With the champ Christine Ferea tied up, the 125-lb. title is in a state of limbo.
(Photo Courtesy: BKFC)
On Wednesday, April 24th, BKFC announced that the highly anticipated bout between Heather Hardy (Debut) and Christine Ferea (8-1, 6 KO’s) set for BKFC 61 has been postponed. The important part is that it hasn’t been canceled so, BKFC still fully intends on having these two square off. The problem is that even if the fight was to go on as planned, it was set to occur at 135-lbs. for the “Queen of Violence” title and not the 125-lb. Flyweight title. Meaning, the farther this can gets kicked down the road, the longer the flyweight title stays on ice.
For five years, this division has started and stopped with Ferea. She won the Police Gazette title in 2019 and then in 2022 when BKFC awarded its own title, she won that as well and has defended it three times since. But the division cannot be held up forever and with the Queen of Violence bout yet to be rescheduled, the show must go on. I am by no means alluding to the greatest female bare knuckler of all time being stripped but I am suggesting that BKFC should have an interim title fight.
In combat sports, interim titles have long been used as an official number-one contender bout, and with a batch of contenders recently bursting onto the scene, this could be the best option for all parties involved, including Ferea. For the contenders, it gives a clear path to Ferea. For the BKFC front office, it keeps the division moving instead of playing the waiting game. For Ferea, having another challenge emerge and pose a threat to her throne could add a spark for a high-profile defense. That is something she hasn’t exactly had, headlining just one event since becoming champion.
(Photo Courtesy: BKFC)
We’ve got the what and why covered, now let’s get to the who. One option without a doubt needs to be Canadian standout Jade Masson-Wong (3-1, 2 KO’s). The Quebec native has gone 3-1 since losing her MMA gloves and seals the deal with her latest performances. First, she beat former title challenger and number two-ranked flyweight Taylor Starling (4-2, 1 KO) in a one-sided bout, knocking Starling silly with a massive right hand in the third round before taking a clear decision.
(Photo Courtesy: BKFC)
Then 10 months later, Mason-Wong headlined BKFC’s first event in her home country. Matched up with fifth-ranked Gabrielle Roman (1-1-1, 1 KO), “Evil Smile” would bulldoze her adversary in just one minute, knocking her down twice before the fight was called. Currently ranked as the number one contender, Masson-Wong must fight for this, hypothetical, Interim title.
The two options for her opponent could be Christine Vicens (2-0, 1 KO) or Rosalinda Rodriguez (2-0, 1 KO). Vicens is the lone loss on Masson-Wong’s record, she's ranked third, and just had her next fight announced for June 21st, on BKFC 62 as she takes on Melanie Shah, who most recently lost to Britain Hart.
(Photo Courtesy: BKFC)
However, Rodriguez is the perfect fit. She’s 2-0 and comes into bare knuckle boasting a 13-0 record as a pro boxer. “Venom” already finds herself ranked in the top five, sitting fourth and coming off a stoppage victory in her home state of Florida just an hour from her hometown, the place went berserk from the very beginning of her fight.
A clash between these two would be a breath of fresh air for the flyweight division. And with the ultimate prize being a date with Ferea for the undisputed BKFC title, this would deliver as one of the best fights of the year.
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