BKFC’s current Pound-for-Pound Number 1 may not be everyone’s favourite, but you can’t deny his greatness.
Lorenzo Hunt (Right) lands a right hand on Chris Camozzi at BKFC 50. (Photo courtesy: BKFC)
Every story needs a villain, but in order to be the bad guy, you also have to be good. This might not make any sense, but it is absolutely the case with BKFC Pound-for-Pound Number 1, Lorenzo “The Juggernaut” Hunt.
In 2018, Hunt held a 3-5 record in MMA, with four of those losses having come via submission. While he clearly held power in his hands, he still had limitations that prevented him from reaching the top of the sport. It was obvious that a change was needed.
This may have been a blessing in disguise though, because also in 2018, BKFC began to promote legal, sanctioned Bare Knuckle fighting in North America. After successfully testing the waters in BYB, Hunt would join BKFC in 2019 at 37 years old. While he may not have raised eyebrows in the ring to begin with, starting 1-1 with both ending via KO, he was more than able to promote fights thanks to his trash talk and backstage antics. But Hunt showed he wasn’t one to give up, and fought in his third bout with the promotion in late 2020.
It was here that he would really earn himself the nickname “The Juggernaut”, sending Erick Lozano to the mat with a thud for an absolutely brutal knockout. This would jumpstart his rise to stardom, with fast hands to match his mouth, he would win by stoppage in his next three fights. The KO streak culminated in his feud with Héctor Lombard. After Lombard had beaten Joe Riggs for the vacant light heavyweight title, Hunt jumped into the squared circle and got up in the newly crowned champion’s grill, getting a couple of shots to the head in return. Things would get even more heated when Hunt interrupted Lombard’s press conference and stole his belt, setting up a grudge match for the title in November 2021. These two absolutely hated each other, and they fought like it. They would trade massive punches for all five rounds, but ultimately Hunt would walk away as champion, winning by unanimous decision.
Lorenzo Hunt (Right) lands a right hand on Hector Lombard during their fight at BKFC 22. (Photo courtesy: BKFC)
Hunt would continue his dominance, stopping Joe Riggs in the second round of his first defence. His antics would continue, with every sharp barb thrown, there was an equally strong to follow.
His skills and charisma would earn him an opportunity to compete for a second world title. He would take full advantage of this, stopping Quentin Henry in the third round to win the vacant BKFC Cruiserweight Championship. With this win he became just the second man in company history to hold belts in multiple weight classes simultaneously.
Following this, Hunt would go back down to light heavyweight to defend his other belt. In the main event of Knucklemania 3, he would take on Mike Richman in maybe the craziest fight you’ll ever see. After getting knocked down himself with 30 seconds remaining in the first round, Hunt responded with one of the most vicious KOs you’ll ever see, leaving Richman flat on his back and flapping his lips.
Keeping his championship in stunning fashion, Hunt once again proved that he is built for this sport. He has become the embodiment of why Bare Knuckle has made its return, it’s a sport for those who wish to stand and bang. He’s not just a knockout artist either, as his most recent bout was a five-round slugfest victory over Chris Camozzi where he showed he still has a chin and his cardio. Now, the Juggernaut is set to take on possibly his toughest challenge yet, as he’ll drop both his belts to take on Mick Terril for the BKFC Heavyweight championship at Knucklemania 4 on April 27th.
From a struggling MMA fighter to an all-time Bare Knuckle great looking to make history as BKFC’s first three-division champion. At 41, Lorenzo Hunt is the villain Bare Knuckle needs because he’s just that good.
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