), burst onto the BKFC scene with a dominant fourth-round stoppage of former UFC star Diego Sanchez. He immediately challenged BKFC legend Luis Palomino, a former BKFC double-champion (Lightweight and Welterweight).
It was at BKFC-57 where Trout dealt Palomino his only promotional loss, winning the BKFC Welterweight World Title. The native of Peru, Palomino, had previously made history by becoming the organization’s first two-division champion, defending the Lightweight strap four times before claiming the Welterweight title. He recently bounced back into the win column by claiming the inaugural BKFC ‘King of the Streets’ title at BKFC-70.
Now, both men are dropping to lightweight to face off for a guaranteed spot in the division final, turning their championship rivalry into a defining moment for the 155-pound division.
Star Power Fills the Card
Beyond the marquee rematch, BKFC 85 features a stacked lineup showcasing the depth of the promotion’s roster.
The card will see Carina Damm step into the squared circle. Damm is widely considered a pioneer in women’s MMA, and her inclusion adds a layer of combat sports history to the action, as she takes on Christine Vicens in a Women’s Flyweight contest.
Additionally, the event buzz is amplified by one of the organization’s most colorful personalities, the “Knuckle Maniac,” Cody Vidal. Vidal, who leads the dedicated KWO (Knuckle Maniac Warriors Organization) fanbase, is coming off an instant classic against David Simpson at BKFC 84 and remains a huge draw, often featuring prominently in the pre-fight build-up and fight-week events.
With a lightweight title shot on the line and a card packed with exciting matchups and fan favorites, BKFC 85 is poised to be one of the most significant bare-knuckle events of the year.