The Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) is set to make its return this weekend with BKFC 41, featuring a star-studded lineup headlined by UFC veterans Mike Perry and Luke Rockhold. The event will take place at the 1STBANK Center in Denver, Colorado, on Saturday, April 30th.
In the main event, Mike Perry will step into the bare-knuckle ring for the first time, taking on former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold in a highly anticipated matchup. Perry, known for his aggressive fighting style, will be making his BKFC debut after a string of losses in the UFC. Meanwhile, Rockhold will be looking to make a statement in his first bare-knuckle fight, after a hiatus from fighting since 2019.
The co-main event will see another pair of UFC veterans, Eddie Alvarez and Chad Mendes, go head-to-head in a lightweight clash. Both fighters will also be making their BKFC debuts, with Alvarez coming off a loss in ONE Championship and Mendes returning to competition after a two-year break.
The event has generated a lot of buzz in the combat sports world, with many fans and experts looking forward to seeing how these MMA veterans fare in the bare-knuckle arena. BKFC president David Feldman expressed his excitement about the event, saying, “We’re thrilled to bring BKFC to Denver and showcase some of the best fighters in the world. This card is stacked from top to bottom, and we expect nothing less than pure excitement and entertainment.”
The pre-event press conference, held on Thursday, provided a preview of what fans can expect from the fighters in and out of the ring. Perry and Rockhold engaged in a heated exchange, with Perry promising to “knock [Rockhold] out in the first round.” Rockhold, who has a height and reach advantage over Perry, responded by saying, “I’m going to break this man’s jaw.”
Alvarez and Mendes, on the other hand, kept things cordial but still managed to generate excitement with their comments. Alvarez, a former UFC and Bellator champion, expressed his respect for Mendes, saying, “He’s a tough fighter, and I know this is going to be a great fight.” Mendes, who is known for his wrestling skills, stated his intention to keep the fight standing, saying, “I’m going to knock him out.”
BKFC 41 is the first of two back-to-back events for the promotion, with BKFC 42 scheduled to take place in June. The events are part of BKFC’s expansion plans, as the promotion looks to establish itself as a major player in the combat sports world. With a growing fan base and increased attention from media outlets, BKFC is well on its way to achieving its goals.
For fans who can’t make it to the event in person, the main card will be available to stream on FITE TV for $49.99. The card also features a number of exciting matchups, including a lightweight bout between Johnny Bedford and Reggie Barnett Jr., and a featherweight fight between Sheena Starr and Ivana Coleman.
