Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) brought brutality, as always.
Mick Terrill scored his first BKFC title defense last night at KnuckleMania 4 (Sat., April 27, 2024) when he stopped two-division champion Lorenzo Hunt via TKO due to a dislocated elbow.
The co-main event fight lasted less than a round and was quite chaotic. With 20 seconds left in the round, Terrill landed a heavy uppercut, which sent Hunt to the floor. However, Hunt landed with his arm behind his back, which caused an elbow dislocation, ending the title fight.
Watch the video highlights below:
Lorenzo Hunt gets dropped and breaks his fucking arm!!!
Nick Terrell remains heavyweight champion after the obvious stoppage! #BKFCKM4 #BKFC pic.twitter.com/2HqmrLt2U0
— NoSmokeMMA (@NoSmokeMMA) April 28, 2024
Down goes Lorenzo Hunt! He informs the ref he’s dislocated his elbow and the fight is waived off. #KM4 on TrillerTV PPV pic.twitter.com/Evj1Lg3kLY
— TrillerTV (@FiteTV) April 28, 2024
Terrill, 40, is now riding a four-fight winning streak, all ending in stoppages. The Britsh fighter offered to rematch Hunt in his post-fight interview but is also open to matchups with Mark Hunt and Ben Rothwell.
Speaking of Rothwell, he knocked out Todd Duffee in less than 60 seconds in the ‘featured fight.’
Rothwell dropped Duffee 20 seconds into the fight with a nasty punch. Duffee got back to his feet, and seconds later, Rothwell dropped him again, to which Duffee told the referee he could not continue. Duffee kept pointing to his shoulder saying he got a stinger, but no specific injury was revealed.
Watch the video highlights below:
Ben Rothwell wins due to Todd Duffee falling and getting a stinger in his shoulder/neck..
What a strange ending! #BKFCKM4 #BKFC pic.twitter.com/WAIynQFSGT
— NoSmokeMMA (@NoSmokeMMA) April 28, 2024
Todd Duffee vs Ben Rothwell FULL FIGHT #BKFC #KnucklemaniaIV #Perry #Alves #UFCVegas91 pic.twitter.com/4sdFEEPPZ3
— Gamebred (@gamebredKO) April 28, 2024
Rothwell, 42, is now 3-0 in BKFC with three stoppage wins. After his win, he called for a BKFC Heavyweight title fight, which he will probably receive.
With how Duffee’s BKFC experience went, it’ll probably be one and done for the 38-year-old.
For complete BKFC KnuckleMania 4 results, coverage, and highlights click HERE.
During the BKFC KnuckleMania 4broadcast, it was announced Conor McGregor would make a “huge” announcement, and boy oh boy, “Notorious” delivered. In a video package, the former two-division UFC champion announced that he is now part owner of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC).
“What’s up Knucklemania!” McGregor said. “‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor here. Ladies and gentlemen, the huge announcement that I have for you today: Conor McGregor, myself, and McGregor Sports and Entertainment is now an owner of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. Welcome to the big leagues. David Feldman, baby, we did it.”
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The BKFC president did not reveal any details but was ecstatic about the new partnership.
“Look, you’ve got the biggest guy in all of combat sports right now as a part owner of our company,” Feldman said during the BKFC KnuckleMania 4 broadcast. “I think it’s just going to move the needle tremendously. We’re going to do a lot of big things. We’re going to open up a lot of new markets. We’re partners with Conor McGregor. Everybody in the combat sports world, everybody in the world knows who that guy is. So Conor, thank you, and let’s blow this sh-t up.”
During the post-fight press conference, Feldman added, “We’re going to take this motherf—king thing all the way to the top now.”
McGregor has been a fan of BKFC for several years and has helped promote it several times, even showing up at BKFC 41 last year to bring eyeballs to the product. McGregor’s Proper Twelve and Forged Irish Stout have also served as sponsorship partners of the promotion.
I’m sure we will hear more about the ownership in the coming days and months as McGregor prepares for his highly anticipated return later this summer against Michael Chandler at UFC 303.
For complete BKFC KnuckleMania 4 results, coverage, and highlights click HERE.
Photo By Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images
Conor McGregor is set to make a “huge” announcement for McGregor Sports and Entertainment during tonight’s (April 27, 2024) YouTube pay-per-view (PPV) broadcast of BKFC KnuckleMania 4 from inside Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California.
Tonight’s bareknuckle boxing card is one of the best of the year. Stacked with a main event clash between Mike Perry and Thiago Alves, a co-main event title fight involving heavyweights Mick Terrell and Lorenzo Hunt, and another heavyweight showdown between UFC veterans Ben Rothwell and Todd Duffee, the card is expected to draw a lot of interest.
McGregor, who is already in business with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), is taking full advantage of tonight’s large appeal for KnuckleMania 4. The former UFC double champion took to Instagram on Saturday night to tease a “huge” announcement on behalf of his sports and entertainment company. Check out McGregor’s post below:
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“BREAKING NEWS!!! Huge McGregor Sports and Entertainment announcement on the @bareknucklefc “Knucklemania” broadcast TONIGHT! Tune in to the PPV and find out what! @forgedirishstout @roadhousemovie @properwhiskey bkfc.com”
McGregor, who hasn’t fought since July 2021, is finally back in camp for his official return at UFC 303 this coming June. He’ll fight Michael Chandler in the main event and what should be another record-setting pay-per-view for the company. “Notorious” has even given up drinking in advance to his long-awaited comeback fight.
Stick with Mania for news on McGregor’s announcement at BKFC ‘KnuckleMania 4’ (results HERE)
UFC Vegas 91 headliner Matheus Nicolau. | Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
UFC Vegas 91 is live on ESPN tonight with Matheus Nicolau vs. Alex Perez in the main event. Follow tonight’s action here.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns to its APEX facility in Las Vegas, Nevada, for the UFC Vegas 91 mixed martial arts (MMA) event TONIGHT (Sat., April 27, 2024), streaming LIVE on ESPN+. UFC Vegas 91 features flyweights Matheus Nicolau vs. Alex Perez in the main event, with both men hoping to advance up the pecking order towards a title fight at 125 pounds. UFC Vegas 91’s co-main event sees Ryan Spann take on Bogdan Guskov in the the Light Heavyweight division, while Ariane Lipski vs. Karine Silva, Tim Means vs. Uros Medic and more are slated for main card action.
UFC VEGAS 91 START TIME AND DATE
MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Vegas 91 fight card below, starting with the ESPN+ “Prelims” undercard bouts at 4 p.m. ET, followed by the ESPN+ main card start time at 7 p.m. ET. Bet on all the UFC Vegas 91 action with our friends at DraftKings Sportsbook right here.
Keep in mind that we will also be the spot for the latest news, recaps, and post-fight analysis following “Matheus Nicolau vs. Alex Perez.” Without further delay, see below for the updated UFC Vegas 91 results. (Note: This will go from the bottom up; therefore, scroll toward the bottom for the latest detailed round-by-round action).
UFC VEGAS 91 QUICK RESULTS
Main card (7 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+)
125 lbs.: Matheus Nicolau vs. Alex Perez 205 lbs.: Ryan Spann vs. Bogdan Guskov 125 lbs.: Ariane Lipski vs. Karine Silva 265 lbs.: Austen Lane vs. Jhonata Diniz 145 lbs.: Jonathan Pearce vs. David Onama 170 lbs.: Tim Means vs. Uros Medic
Prelims (4 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+)
135 lbs.: Rani Yahya vs. Victor Henry 155 lbs.: Austin Hubbard vs. Michal Figlak 265 lbs.: Don’Tale Mayes vs. Caio Machado 125 lbs.: Marnic Mann vs. Ketlen Souza 155 lbs.: Chris Padilla vs. James Llontop 125 lbs.: Ivana Petrovic vs. Liang Na 155 lbs.: Gabriel Benítez vs. Maheshate Hayisaer
UFC VEGAS 91 PLAY-BY-PLAY
The UFC APEX hosts tonight’s event.
To check out the latest and greatest UFC Vegas 91: “Nicolau vs. Perez” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.
Fight fans have witnessed some pretty gnarly knockouts in women’s mixed martial arts (MMA) history, but Kendra McIntyre’s head kick finish at LFA 182 on Friday night (April 26, 2024) reached an entirely different level.
McIntyre. 28. isn’t known for his knockout ability as she’s captured unanimous decisions in two other professional wins. The flyweight prospect has shown off her striking skills along the way, but nothing that prepared fight fans for her performance on Friday night. It was simply incredible.
McIntyre was matched up against fellow prospect, Katarina Legorreta, who came into the fight with a 2-0 professional record. The two women fought hard over the first two rounds, but Legorreta would ultimately meet her demise in the third. That’s because McIntyre launched a devastating head kick that caught an exhausted Legorreta directly in the face. Legorreta instantly went out and violently crashed into the cage. The fight was immediately called off.
Check out the brutal finish in the above video player.
Women’s MMA has produced some memorable head kick knockout finishes — including Holly Holm over Ronda Rousey and Valentina Shevchenko over Jessica Eye — but where does this nasty stoppage by McIntyre rank among them?
Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Max Holloway is still riding high after his all-time great knockout win over Justin Gaethje (watch it) at UFC 300 a couple weeks ago. The “Blessed” Hawaiian scored a BMF title thanks to the victory, but he also lined himself up for another shot at Featherweight gold opposite current champion Ilia Topuria.
The fight itself will go down in history as a masterclass performance, as Holloway touched up Gaethje in every round prior to the buzzer-beater knockout. However, that’s not to say Gaethje didn’t also find his own success. “The Highlight” landed quite a few heavy low kicks that bruised up Holloway’s lead leg, and he certainly landed some clubbing hooks upstairs too.
One such right hand caught Holloway upside the the hide and briefly sent him to the floor. Holloway bounced back up and fought back immediately, but it appeared to be the first knockdown against him in an already legendary career! Officially, however, it wasn’t deemed a knockdown, as the UFC statisticians are UFCStats.com do not recognize the exchange as a knockdown.
Even Holloway knows that’s bulls—t, however, and he admitted as much on the “JRE MMA Show”
“It didn’t count as a drop, which is crazy,” Holloway said (via MMA Junkie). “ESPN is posting and saying like in however many fights I’m with the UFC, I still didn’t get dropped. That’s some bulls—t. Give Justin that one. Like, I’ll take it, you know what I mean? But I wouldn’t be a man sitting here and telling you that he didn’t.”
“Bro, I don’t even remember getting hit with that punch,” Holloway continued. “And then I sat, and I came back up. I was like, ‘What the – what did he just hit me with?’ You know what I mean? I was like, ‘Holy s—t!’ I was like, ‘That was a good punch.’
“Then when I rewatched it, he hit me like right on the top of my dome. I was like, ‘Holy smack, brother. This guy smacks.’ I was fine as soon as I got up, but it was one of those like, ‘Boom.’ The legs just give out. Like, I was still there, even when I was standing, I was looking at him. But I don’t know how that didn’t count as a drop. I don’t know what they count as a drop.”
It’s a bit reminiscent of when Colby Covington became the first man to take down Kamaru Usman in their second fight … only for UFC statisticians to say it wasn’t a takedown! MMA isn’t boxing or wrestling, so the standards for a knockdown and takedown can be different from the base sports, but where’s the line?
Apparently, not even a decorated champion like Holloway is certain.
Insomnia
Does Conor McGregor only post sparring clips of him beating up dudes who don’t seem at the level to spar him? Yes. Still, nobody else moves quite like “Notorious!”
In his 34 professional fights, Tim Elliott has faced a who’s who of Flyweight history. If he says he’s injured and can’t fight, we should believe him.
I’ve only ever pulled out of one scheduled fight in the ufc since 2012. I had a hematoma surgery on both nostrils, then the next day had all my packing and stitches and blood clot come out during a pad session. I had to have the surgery redone and pulled out. I want to fight!
— Tim Elliott (@TElliott125) April 26, 2024
Can Dominick Reyes return to the win column and get his career back on track?
Dominick Reyes will fight Dustin Jacoby at #UFCLouisville on June 8th. #UFC #MMA #UFCESPN #UFC2024 pic.twitter.com/9equ1QW3ug
— Marcel Dorff (@BigMarcel24) April 25, 2024
Nope, I didn’t know that! It makes the Mark Hunt rant copypasta even funnier.
Holy shit.
Did you know Mark Hunt is rated in the top 1.4 % of chess players worldwide.
Damn! pic.twitter.com/nMpy4juJMD
— Erik Magraken (@erikmagraken) April 26, 2024
Congratulations to Paddy Pimblett and his family!
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I always have time for a good footsweep.
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Classic bare knuckle shenanigans.
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Alexander Volkov “borrowed” a shopping cart for the bit — love it.
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Slips, rips, and KO clips
Jorge Masvidal was picking up top-notch wins all the way back in 2007.
Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal(10-2)(@GamebredFighter) vs “Thugjitsu Master” Yves Edwards(31-12-1)
Bodog Fight: Alvarez vs Lee
July 14th 2007
Requested by @b_arena0 pic.twitter.com/JbdcEze1iO
— Underrated MMA Performances (@MMAUnderrated) April 22, 2024
Speaking of athletes with great wins in across a 20-year career:
Sergei Kharitonov TKO1 Pedro Rizzo (Soccer Kick and Punches)
06.26.2005 | PRIDE Critical Countdown 2005 pic.twitter.com/VYALWUXjeB
— Forgotten Finishes (@FightsForgotten) April 24, 2024
Will you be tuning into RIZIN next week?
Next Monday Chihiro Suzuki will defend his Rizin belt against Masanori Kanehara. With a record of 12-3 his last two victories were against Vugar Karamov and Patricio Pitbull and is becoming one of the most interesting fighters in Rizin. pic.twitter.com/Gz8riC0zZg
— Haduucken (@Haduuuucken) April 24, 2024
Random Land
Apologies for neglecting RL last night. Anyway, check out CalicoCutPants.com!
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Midnight Music: Tonight, I checked out and enjoyed the recent folk-y, countryish album from Waxahatchee titled Tigers Blood.
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.
Mike Perry will make his return to the bareknuckle boxing ring tomorrow night (Sat., April 27, 2024) at BKFC “KnuckleMania 4” live on pay-per-view (PPV) from inside Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, Calif., as “Platinum” takes on fellow UFC veteran Thiago Alves in an exciting — and extremely violent — main event.
Luckily, the bareknuckle carnage won’t stop there. The BKFC heavyweight title will be up for grabs as well, as current champion Mike Terrell meets Lorenzo Hunt in co-main event action. Also, former UFC heavyweight contender Ben Rothwell takes on Todd Duffee in a heavyweight clash rescheduled from a broken matchup back in December.
On Friday, all fighters took to the stage for official weigh ins for “KnuckleMania 4.” You can check out the LIVE video stream HERE and some of the final faceoffs from the top fighters below:
Mike Perry vs. Thiago Alves
Who will make this fight the most violence? Your #KM4 main event is locked in.
Who you got, Mike Perry or Thiago Alves? pic.twitter.com/oXHSCCvRod
— TrillerTV (@FiteTV) April 27, 2024
Mike Terrell vs. Lorenzo Hunt
The Juggernaut aims to add more hardware to his collection, will Lorenzo Hunt become a triple champ or does the belt stay with the UK’s Mick Terrill?#KM4 pic.twitter.com/beGf5jTEkc
— TrillerTV (@FiteTV) April 27, 2024
Ben Rothwell vs. Todd Duffee
One of these big boys is going to sleep. Who are you picking in the feature fight tomorrow night, @rothwellfighter or Todd Duffee?#KM4 pic.twitter.com/QhoijTT2ZU
— TrillerTV (@FiteTV) April 27, 2024
For the complete BKFC: “KnuckleMania 4” fight card and DAZN PPV lineup click here.
Woop! Woop! That’s the sound of da police! Woop! Woop! That’s da sound of Ortiz!
Former UFC light heavyweight champion, Tito Ortiz, was recently sworn in as honorary sheriff for Lee County in Southwest Florida. Hopefully this ends better than his disastrous run as mayor pro tempore in Huntington Beach.
“Feeling incredibly honored!” Ortiz wrote on social media. “Yesterday, I was sworn in as an honorary sheriff for Lee County by the amazing Sheriff Carmine Marceno. I’m beyond grateful for this privilege and so proud to serve in my new home of Cape Coral. Here’s to new beginnings and making a positive impact in our community!”
“I am deeply humbled by this privilege and have immense respect for our brave men and women in blue, not just in Cape Coral, but across the entire United States,” Ortiz continued. “Their dedication and commitment inspire me every day. Proud to be a part of this community and to support our law enforcement heroes!”
Not bad for a “blue-collared man” who “lost everything” in 2020.
The biggest bareknuckle event of the year is finally here!
More than four years after signing with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) — and nearly two years after first teasing a Mike Perry fight — former UFC welterweight title challenger Thiago Alves will finally return to headline the BKFC “KnuckleMania 4” pay-per-view (PPV) bareknuckle boxing event against the “Platinum” power puncher. The action gets underway tomorrow night (Sat., April 27, 2024) inside Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California.
This marks the BKFC debut in “The Golden State” after scoring legislation back in late 2023.
“I want to thank Andy Foster and the California state athletic commission,” BKFC President David Feldman said at the “KnuckleMania 4” press conference (watch it here). “I want to thank him for welcoming us with open arms to California. BKFC is close to being legislated everywhere. There’s really no reason for anyone to say no to this sport anymore. We didn’t just create a promotion or a sport; we created a phenomenon. When we started this thing, the media wasn’t writing about us. When we sell the kind of tickets we sell, and the kind of views we do, they can’t say no to us anymore.”
They can, however, say no to Darren Till.
Former UFC heavyweights Ben Rothwell and Todd Duffee will also hook ‘em up on the “KnuckleMania 4” fight card (see the full lineup here). This marks the second time BKFC has tried to make this fight happen after “Big Ben” bailed on the bout last December. Reports of turkey tampering were later proven to be a Duffee smear campaign (or maybe he was still “bitter” about flunk-out fighting). In addition, Lorenzo Hunt and Mick Terrill collide for the BKFC Heavyweight Championship in the “KnuckleMania 4” co-main event. The entire card can be streamed for $ 29.99 on YouTube.
Let’s take a closer look at all three fights.
185 lbs.: “Platinum” Mike Perry (4-0) vs. Thiago “Pitbull” Alves (2-0)
Mike Perry had a losing record in UFC and dropped four of his last five MMA fights before parting ways with the promotion. His career inside the Octagon didn’t get off to a great start and “Platinum” couldn’t seem to keep himself out of trouble, which had a lot of people (myself included) writing him off. I thought he might go to Bellator or PFL and eventually fade away but instead, Perry found his calling in BKFC. Whatever you think about him as a person, there is no denying Perry is the biggest bareknuckle star in the sport and has the record to prove it, racking up a perfect 4-0 with two stoppages against former UFC champions and one victory over former Bellator MMA striking specialist Michael “Venom” Page. “Platinum” only seems to be getting better (and more violent) in each successive fight.
“I’m honored to be on top of the card of these crazy fights,” Perry said at the “KnuckleMania 4” press conference (watch it here). “All these fights are insane. I’m going to be watching these fights in the back and I’ll be excited to perform myself. I’ve gotta steal the show. These guys are trying to steal the show from me, so I’ve gotta take it up a notch at the end of the night.”
“If it ain’t broke, don’t try to fix it. I’ve been on the same path all this time since I got here, and that’s putting my knuckles up against people’s faces,” Perry continued. “They call, they offer me a name, I say yes to it, and we prepare. I think I’ve had a tough selection of fights in bareknuckle, which is why I can have that designation as the face of bareknuckle, and that’s why I’m on top of the card.”
“I’ve been saying it for years: the next one is the best one, and this is the best one,” Perry said. “I’ve been climbing, every fight has been better than the last and it’s always been against a tougher opponent. Alves was a BKFC champion, but I don’t think he’s ever beat a UFC champion, and I did. I think he’s bringing it, and I can’t wait to meet him in the middle on Saturday.”
Thiago Alves, who turns 41 this fall, departed UFC back in late 2019 after dropping four of five and looking rather listless in the process. In the nearly five years that he’s been gone, Alves has only managed to compete twice for BKFC, scoring the promotion’s inaugural middleweight title with a stoppage over Ulysses Diaz at BKFC 18 in June 2021. If you combine his age with his inactivity, it’s kind of hard to make a case for his victory tomorrow night in “The City of Angels.” I think we also have to abandon this idea that Alves is some sort of striking savant because if you look at his UFC record, “Pitbull” has just one knockout since planishing Matt Hughes in early 2008, a span of 16 years and 17 fights.
“I prepared my mind, my body,” Alves said at the “KnuckleMania 4” press conference (watch it here). “I’m ready to go. You’ll see it. It was the Mike Perry name and the money that brought me back.”
I hope the contract was a good one, because Perry is younger, fresher, and not fighting for the money. He’s fighting because that’s who he is and this is what he does. He likes pain almost as much as he likes inflicting it. Old man Alves just wants a paycheck. Consider this a mismatch.
Prediction: Perry def. Alves by technical knockout
265 lbs.: Mick Terrill (7-1) vs. Lorenzo “The Juggernaut” Hunt (11-1) for BKFC Heavyweight Championship
Lorenzo Hunt was not a very good MMA fighter, starting his cage-fighting career in late 2015 and putting together a dreadful 3-5 record before migrating to the fertile landscape of bareknuckle boxing. In BKFC, “The Juggernaut” — much like Perry — found his calling, compiling an impressive 11-1 record with nine knockouts. He also captured world titles in two different weight classes, outpointing Hector Lombard at BKFC 22 to win the inaugural light heavyweight strap before stopping Quentin Henry to score the vacant cruiserweight championship at BKFC 30.
Hunt believes those accomplishments make him the greatest bareknuckle fighter in history.
“I’m the best that’s ever done it,” Hunt said at the “KnuckleMania 4” press conference (watch it here). “I’m already the GOAT. I’m not sure if you pay attention to the numbers, but I’ve got more fights and more wins than everybody else up here combined. There’s no (expletive) way that I should be up here on the ‘B’ side. I’ve bled for this; teeth, blood, bones. I am the show. I’m not the face of bareknuckle, as they keep telling me; I’m the knuckles of bare knuckle.”
“After I become the three-division world champion, I will allow the other divisions to crown new champions. For now, I’ll let them breathe,” Hunt continued. “When I came to this organization, I came through the tryouts. I knew for a fact how I would be and how it would go. I told everybody, but they didn’t believe me. After I become the triple world champ, I’ll grab the mic and I’ll say, ‘Do you (expletive) believe me now?’”
Mick Terrill did not flounder in MMA like many of his BKFC brothers but did have a successful run as a kickboxer for SuperKombat. In addition, the British brawler has a Muay Thai background and used his striking skills to rack up a 7-1 record for David Feldman and Co. with eight knockouts, including his title-winning destruction of Arnold Adams at BKFC 56 late last year. He’s only a year younger than the 41 year-old Hunt, but unlike “The Juggernaut,” Terrill is a true heavyweight and certainly hits like one, which I expect to be the difference maker on fight night.
“I think the thing with Lorenzo is; I think he’s well suited back at school,” Terrill said at the “KnuckleMania 4” press conference (watch it here). “He’s got the mentality of a 10 year-old. I think he’d be more suited there.”
Unless Terrill fights sloppy and gets caught, expect him to end this somewhere in the second half of the fight.
Prediction: Terrill def. Hunt by knockout
265 lbs.: “Big” Ben Rothwell (2-0) vs. Todd Duffee (0-0)
I’m kind of fascinated by Todd Duffee, who is somehow still a “name” despite the fact that he hasn’t won a fight in 10 years. Once heralded as the future of the heavyweight division, thanks to a record-setting knockout at UFC 102 back in late 2009, Duffee would get mixed up in the TRT drama, piss off UFC CEO Dana White, then get cut from UFC after a knockout loss to the unheralded Mike Russow in May 2010. Duffee would eventually return after a protracted battle with injuries but once again, failed to make an impact in the 265-pound division. His last trip to the cage ended in a technical knockout loss to Phil De Fries at KSW 79 in early 2023, his only fight over the last five years.
“I’m going to go out and make history on Saturday night,” Duffee said at the “KnuckleMania 4” press conference (watch it here).
I have no idea what that means because win or lose, it’s just a bareknuckle fight on the PPV main card. I’m not sure what the historical component is or what he plans to do that would etch his name into the annals of combat sports history. Maybe he’ll drive up to the ring in a beer truck like “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and give his opponent a sudsy shower?
Like most UFC veterans who later link up with BKFC, Ben Rothwell struggled to stay consistent inside the Octagon, getting smoked by Marcos Rogerio de Lima at UFC Vegas 42 before getting abruptly released in early 2022. “Big Ben” was not a perfect fighter by any means, earning a two-year drug suspension in early 2017, but for the purposes of this contest it’s worth noting that Rothwell has 28 knockouts in 39 MMA fights. More importantly, the 42 year-old bruiser already has two wins in the bareknuckle arena, smashing Bobo O’Bannon at BKFC 30 before wrecking Josh Copeland at BKFC 41. Duffee has no victories and no experience as a bareknuckle fighter, is coming off an extended layoff, and hasn’t seen the win column in nearly a decade. This seems like a pretty easy pick.
“I love this company,” Rothwell said at the “KnuckleMania 4” press conference (watch it here). “David Feldman and the BKFC staff are trail blazers. They’re making history. Each one of these events are historic, and I want to be a part of it. I’m out here to perform and set my place in BKFC history.”
I guess these guys were instructed to keep repeating “history!” during last night’s presser.
Prediction: Rothwell def. Duffee by knockout
For much more on this weekend’s “KnuckleMania 4” card click here.
Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
It’s only been a few days since Devin Haney’s shocking upset loss to Ryan Garcia (watch here), which saw “King” drop Haney multiple times en route to a decision victory. In the immediate aftermath, Haney’s team issued a brief statement that he “fought like a champion” and did not suffer a rumored broken jaw.
Given a few days to process, however, Haney has taken to social media to request a rematch. According to Haney, Garcia’s substantial weight miss was a factor in his loss, and he still wants a fair fight.
“First off I wanna say … Alhamdulillah Allah is the perfect planner and I trust his plan no matter what,” Haney wrote. “I came up short but this boxing, and if anyone knows me they know that I am a true competitor, and always wanted to test my skills against the best fighters in the world.
“Ryan, despite the circumstances was victorious that night and that’s fine. I do feel like weight played a role in it but only Allah knows. I would love to run it back and give the fans a FAIR fight within an agreed weight.”
Famously, Haney and Garcia fought as amateurs six times, evenly splitting their contests. Given their history, massive payouts, and a legitimate gripe regarding the weight miss, Haney theoretically has a solid chance at scoring another professional bout versus Garcia. However, Garcia is interested in moving up in weight class, which could be an issue, and his promoter Oscar De La Hoya outright shut down his request in the comments.
“Good luck with Eddie but there will not be a rematch,” De La Hoya wrote. “Good luck in your career and good luck with Eddie a European promoter trying to make it in the US.”
Insomnia
This crusty 2013 clip has me fully convinced Sean O’Malley is the man to beat Garcia. Zero doubt! Book it!
UFC champion Sean O’Malley flooring his opponent in a boxing match in 2013 pic.twitter.com/eQ6KnWZJE9
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) April 25, 2024
Inject Jiri Prochazka vs. Dricus Du Plessis into my veins. Just two dudes determined to prove they hit the hardest and have the sturdiest chin!
Dricus du Plessis says that Jiri Prochazka “walks around lighter” than he does, and mentioned that he should move down to middleweight:
“I think Prochazka needs to go down to [middleweight]. I saw Prochazka’s weight in the PI and I think he’s too small for [light heavyweight].… pic.twitter.com/jxvsjwuDgm
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 24, 2024
Featherweight action fighters Nathaniel Wood and Daniel Pineda will take some lumps out of each other in July.
Nathaniel Wood will fight Daniel Pineda at #UFC304 on July 27th. (first rep. @phre) #UFC #MMA #UFCESPN #UFC2024 pic.twitter.com/8D8rh9c5gS
— Marcel Dorff (@BigMarcel24) April 24, 2024
We need to give “Rampage” and Paulo Costa an ethnicity quiz on various popular fighters, this is comedy.
Both Paulo Costa and Rampage Jackson thought that Merab Dvalishvili is Mexican
Jaxxon podcast pic.twitter.com/L0Uvzflrc4
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) April 25, 2024
You never know where Mike Perry trash talk will end up.
“You got a pig nose, you look like Miss Piggy”#KnucklemaniaIV pic.twitter.com/vnea9n9qgw
— MMA Mania (@mmamania) April 25, 2024
Some online jawing from Petr Yan and Marlon Vera:
Keep lying to yourself that someone can refuse to fight a walking punching bag #easymoney https://t.co/jKJNMgRwKD
— Petr “No Mercy” Yan (@PetrYanUFC) April 25, 2024
A slick little setup from Slava Borshchev:
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Slips, rips, and KO clips
A name to look out for on the next Contenders Series season?
Kody Steele just might get a very, VERY important call#FuryFC89 pic.twitter.com/Vpfju0B4m8
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) April 21, 2024
This spinning backfist landed with quite a thunk.
“Sir Gregor” Balkian with the highlight of the night at #UNF18! ️ pic.twitter.com/zx3oHZ6DUc
— Up Next Fighting (@UpNextFighting) April 21, 2024
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