Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship continues its busy Spring schedule with BKFC 87 this Friday night.
The Philadelphia-based promotion is back in its second home-The Hard Rock Hotel in Hollywood, Florida. The action begins at 6pm local time (11pm UK), and streams live on DAZN, Triller TV, the BKFC+ App, and Fubo Sports.
As previously mentioned, BKFC Featherweight Champion Kai Stewart defends his crown against unbeaten challenger Nico Gaffie in the main event. It will be King Kai’s first fight since his win over Tommy Strydom last April. Gaffie proved himself a solid contender with a TKO win over Brandon Allen last year.
Perdomo, Coulter Collide With Careers on Different Paths
Miami-based Cuban Leonardo Perdomo (10-0, 10 KOs) has worked his way into top contender status in the heavyweight division. To get a shot at new heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski, Perdomo will have to get past Orlando Coulter on Friday.
Coulter competed for the UFC in 2017-2018. The 44-year-old has focused on boxing in recent years, rather than MMA. He’s 2-1 in bare knuckle. Coulter was stopped by then-champion DJ Linderman in a BYB heavyweight title bout in 2023.
This is likely Coulter’s last big opportunity. If he’s somehow able to upset Perdomo, the win would breathe new life into a waning career. But given Perdomo’s ferocity and explosiveness, the Texan will have a tall task ahead of him in the Squared Circle Friday.
Duran Faces Streaking Perez
Former title challenger Bryan Duran (7-1-1) meets tough veteran Derek Perez in the BKFC 87 Featured Fight in the bantamweight division (135 lb weight limit).
Duran unsuccessfully challenged Stewart for the belt in 2024. He lost by unanimous decision in an entertaining battle. The Cuba-born fan favourite will look to get back in the win column after a draw with Robbie Peralta in his last bout.
Perez looks for his third win in a row after wins against Rick Caruso and Micah Livingston. Three of his losses have come to former champions or top contenders: Keith Richardson, Ryan Reber, and Justin Ibarrola.
BKFC 87:Sanchez, Smith Run it Back
Former title challenger Donald Sanchez faces veteran Jeremy Smith in a rematch.
South Africa’s Smith defeated Sanchez by decision in the latter’s BKFC debut in 2022.
How much did Smith’s 2023 war with Houston Alexander take out of the fighter? Alexander won a close decision over Smith in a bruising battle. Smith hasn’t won since.
He was stopped by rising cruiserweight Stephen “Tomahawk” Townsel then blasted out in a round by David Simpson. A loss to Sanzhez would be his fourth in a row.
Sanchez makes his ring return after a one-sided decision loss to BKFC middleweight king David Mundell last June. Sanchez tasted the canvas three times against “The Redneck” but lasted until the final bell. He gets the chance to avenge his first loss and start working his way back into title contention Friday.
Full fight card (subject to change) below.
Prelims (11pm Friday UK Time, 6pm EST)
-Bantamweight: Ernesto Suarez vs Victor Flor
-Heavyweight: Chino Blume vs Alex Davis
-Flyweight: Chris Garcia vs Chancey Wilson
BKFC 87 Main Card (12am Saturday UK, 7pm Friday EST)
-Flyweight: Jancarlos Rivera vs Mike Hansen
-Bantamweight: AJ Rodriguez vs Robert Armas
-Light Heavyweight: Sabah Homasi vs Leonel Carrera
-Light Heavyweight: Jeremy Smith vs Donald Sanchez
-Women’s Strawweight: Rosalinda Rodriguez vs Shelby Cannon
Featured Fight
-Bantamweight: Bryan Duran vs Derek Perez
Co-Main Event
-Heavyweight: Leonardo Perdomo vs Orlando Coulter
Main Event
-Featherweight: Kai Stewart vs Nico Gaffie-For the BKFC Featherweight World Title
