PAIGE VANZANT TAKES OFF THE GLOVES!

BARE KNUCKLE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTS “KNUCKLEMANIA”

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5 IN LAKELAND, FL

PAIGE VAN ZANT VS. BRITAIN HART

JOHNNY BEDFORD VS. DAT NGUYEN

CHRIS LEBEN VS. QUENTIN HENRY

LIVE ON PAY-PER VIEW!!

Lakeland, FL (January 7, 2021) Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, The World’s Fastest Growing Sport, presents “KNUCKLEMANIA” on Friday, February 5, 2021 emanating from the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, FL, distributed by Multi Vision Media and broadcast live on Pay-Per-View in addition to streaming through FITE.TV with a starting time of 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

Headlining “KNUCKLEMANIA” is the Highly Anticipated Debut of Combat Sports Superstar Paige Van Zant facing Britain Hart in the featherweight division. Co-featured ‘Brutal’ Johnny Bedford clashes with Dat ‘Be Dat’ Nguyen for the BKFC Bantamweight World Title. In a special attraction fight Chris ‘The Crippler’ Leben battles Quentin ‘The Hero’ Henry in the 205lb. division.

Advance Tickets are Now On-Sale for the socially distanced event, starting at $55 through the RP Funding Center Box Office, by phone at 1- 888-397-0100, and online at www.rpfundingcenter.com.The RP Funding Center is located at 701 W. Lime Street in Lakeland centrally located in Florida between Orlando and Tampa off Interstate 4. Doors will open on the night of the event at 7:00 p.m. ET with the first bell at 8:00 p.m. ET.  

“Since we signed Paige Van Zant in August it’s been the talk of the combat sports world,” said Dave Feldman, President of BKFC. “We’re very excited to announce her BKFC debut against a very tough fighter, Britain Hart, headlining our biggest event of the year,“KNUCKLEMANIA”, on February 5 in Lakeland, FL, two nights before the Super Bowl in nearby Tampa.”

“Our BKFC Bantamweight World Championship fight between Johnny Bedford and Dat Nguyen promises fireworks from the opening bell and our 205lb. battle between Chris Leben and Quentin Henry is a true ‘Don’t’ Blink’ fight as hard and fast as both guys hit with bigger fights on the horizon for the victor. Additionally, we’re putting together an action-packed undercard that our fans have come to expect, it’s going to be a tremendous night for those in attendance in Lakeland and watching on Pay-Per-View. This is our third event in the Tampa area and we are incredibly thankful for the great support and enthusiasm from the local fans.”

“We are very excited that BKFC have chosen the RP Funding Center to host their “KNUCKLEMANIA” event on February 5th.  “We will be socially distancing and following COVID protocols to ensure patrons a safe and comfortable experience in which to enjoy all the action”, said Scott Sloman, RP Funding Center Assistant Director.

Starting in 2014, the 26-year-old Paige Van Zant was one of the biggest stars in UFC. Known for her heavy hands and armed with a vast international social media following, she has been training for the last five months at the renowned American Top Team facility in Coconut Creek, FL. 

Fighting out of Bedford, VA, the thirty-year-old Britain Hart is coming off a show-stopping fourth round knockout of Randine Elkholm at BKFC-14 on November 13, 2020 in Miami, FL. Following the fight, Hart called Van Zant into the ring and emphatically stated ‘You’re Next’ as they faced off for the crowd and cameras. 

Sporting a BKFC record of 5-0 with three knockouts, fan favorite Johnny Bedford won the BKFC Lightweight Tournament with a unanimous decision over Reggie Barnett, Jr. on June 22, 2019. Following up, Bedford stopped Charles Bennett in the second round on November 16, 2019 at BKFC-9, his last fight. Prior to fighting in BKFC, Bedford held a record of 23-14 with ten knockouts in MMA competition including fights in UFC and Bellator. 

Born in Bien Hoa, Vietnam and currently residing in Vero Beach, FL, Dat Nguyen compiled a record of 20-3 with seven knockouts as a world ranked professional boxer. Transitioning to BKFC last year, the heavy-handed Nguyen is 2-0, his most recent knockout coming in the first round against Abdiel Velazquez at BKFC-10 on February 15, 2020 in Fort Lauderdale, FL. 

A native of Oahu, Hawaii, Chris Leben was a highly accomplished mixed martial arts fighter compiling a record of 22-11 while competing in the UFC over a 15-year period including a first-round knockout of Wanderlei Silva. He kicked off his bare-knuckle campaign with first round knockouts of Phil Baroni and Justin Baesman before losing a very hotly contested decision to Dakota Cochrane at BKFC-6 on June 22, 2019 in Tampa, FL. 

The all-action Quentin Henry of West Monroe, LA makes a quick return to the squared circle following an electrifying first round knockout of Jason Fann on December 11, 2020 at BKFC-15 in Biloxi, MS in his first BKFC fight, Henry also knocked out Bubba Malbrough in the first round on August 10, 2019 at the company’s seventh event. 

Further details for additional bouts at “KNUCKLEMANIA” will be announced shortly. 

“Catch All Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Action at BareKnuckle.tv”