BKFC’s final event of the calendar ends the year with a bang.
As we rush towards the holiday season, everyone is doing their last minute shopping and just under the wire we get one last gift, BKFC Hollywood, a championship double header on December 21st.
BKFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jared Warren (7-2, 5 KO), will make the first defence of his gold when he faces perennial contender Mike Richman (6-2, 6 KO). Warren won his belt back in June in a rematch with Jomi Escoboza, winning by a wide margin on the cards. Richman earned this shot when he collected a knockout win over Erick Lozano in his lone appearance of the year back in April.
Both of these guys have knockout power, Warren has collected stoppages in five of his seven wins, while Richman has a stop in all six of his wins. Richman’s only losses to date have come in world title fights; “The Marine” will be looking to make the third time the charm. Warren on the other hand is fighting for more than just to keep his belt. During Hurricane Helene, Warren and his partner Crystal Pittman lost nearly all of their possessions due to flooding and were forced from their home. Despite living in a friend's RV for most of his camp, he was adamant in not postponing the fight.
In the co-main event it’s BKFC Flyweight Champion Christine Ferea (9-1, 6 KO) vs. Christine Vicens (3-0, 2 KO), winner gets the BKFC Flyweight title, while the loser has to change their name. Yes, I’m kidding.
Ferea is the greatest womens bare knuckler of all time; her record is unmatched in the sport. However, Vicens was on the path to elite status, including a stoppage win over Jade Masson-Wong in her debut, before she took time away from the sport. Upon her return, she smashed former world title challenger Melanie Shah in just one round.
Straight up, Ferea doesn’t have any weaknesses. She's responsible defensively, can stay active in the clinch, and throws combinations with conviction. However, Vicens has two wins by stoppage, one by doctor and one by corner, meaning the deceptive strength she carries wears her opponents down, and quickly. Ferea has never faltered since becoming champion, but Vicens will push her to the brink and could very well collect the upset of the year.
Photo Courtesy of BKFC.
Other bright spots on the card include yet another appearance from heavyweight contender Leonardo Perdomo (5-0, 5 KO). The young Cuban crusher has shot up through the bare knuckle ranks collecting three devastating first round wins already this year and is looking for his fourth when he faces Levi Da Costa (2-2, 1 KO). And one would think with a win, he could be next in line for the winner of Mick Terrill and Ben Rothwell, who are set to square off for the heavyweight title in January. Costa got his bare knuckle start in BKFC before a brief stint in BYB. He now goes straight back into the fire taking on the most dangerous knockout artist in the heavyweight division.
Perdomo won’t be the only Cuban knockout artist on the card as Bryan Duran (6-1, 6 KO) will make his return to the squared circle after being out with an injury he sustained in his loss to Kai Stewart. Duran was on a tear through the featherweight division winning his first six fights all by knockout. However, he is in tough with Kassim Ruffin (2-0, 2 KO), who's starting off on a similar footing as Duran, winning his first two bouts by KO.
The final cherry on top is an appearance from fan favourite Justin Ibarolla (5-0, 2 KO). The undefeated bantamweight contender is making his fourth appearance of the year. With a win over his opponent Derek Perez (2-4, 1 KO), it could all but guarantee his shot at BKFC Bantamweight Champion Alberto Blas.
The last card of the year, with plenty on the line, is the perfect exclamation point for the BKFC 2024 calendar.
Top Photo Courtesy of BKFC.
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