Keith Richardson has been in gun fights, he is not going to let a fist fight intimidate him.
(Photo courtesy: BKFC)
On June 21st, 2024, BKFC Bantamweight Champion Keith “Rockstar” Richardson (4-0, 3 KO’s) will make the first defense of his gold against the undefeated top prospect Alberto Blas (4-0, 4 KO’s).
Richardson’s nickname is a perfect fit for who he is as a person and a fighter. He started his combat sports career in MMA and wrestling but turned down a scholarship for wrestling to join the Marine Corp. He spent enough time there to be enlisted and promoted to Corporal leading a crew of double digits into combat. He considers that to be “one of the greatest accomplishments in my life.” Richardson said in an interview with Adam Hunt from Bare Knuckle Nation. Despite leaving the Marine’s with the unfortunate reality of struggles with depression and PTSD, he credits his experiences for making him the fighter he is today. The World Champion he is today.
“I was a former gun fighter, I’m not going to be intimidated by a fist fight… I’d hate to be the one that has to try to take something away from me… I’ve seen some of my best friends die in front of me, just to get back up the next day and carry out the same job that got them killed… There is nothing that will prepare you mentally as much as that… There is nothing that can break me now.”
Richardson also owns a gym where all sorts of combat fighters train. One of the first bare knucklers he trained was Taylor Starling. It was her first fight in BKFC that gave Richardson the itch for the sport. Eventually, on January 27th, 2023, he would make his debut against Justin Scoggins but not before he had to deal with some more hardship. About a week and a half from the debut, his father, his “Superman”, passed away. Instead of pulling out of the fight Richardson channeled his inner Rockstar to push through.
The fight would go all five rounds but at the end of it, Richardson’s hand was raised and thus began his BKFC career and one of the best years in company history. A fight and year that he would dedicate to his late father. A span of four fights, four wins, three stoppages, capped off with a world title.
After Scoggins, came Cody Jenkins, who he stopped in the first round, then came Derek Perez, who he stopped in under 40 seconds, then came the title shot against the defending champion Reggie Barnett Jr. An opponent that had been talked about from the beginning. All of these fights within 10 months. And as expected Richardson walked into that title fight as the underdog. But that didn’t matter.
Rockstar would put on a show, beating Barnett up right from the opening bell, eventually stopping him in the first minute of the second round. The best moment of his extensive combat sports career. All for his father. He says that he loves watching the fight back, but he actually can’t watch the announcement because he knows who he’s thinking of, who he’s looking up to.
Winning is something he’s used to. He says he’s unlike most of the former MMA fighters that make the transition to bare knuckle.
“I didn’t come to bare knuckle because I was losing in MMA, I haven’t lost since 2018.”
And the fact checkers can confirm he’s right. Currently riding a 9-fight win streak across both sports.
On June 21st, he attempts to continue that streak and make a successful first defense of his championship gold. And according to Richardson, Blas is in for a very tough night.
“I dropped Reggie [Barnett] with both hands in both stances. So, it’s basically like you’re fighting two people… You’re not going to see the one that drops you.”
Keith Richardson embodies everything a rockstar would be if it was just a person rather than a musician. He takes on every challenge thrown his way. He has no shortage of motivation. He is a champion. And he has no plans on stopping anytime soon.
“I’m going to ride this out until the wheels fall off.”
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