Jorge Masvidal may be a polarizing figure in the mixed martial arts (MMA) community, having sparked feuds with the likes of Nate Diaz, Chael Sonnen, Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington, among others, just to name some of his adversaries/enemies. However it’s hard to deny that the promotion he owns (and that bares his nickname) has done a consistently admirable job showcasing some of the biggest names from this world who are outside the confines of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Tonight (Sat., March 2, 2024), starting at 8 p.m. ET live from the Kia Center in Orlando, Fla., the seventh edition of Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA takes place … and the story is no different.

Former UFC Heavyweight champion, Junior dos Santos, and former UFC Middleweight contender, Alan Belcher, will duke it out for the promotion’s inaugural Heavyweight belt. For “JDS,” this has been a slow burn comeback since his fall from grace in UFC. To recap his journey, he took 1.5 years off after his last UFC loss at the hands of Cyril Gane in Dec. 2020. Few could argue with that break, as it was his third technical knockout loss that year. Finally, in 2022, he came back, only to suffer a shoulder injury to Yorgan de Castro and lose in his return (watch highlights). He finally got back into the win column in a rematch against the man who shot him to stardom, Fabricio Werdum.

Meanwhile, his opponent, Belcher, has had a truly remarkable combat sports run since he left UFC after suffering from eye problems during his match with Michael Bisping all the way back in 2013. Seven long years later, Belcher would finally start striking again, taking up boxing in both gloves and of the bareknuckle variety. He has gone a combined 11-0 in the past three years across the two boxing styles and one MMA match against Roy Nelson back in Nov. 2023.

An astonishing second-life track record of success that is rare in Heavyweight combat sports, regardless of the discipline.

In other bouts, we’ve got former UFC fighters galore, including the co-main between Alex Nicholson vs. Chase Sherman. We’ve got MMA OG’s in Charles “Krazy Horse” Bennett, Anthony Njokuani and more!

The event will air live on KICK streaming beginning at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.

Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 7 Quick Results:

265 lbs.: Junior dos Santos vs. Alan Belcher
265 lbs.: Alex Nicholson vs. Chase Sherman
145 lbs.: Joe Penafiel def. Charles “Krazy Horse” Bennett — TKO, 3:49, Rd. 3
170 lbs.: Jesse Ronson vs. Anthony Njokuani
155 lbs.: Mandel Nallo vs. TJ Brown
170 lbs.: Brandon Jenkins def. Tyler Hill — TKO, 2:12, Rd. 3
265 lbs.: Maurice Greene vs. Guto Inocente
145 lbs.: Anvar Boynazarov def. Marlon Gonzales — KO, 0:13, Rd. 1

Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 7 Full Play-By-Play and Results:

Junior dos Santos vs. Alan Belcher for the Inaugural BKMMA Heavyweight belt:

Round 1:

Round 2:

Round 3:

Final result:

Alex Nicholson vs. Chase Sherman

Round 1:

Round 2:

Round 3:

Final result:

Jesse Ronson vs. Anthony Njokuani

Round 1:

Round 2:

Round 3:

Final result:

Anvar Boynazarov vs. Marlon Gonzales

Round 1: Left-right by Gonzales and Boynazarov responds with an ENORMOUS flying knee that sits Marlon down. Anvar is raining down punches and the ref can stop this any time now… there it is.

Final result: Anvar Boynazarov defeats Marlon Gonzales via flying knee and punches

Charles “Krazy Horse” Bennett vs. Joe Penafiel

Round 1: Technical difficulties made me miss all of the first round. Thanks, Xfinity.

Round 2: Bennett circling away from Penafiel. Joe pops him with a hook and that puts Charles on his butt. He’s bloodied. Penafiel trying for some ground and pound, switches to a front choke at the end of the round, but Bennett saves to the bell.

10-9 Penafiel

Round 3: They trade right hands. Bennett goes for a takedown, gets stuffed on and winds up on bottom. Half guard for Penafiel. He’s advancing and Charles gives up the back to get away. Charles is scrambling well, but Penafiel maintains his balance on top. Bennett regains half guard. He’s getting beaten on now. It looks like Penafiel got a handful of hair for a second, but the ref doesn’t do anything and “Felony” continues to eat punishment. A little over a minute to go and the ref is looking close… he steps in and it’s over.

Final result: Joe Penafiel defeats Charles Bennett via ground & pound

For the latest bareknuckle-related news and notes click here.

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