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Khadis Ibragimov (L) wore down Dmitry Mikutsa
Viktor Kolesnik (L) kicked his way past Daniel Swain
Bec Rawlings Defeats Britain Hart by Split Decision in Main Event of “BKFC 2: A New Era” from the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, Mississippi & on Pay-Per-View
Sam Shewmaker Secures Split Decision Victory Over Maurice Jackson
Arnold Adams Stops Joey Beltran in the Fifth Round
Click HERE for Photos
Credit: Phil Lambert/BKFC
BILOXI, MS (August 25, 2018) – “Queen of Bare Knuckle” Bec Rawlings defeated Britain Hart by split decision (50-45, 49-45, 48-47) as Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) returned on Saturday with “BKFC 2: A New Era” from the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, Mississippi and live on pay-per-view.
“I don’t think it was a split decision,” said Rawlings. “When I signed on to fight for BKFC they sent us the rules and they said you can’t run from your opponent. You have to engage. You have to toe the line. That’s where they want the action to happen and you’ll lose points if you don’t obey those rules. So, I definitely was the one pushing the pace tonight. I was in the center the whole time and I landed the harder shots.”
After her win over Alma Garcia at BKFC 1, Rawlings was rewarded the National Police Gazette women’s bare knuckle boxing belt. With the win on Saturday, Rawlings retained her title.
“Capturing my bare knuckle title and now defending it has been such an honor,” added Rawlings. “When I first got into bare knuckle I had no idea the history and everything. I just thought it was a new and fun way to test myself. Then I got this belt after my win at the first show and I found out what a huge deal this is.”
Rawlings concluded, “I’m healthy thankfully. My hands were actually more swollen after my first bare knuckle fight. I’ll probably be good to go again in December, but I’m the champion and I’m here to fight whoever they put in front of me.”
The first of two heavyweight tournament semi-final bouts saw thunderous exchanges as Arnold Adams stopped Joey Beltran :09 into the fifth frame. An extremely calm and collected Adams controlled much of the action.
“I knew I would get the win. I wasn’t really worried about Beltran, he’s had a lot of battles,” said Adams. “I just don’t think he has this in him anymore, but he has heart and he showed it tonight that he wants to compete. I’m hungry though, he’s been to the top and competed on some big shows. I haven’t quite gotten there yet, but this is my time and I’m going to seize the moment.”
In the opening round, Adams cut Beltran over his left eye. As the end of the fourth round neared, Adams landed another devastating blow that further opened the cut, forcing the ringside doctor to stop the fight.
“I cut him in the first round, but that last jab that cut him I saw the blood pouring out around his eye,” added Adams. “Like a shark, I locked in on him. I was licking my lips, my eyes got big and I did what I needed to get the win.”
In the second heavyweight tournament semi-final, Sam Shewmaker defeated Maurice Jackson by split decision (49-45, 48-45, 48-46).
“I was trying to get inside and go to work, but he just wanted to keep wrapping me up,” said Shewmaker. “His style really prevented me from using my game plan. Every time I went inside he’d clinch. It was very frustrating. And it’s hard to work from a distance with a guy that’s so tall.”
Jackson did manage to land some clean shots, catching Shewmaker with a left hook that dropped him in the second round.
“He got me with some good shots, one kind of behind my head that knocked me down, but I just popped back up and kept fighting,” added Shewmaker. “The knockdown didn’t really bother me, just knocked me a little off balance. I felt fine shortly after.”
The wins by Adams and Shewmaker set up the finals of the heavyweight tournament with the pair expected to face each other at BKFC 3.
“It’s time to turn it up,” said Adams. “Sam Shewmaker has power in both hands, but I’m ready for anyone.”
“I expect fireworks when I face Adams,” said Shewmaker. “He has a good jab, but I have a good jab too and I like to bang. So, it should make for a great matchup in the finals.”
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About Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
On June 2, 2018, Philadelphia-based Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) made combat sports history when it promoted the first legal, sanctioned and regulated bare knuckle event in the United States since 1889. “BKFC 1: The Beginning” took place in Cheyenne, Wyoming and featured 10 professional bouts, all under the auspices and control of the Wyoming Combative Sports Commission.
BKFC uses only established fighters who have previously competed professionally in boxing, MMA, kickboxing and/or Muay Thai. All BKFC bouts are sanctioned and regulated by ABC member Athletic Commissions.
For more information visit www.bareknuckle.tv or follow on Twitter at @BareKnuckleFC, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/bareknucklefc and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bareknucklefc.
Bare Knuckle Boxing Returns TONIGHT…Watch Right Here
This second show in the budding new phenomenon of Bare Knuckle Boxing (legalized) is available to purchase on FITE at a PPV price of $29.99 USD and will go live at 8PM Eastern TONIGHT from the Mississippi Coast Coliseum.
Click on the link below to learn more or watch live in the player below.
M-1 Challenge 96 OFFICIAL WEIGHTS & PICTURES
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(L) Daniel Swain (18-8-1, M-1: 1-0-1), USA 145 lbs. (65,8 kg)
(R) Alexey Ilyenko (8-0-1, M-1: 1-0-0), Russia 154 lbs. (69,95 kg)
NEF ANNOUNCES BIGGEST FIGHT CARD IT HAS EVER BROUGHT TO BANGOR
Bangor, Maine (August 24, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) will hold its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 35: Wicked Season,” on September 8 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. The event will mark the fourth time since 2013 that NEF has visited the Queen City. Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the full fight card planned for the evening.
The exciting main event will feature two popular Bangor-area athletes doing battle as Jon Lemke (7-8) meets Aaron “Relentless” Lacey (5-2) in a lightweight contest. Lemke, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, trains with Titan Athletics in neighboring Brewer, Maine, while Lacey represents Young’s MMA of Bangor.
The co-main event will see Lacey’s teammate, and reigning NEF Professional Lightweight Champion, “The” Ryan Sanders (16-9) taking on Armando “Big Chino” Montoya (10-6) in a non-title welterweight scrap. Sanders is coming off a huge submission win earlier this summer in Portland, Maine. Montoya, who represents First Class MMA of Brunswick, Maine, will debut in the Pine Tree State after a decade-long career on the southwest MMA circuit.
In another highly-anticipated professional fight, Caleb Hall (1-0) of the Choi Institute in Portland will face another Young’s MMA team member in the form of CJ Ewer (3-1). After a successful amateur career that saw him capture the NEF Amateur Featherweight Title, Hall impressed with a first-round submission of veteran John Ortolani (8-12) earlier this year in his pro debut. Ewer, a member of the United States Air Force security forces, closed out “NEF 30” last August in Bangor winning the promotion’s pro middleweight strap over Mike Hansen (5-9).
The amateur portion of the fight card will be headlined by a title fight as Pat “PK” Kelly (4-0) puts both his lightweight belt and undefeated record on the line against the challenge of Ed Forlenza (2-2). Kelly, who turned 54 last week, is a legend of Maine wrestling mats as both a competitor and coach and a member of the Maine Amateur Wrestling Hall of Fame. He vows that this will be the final fight of his MMA career. Forlenza took the fight on short notice after Kelly’s previous challenger dropped out due to injury. He is a member of team Juniko based in Hyannis, Massachusetts. Forlenza is no stranger to the NEF cage. He won his amateur debut at “NEF 23” in the summer of 2016 on Cape Cod.
Speaking of wrestling coaches, “NEF 35” will also feature the amateur debut of Shawn Costigan (0-0). Costigan is a member of the Bucksport High School wrestling coaching staff. He will represent Young’s MMA in his cage debut when he takes on the fellow-debuting David Hills (0-0).
Also on the amateur card will be the brother of CJ Ewer, Roger Ewer (1-0). A pharmacist by day, Roger made his amateur debut last year at “NEF 30” in Bangor with a second round technical knockout of Dustin Freeman (0-1). At “NEF 35,” he will take on Jason Hanley (0-0) of Orchard Park Martial Arts in western New York state.
The full “NEF 35” fight card (subject to change):
PROFESSIONAL MMA
155 Aaron Lacey 5-2 (Young’s MMA) vs Jon Lemke 7-8 (Titan Athletics)
170 Ryan Sanders 16-9 (Young’s MMA) vs Armando Montoya 10-6 (First Class MMA)
185 Crowsneck Boutin 2-3 (Bad Little Falls Dojo) vs Mark Gardner 0-0 (The Academy)
155 CJ Ewer 3-1 (Young’s MMA) vs Caleb Hall 1-0 (Choi Insistute)
155 Josh Harvey 4-0 (Young’s MMA) vs Jay Ellis 15-77 (Team Knockout)
145 Zenon Herrera 1-6 (Team SMOG) vs Ernesto Ornelas 3-7 (Choi Institute)
AMATEUR MMA
155* Title Pat Kelly 4-0 (Young’s MMA) vs Ed Forlenza 2-2 (Juniko)
170 David Hart 0-3 (Kenney’s MMA) vs Christian Barrett 1-0 (First Class MMA)
155 Zac Richard 1-0 (Nostos) vs Clifford Redman 0-5 (Independent)
150 Taylor Bartlett 1-1 (CMBJJ) vs Jacob Deppmeyer 1-1 (First Class MMA)
265 Roger Ewer 1-0 (Young’s MMA) vs Jason Hanley 0-0 (Orchard Park Martial Arts)
180 Jordan Norman 0-1 (Bad Little Falls Dojo) vs Brandon Schwinck 0-2 (Independent)
145 Joe Howard 1-0 (CMBJJ) vs Jordan Young 0-1 (Independent)
155 Jesse Fitzsimmons 0-0 (Nostos) vs AJ Morales 0-0 (Orchard Park Martial Arts)
145 Shawn Costigan 0-0 (Young’s MMA) vs David Hills 0-0 (Independent)
135 Nate Boucher 2-3 (CMBJJ) vs Joshua Greenlaw 0-2 (Independent)
160 Andrew Brown 0-0 (Nostos) vs Chris Lachcik 0-0 (Independent)
Philly Heavyweight Joey Dawejko Puts UK Olympian Joe Joyce on Blast for Taking Easier Fight
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After being stepped over as Joe Joyce’s next opponent, Philadelphia fan favorite Joey Dawejko is calling out the highly touted UK-based heavyweight for taking the easy road.
Since turning professional, Joyce, the outspoken 2016 Olympic Super-Heavyweight Silver Medal Winner and now Commonwealth (British Empire) Heavyweight Champion, has made a habit of publicly calling out the division’s top contenders and champions.
But Dawejko says Joyce’s antics may be just for show, and in reality, his representatives are very protective of their charge.
Dawejko (19-5-4, 11 KOs) says he was offered and accepted the opportunity to face Joyce (5-0, 5 KOs) on the undercard of former welterweight champions Danny Garcia and Shawn Porter’s Saturday, September 8, showdown at the Barclays Center – only to find out Joyce had instead chosen to face Ohio’s Devin Vargas.
Dawejko has spent his professional career as a respected gatekeeper in the division. The 28-year-old has had competitive battles with several of the division’s best and even gave top contender Jarrell Miller the only blot on his undefeated record when he held him to a draw in 2013.
Vargas was a successful amateur boxer, but the former Olympian has sputtered as a professional. He has lost five of his last eight fights and is coming off a first-round knockout loss.
“I got the call the other day from my manager saying we had an offer to fight him and we accepted,” explained Dawejko, “then I found out he took an easier fight. I’m kind of pissed off about it because it was a good opportunity for me. They chose the safe route because they’re definitely protecting him. They talk a good game, but at the end of the day they just want easy fights.”
Dawejko says exposing Joyce would have given him the chance to finally break through to the upper echelon.
“They’re building this guy like he’s something special and he’s not. I see nothing special about him. He has size, but that doesn’t matter. I don’t think he’s as good as people are making him out to be. I could definitely beat him. He’s big and slow and gets hit a lot and his defense isn’t there. I know I could beat him.”
Not giving up, Dawejko wants Joyce to know he’d be happy to face him in his next fight… if Joyce isn’t too timid.
“If he really wants to challenge himself, step up and fight me. I‘m ready to go at any time. I’ll fight him any day of the week.”
About Greg Cohen Promotions
One of boxing’s premier promotional outfits, Greg Cohen Promotions (GCP) is a well-respected name for staging world-class professional boxing events and promoting elite professional fighters throughout the world.
Founder and CEO Greg Cohen has been involved with professional boxing in various capacities since the late 1980s, honing his craft and establishing himself as a shrewd international boxing businessman.
Distinguished by his ability to spot and develop raw talent, Cohen first made promotional headlines for his expert guidance of, among many others, former WBA Junior Middleweight Champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout, who Cohen helped guide from unknown New Mexico prospect to elite pay-per-view level superstar.
In addition to Trout, Greg Cohen Promotions has worked with established names such as former unified and two-time heavyweight champion Hasim “The Rock” Rahman and all-time-great multiple-weight class world champion James “Lights Out” Toney.
Cohen currently promotes undefeated WBO NABO Heavyweight Champion a top contender Jarrell Miller, top-rated middleweight contender Robert Brant, and former WBO NABO Lightweight Champion and world-rated contender Mason Menard, among many others.
Greg Cohen Promotions has hosted world-class boxing events in the finest venues throughout the United States and the world and has also proudly provided talent and/or content for several television networks including CBS Sports Network, HBO, Showtime, ESPN, NBC Sports Network, CBS Sports Network, MSG and FOX Sports Net.
For more information, visit gcpboxing.com. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GCPBoxing. Twitter: @GCPBoxing.
Coyle forced to withdraw from October 6 fight
Tampa, FL (August 24, 2018) – Connor “The Kid” Coyle was forced to withdraw from his October 6 bout as part of Fire Fist Boxing Promotions’ “Night of Champions” card in St. Petersburg, FL.
During his training camp in Ireland, Coyle’s back began to swell and cause him pain. The unbeaten 28-year-old battled through the back problems and continued training. Unfortunately, the pain got worse and aggressively spread throughout his body.
Coyle then checked into a local hospital. Doctors believe he has an inflammatory infection and ran a number of tests. In the interim, Coyle must refrain from training during the next 6 weeks.
“I’d like to sincerely apologize to my fans for being unable to compete,” said Coyle, who is 8-0 and coming off a dominant stoppage victory in June. “This is a bump in the road and I’ll be back more motivated to focus on another fight soon.”
Jody Caliguire of Fire Fist Boxing Promotions believes Coyle will come back strong when the time is right but is most concerned about his fighter’s current health.
“I feel terrible about this entire situation because Connor is like a son to me,” said Caliguire. “This is extremely unfortunate and Connor needs to get the proper rest to ensure his body is ready whenever he decides he’s healthy enough to return to training.”
Coyle was scheduled to headline for the ABF Continental Americas middleweight championship and a new main event will be announced shortly.
For more information on Fire Fist Boxing Promotions, visit Firefistboxing.net.
Three-Hour Premier Boxing Champions Show Features Jamal James Delivering Second Round Knockout of Mahonry Montes in Front of Hometown Crowd Friday Night on FS1 & FOX Deportes from The Armory in Minneapolis
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MINNEAPOLIS (August 24, 2018) – Welterweight contender Jamal James (24-1, 11 KOs)gave his hometown crowd a treat as he sent Mahonry Montes (35-8-1, 24 KOs)to the canvas for a second round knockout in the main event of a jam-packed three-hour night of Premier Boxing Champions action Friday fromthe Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
“I came out here to make a statement and I’m even happier to be able to do it right here at home,” said James. “The support in Minnesota is amazing and it gave me the extra motivation to get the job done in spectacular fashion. Everyone knows I attack the body and tonight I was able to use it to get the finish”
In his second straight fight at the Armory, James made a statement by quickly dispatching Mexico’s Montes with a punishing left hook to the body that left his opponent crumpled on the canvas.
James broke through in the last 30 seconds of the second round, landing numerous unanswered right hands that put Montes in immediate trouble. James finished the show with the devastating body shot that eventually forced referee Mark Nelson to halt the bout at 2:58 of the round.
“I feel like I’m ready for the elite welterweights and tonight proved it again,” said James. “I’m going to keep working hard and taking down anyone they put in front of me. It’s time for me to make my mark in the division.”
In the co-main event, middleweight contender Willie Monroe Jr. (23-3, 6 KOs) showed off his boxing skill and picked apart Javier Francisco Maciel (33-7, 23 KOs) to score a unanimous decision in their 10-round bout.
Monroe was dominant with his jab, movement and an array of offensive attacks. He was able to vary his punches enough to keep the aggressive Maciel from landing anything that caused damage.
Maciel looked to score with power punches and body shots, but the former title challenger Monroe was comfortable on the outside and mixing it up inside on his way to winning the fight by scores of 99-91 and 100-90 twice.
The opening bout of the telecast featured fast-rising prospect and 2016 Lithuanian Olympian Eimantas Stanionis (7-0, 5 KOs) as he earned a unanimous decision over Levan Ghvamichava (18-4-1, 13 KOs)in their eight-round welterweight matchup.
Stanionis rode a powerful jab and sharp combination punching to the dominant victory as he faced the toughest opposition of his pro career to date. Ghvamichava was game and tried to counter the hard-charging Stanionis but was too often taking the worst of exchanges on the inside. At the end of the action all three judges saw the bout in favor of Stanionis by scores of 80-72 and 79-73 twice.
Additional action saw Jeison Rosario (16-1-1, 11 KOs) score a unanimous decision over Jamontay Clark (13-1, 7 KOs) in their 10-round super welterweight bout.
Rosario scored a highlight reel knockdown with a counter right hand in the third round that saw Clark tumble out of the ring. Clark was able to return to the ring and beat the count, but he took more damage throughout the bout before losing the decision by scores of 99-90, 98-91 and 97-92, all in favor of Rosario.
A scheduled heavyweight bout ended in shocking fashion before it ever began, as heavyweight prospect Efe Ajagba (6-0, 5 KOs) was awarded a victory by disqualification against Curtis Harper (13-6, 9 KOs) when Harper exited the ring moments after the opening bell rang, opting not to face Ajagba.
Prelims on FS1 and FOX Deportes saw rising super welterweight prospect Sebastian Fundora (10-0, 6 KOs) stop Antonio Urista (10-3, 2 KOs)at 2:22 of the fourth round, undefeated super welterweight Leon Lawson (8-0, 4 KOs) win a unanimous decision over Brandon Adams (4-7-1, 2 KOs) in their six-round fight and unbeaten prospect Gary Antonio Russell (12-0,10 KOs) score a first round knockout of Nick Otieno (31-15, 13 KOs) just 1:18 into the round.
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Fans can live stream the fights on the FOX Sports app, available in English or Spanish through the FS1 or FOX Deportes feeds. The fights are available on desktop at FOXSportsGO.com and through the app store, or connected devices including Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, Xbox One and Roku. In addition, all programs are also available on FOX Sports on SiriusXM channel 83 on satellite radios and on the SiriusXM app.
For more information visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com.
Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @TGBPromotions, @WarriorsBoxProm, @FS1, @FOXDeportes and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, and www.facebook.com/foxdeportes. Highlights available at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions. PBC on FS1 & FOX Deportes was sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina and promoted by TGB Promotions and Warriors Boxing.
COMBATE AMERICAS ANNOUNCES NEW CO-MAIN EVENT, SIX OTHER NEW BOUTS FEATURING FIGHTERS REPRESENTING FIVE DIFFERENT COUNTRIES FOR ‘MARROQUIN VS. ALDAY’ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT
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NEW YORK – August 23, 2018 – Combate Americas today announced a new women’s flyweight (125 pounds) co-main event – Tracy Cortez (3-1) vs, Karen Cedillo (1-0) – as well as six other new bouts featuring fighters representing five different countries, for the premier Hispanic Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) franchise’s world championship event in Phoenix on Friday, Sept. 14, live on both Univision (12 a.m. ET/PT) and Univision Deportes Network (UDN) (12 a.m. ET/9 p.m. PT).
The unbeaten, 29=year-old Cedillo of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico will replace Brandi Narvaez, who was originally slated to face off with Cortez of Phoenix, but was forced to withdraw due to an injury.
In the previously announced, world championship bantamweight (135 pounds) main event, Monterrey’s Levy Saul Marroquin (11-2), the winner of the inaugural, 2017 “COPA COMBATE,” one-night, eight-man, $100,000 grand prize tournament, will collide with fellow star Jose “Pochito” Alday (11-3-1) of Tucson, Ariz. via Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico.
Among the other new fights announced today for the “Combate Americas: Marroquin vs. Alday” world championship event that will take place at Celebrity Theatre were a featured, live televised lightweight (155 pounds) contest between undefeated, rising star and Cub Swanson protégé Rafa “Gifted” Garcia (7-0) and LaRue “The Cannibal” Burley (8-3).
The 5-foot-7, 24-year-old Garcia of Palm Springs, Calif., USA by way of Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico, has been on a tear since he made his professional debut nearly four years ago, defeating all but one of his opponents via (T)KO or submission.
Burley, a 5-foot-10, 34-year-old, seasoned competitor who hails from Phoenix, has faced off with top level adversaries, and is best known for his upset, third round (3:40) TKO (knee strike to the body and punches) of 2011 NCAA Division I national wrestling champion and previously undefeated MMA prospect Bubba Jenkins on Sept. 20, 2013.
Also announced today was a featherweight (145 pounds) preliminary bout card contest between two unbeaten prospects – Tino Gilaranz (1-0) of Madrid, Spain and Austin Wourms (1-0) of Phoenix.
In a 140-pound catchweight matchup on the undercard, Roman “El Gallito” Salazar (12-7) of Mammoth, Ariz., USA will return to La Jaula, the Combate Americas cage, for the second time in his career, to face Eduardo “El Pube” Alvarado (3-4) of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.
Another featherweight scrap will see Javier “Blair” Reyes Rugeles (7-1) of Bogota, Colombiá square off with “Magic” Mike Hamel (5-2) of Gilbert, Ariz., USA.
In flyweight action, undefeated, rising star Richard Palencia (6-0) of Mesa, Ariz. will take on Federico “The Argentinian Ninja” Oliveira (3-4) of Mendoza, Argentina.
Battle-tested veterans Yaotzin Meza (21-11) of Glendale, Ariz., USA and Gilbert Aguilar (17-18-1) of Phoenix by way of Mexico City, Mexico will collide at featherweight.
Additional preliminary bout matchups for “Combate Americas: Marroquin vs. Alday” will be announced soon.
Priced from $30, tickets for “Combate Americas: Marroquin vs. Alday” are on sale at
CelebrityTheatre.com and Ticketon.com.
Doors at Celebrity Theatre open at 6 p.m. PT, with the first preliminary bout beginning at 7 p.m.
BARE KNUCKLE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP (BKFC) FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS
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BILOXI, MS. (August 23, 2018) – After successfully holding the first legal, regulated and sanctioned bare knuckle event in the United States since 1889 in June, Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) returns this Saturday, August 25 with “BKFC 2: A New Era” from the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, Mississippi and live on pay-per-view.
Fighters entering the ring for Saturday’s event spoke to media Thursday at Harrah’s Gulf Coast in Biloxi to talk about BKFC, their respective showdowns and more two days before the monumental fight night.
Saturday matchups will feature “Queen of Bare Knuckle” Bec Rawlings and pro boxer Britain Hart, who meet in a 125-pound clash, “Ultimate Fighter” season three winner Kendall Grove and Bruce Abramski, who compete in a 185-pound bout and pro MMA and boxing veteran Chris Lytle and Drew Lipton, who will square-off in a 175-pound fight.
BKFC 2 will also see the semi-finals of the BKFC heavyweight tournament featuring Sam Shewmaker taking on Maurice Jackson and Arnold Adamsfacing Joey Beltran. In addition, fans will be treated to local attraction and Gulfport Police Officer Harris Stephenson, who battles Jorge Gonzalez in a 170-pound match.
Tickets are available now exclusively at www.bareknuckle.tv ranging from $35 to $250. “BKFC 2: A New Era” will be broadcast across the United States and Canada, exclusively on pay-per-view through MultiVision Media, Inc., on all major television and streaming distribution outlets for $29.95.
Here are what press conference participants had to say Thursday:
BEC RAWLINGS
“Training in California was great to just get acclimated to the time change and the weather, because it’s winter in Australia. We went back to my old gym, Alliance MMA, and just finished off camp there. It was a really good finish to the camp. We had time to not feel rushed and get into fight mode.
“My opponent is very confident, just from what I’ve seen of her today she’s very confident in her skill set. But, I feel like confidence sometimes is the downfall of people. I don’t think she realizes this is bare knuckle boxing. This is not professional boxing, we don’t have gloves on and you can’t get away with the stuff that you can get away with in normal boxing. I think it’s going to take me punching her in the face to realize that.
“I definitely feel like I have the edge, I have the experience not only in MMA with the small gloves but experience with having my debut on BKFC 1. I don’t think it’ll make it past the third round.
“Having the bare knuckle experience is a huge advantage. I went into that last fight with a lot of unknown. I had so much fun out there and saw how my style really suits this sport. I’m taking that into this fight. I’m relaxed, I’m ready to go and I’m excited to get in there.
“I think she fancies herself a boxer, so I think she might stick behind her jab, stick and move that kind of thing. I’m ready for either style. I thought that my last opponent was going to do that but she came out swinging. I’m ready either way. You’re always guaranteed fireworks when I’m fighting. It doesn’t matter who I’m put in front of, you know it has to be a fight, and that’s what you can expect Saturday night.
“It’s been really awesome to be a trailblazer for BKFC. I knew I would get some news and some press and that people would like what I’m doing. The support has really been amazing. I’ve gotten so many fans and so much new respect from other fighters as well. It’s definitely taking off, and it’s really cool to be at the forefront of the whole thing.”
KENDALL GROVE
“I don’t really know what to expect. I’m a fighter and I’m of course coming to fight. But we’ll see if I’m going to be a smart fighter like I said I’d be. I could jab and pick my spots and put him away. But then again brawling has got me to where I am and got me a lot of notoriety. So why can’t I do both? Of course, once you get hit, everything goes out the window. Ego gets involved and sometimes you just go for it.
“There might be some more stinging and burning than I usually feel in a gloved fight. I sparred without gloves a while ago because I was curious and I felt some of that. My hands felt alright but there is that slightly different sensation from the bone on bone contact.
“This is going to be a real fight. I respect my opponent and I know he’s coming to give me his best. He’s going to come for me. But I’m going to do me and figure out how to get the win.
“I’m very excited to be a part of BKFC. This is a great organization and I’m going to try to make a great impression on everyone.
“It’s definitely been an interesting 48-hours trying to get here from Hawaii. Luckily I was able to take care of everything at home and make sure my family is prepared for the hurricane. Now I’m here and ready to go.”
CHRIS LYTLE
“I think no matter what you’re going to see two people who are trying to knock each other out. I don’t believe in decisions. If you got two really tough guys and they land a lot of punches and nobody goes down, you’re going to have a great fight and people are going to like it.
“My goal is to go out there and hit him as hard as I can and I think he’s going to have the same strategy against me. So I anticipate a really exciting fight. You’re not going to be bored during our fight.
“Here’s the thing, I’ve had a lot of fights, probably 100 of one form of combat sports or another, so I know what I’m getting in to. I fought many times. There’s going to be a little bit of moving around and me trying to be a little bit smarter. With bare knuckles you can’t do the same things as with gloves on.
“This is so cool for me. I always get people talking to me saying: ‘Why don’t you come back for one more fight?’ ‘I want to see you fight.’ It seems to be the first point of conversation always. So just being able to do this again, I’m very excited. I’ve talked to a lot of people who are very excited for me to come back and do something. I look forward for them being able to watch on the pay-per-view level.
“I’m really looking forward to being out there and getting the feel of being in the ring again. I’ve had a lot of boxing matches, but I haven’t been able to box in an awful long time, as I was mainly doing UFC. So to be back in the boxing ring is going to make me very happy.
“We’re both going to throw hard punches. I think somebody’s going to land a better one and I think somebody’s going to get hurt.”
SAM SHEWMAKER
“It was an honor to be a part of the first event. It’s history in the making. It’s also a humbling experience and a lot of fun. The fans, the promotional team, and everyone that put it all together just made it a great time.
“To be able to have a victory like that, a highlight-reel finish, was amazing. I had never fought on a stage that big and it was just awesome to have the exposure and to be able to put on a good show for the fans.
“There’s going to be fireworks Saturday night. It might not be as quick of a finish, but I can tell you it’s not going to be a decision. Somebody is going down I can promise you that.
“This is going to be a brawl. He wants to stay on the outside, he’s going to want to use his jab and his straight right to keep me to the outside. I want to get chest to chest with this guy and just bang him up on the inside. So I’m expecting it to be a dog fight and I’m predicting a first-round knockout.”
HARRIS STEPHENSON
“I just want to say that I’m happy to be here and I can’t tell you how special this promotion has been. I’m so thrilled that my home has accepted BKFC with open arms and I hope we can have several more events here.
“Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum is a huge venue and I think we’re going to pack it. I’m happy that I’m going to be fighting early on the card, because I want to see these fights myself. These are action-packed bouts and I assure you that you don’t want to miss it.”
DAVID FELDMAN, Founder and President of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
“It’s my great pleasure to be here in the great state of Mississippi, which is officially the second state to allow bare knuckle fighting in the history of the United States. I’m very excited about the response we’ve gotten from the fans here and I know the fighters can’t wait to put on a show for them.
“It gives me chills to say that we’re here for Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 2. The first BKFC show was titled ‘The Beginning’, because it was truly the beginning of something special. Now we’ve named this show ‘A New Era’, because we really are officially ushering in a new era in combat sports.
“We have some of the best fighters in the world and fighters who have fought on really big stages. They’re all excited to be a part of this growing sport. We have fighters from all around the world stepping into the ring for a slew of sensational matchups.”
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About Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
On June 2, 2018, Philadelphia-based Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) made combat sports history when it promoted the first legal, sanctioned and regulated bare knuckle event in the United States since 1889. “BKFC 1: The Beginning” took place in Cheyenne, Wyoming and featured 10 professional bouts, all under the auspices and control of the Wyoming Combative Sports Commission.
BKFC uses only established fighters who have previously competed professionally in boxing, MMA, kickboxing and/or Muay Thai. All BKFC bouts are sanctioned and regulated by ABC member Athletic Commissions.
For more information visit www.bareknuckle.tv or follow on Twitter at @BareKnuckleFC, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/bareknucklefc and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bareknucklefc.