Hollywood, FL: It was a star-studded event, as more than a handful of celebrities were in attendance for the 18th installment of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship this past Saturday night. The stacked, 14-fight card was held at The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood. FL and ran until just past 2:30am after a very late start due to a blown generator. Multi-division world champions Bernard Hopkins and Amanda Serrano were just a couple of world-famous boxers in attendance for the event. NFL alum, Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, also made an appearance, as did a few Miami Heat & Miami Marlins players.
The night was filled with firsts. Joey Beltran was the first BKFC Heavyweight Champion to defend the coveted belt twice. His contest with Sam Shewmaker certainly was a tight one, as at least three of the rounds could have gone to either fighter. Prior to the main event, fans in attendance were treated to an amazing array of fights, including three other world title fights. Luis Palomino defended his version of the BKFC Lightweight Championship, while Thiago Alves came off of the canvas to fight his way to a victory over fan-favorite Ulysses “Monster” Diaz, as the first-ever Middleweight Champion. Hector Lombard made his presence know, as he became the first-ever BKFC Cruiserweight World Champion. In addition, records for the second and third-fastest knockouts in BKFC history were set at the event. Eduardo Concepción was the victor in the night’s opening bout, as his fight was stopped in just five seconds after Concepción rocked his opponent, Gabe Brown, with a vicious overhand right. Joshua Alvarez (aka Famez) beat Paul Teague in just 17 seconds. The record, of course, still belongs to Uly “Monster” Diaz after his combat sports record-breaking three-second stoppage of Donelei Benedetto back on November 13, 2020 at BKFC 14, which was held in Miami, FL.
BKFC 19 has been set for July 23, 2021 in Tampa, Florida with Paige VanZant and Rachael Ostovich taking center stage, while BKFC 20 is scheduled to be held in Biloxi, Mississippi on August 20, 2021. Don’t miss these “can’t miss” stacked fight cards, where these fighters lay it all on the line time and time again and then keep coming back for more. Bare Knuckle Boxing is a crowd-pleasing combat sport, which appears to be one of the most exciting sports to ever exist. If you haven’t checked it out before, get ready!
-Mike Feinberg TFN Reporter
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