After a controversial decision loss to Alessio Sakara at BKFC Rome that cost him the title, former BKFC Cruiserweight champion Chris Camozzi returns to action in his hometown of Denver.
It’s Camozzi’s first fight before the local fans since his spectacular title winning effort against Sawyer Depee in October 2024.
Camozzi (4-2, 3 KOs) is looking to once again wear championship gold. Standing in his way is a major roadblock in the form of Esteban “Mohawk” Rodriguez.
The rugged Rodriguez (5-1, 5 KOs) is as tough as they come. His only defeat came to highly rated light heavyweight John Michael Escoboza by close decision in August 2023.
Since the Escoboza loss, Rodriguez has rampaged through the competition, defeating three previously unbeaten opponents by early round stoppage. In his last outing, “Mohawk” thrilled the home state Michigan crowd with an electrifying knockout of Zach Cavender.
Camozzi represents another opportunity for Mohawk to prove he’s an elite fighter and not a power puncher with a funky haircut.
He’s also Camozzi’s most dangerous opponent since the UFC veteran lost a split decision to Lorenzo Hunt in September 2023. Credit both men for taking the risk of facing the other with the interim title at stake.
The winner could earn a showdown with Hunt, probably the best bare knuckle fighter in the world pound-for-pound. Hunt, currently the light heavyweight champion, could challenge the winner to become a two division champion again.
Figueroa Faces Former Champion Brito
Another Denver fighter is featured in the co-main event. Rising lightweight contender Ramiro Figueroa (4-1, 3 KOs) faces former welterweight champion Elvin Brito (7-6, 3 KOs).
Figueroa’s only loss was a decision to contender James Brown in this third fight. He’s won two in a row since, including a TKO by cuts against fellow contender Howard “HD” Davis.
Brito snapped a two-fight losing streak in his last bout. The Puerto Rican stopped Brandon Meyer in four rounds at BKFC Sturgis last August. Before the Meyer win, Brito lost back-to-back decisions to Jake Lindsey and Evgenii Kurdanov.
It’s the classic matchup of young contender against veteran former champion. A Figueroa win proves he’s for real, while the 40-year-old Brito gets a chance to prove his best days aren’t behind him.
A heavyweight match up pits another Colorado local Josh “Fuzzy Bear” Copeland (2-2, 2 KOs) against Corey “Whatchu Talkin’ About” Willis (2-1, 2 KOs).
Copeland’s two losses have come to current heavyweight champ Andrei Arlovski and former titlist “Big” Ben Rothwell.
Willis is the first man to extend Cuban knockout artist Leonardo Perdomo past the first round. Willis was stopped by Perdomo in three rounds last December in Florida.
Full fight card (subject to change) below.
BKFC 88 Fight Card
-Lightweight: Matt Maestas (1-3) vs Ruben Arroyo (0-3)
-Flyweight: Angelo Trujillo (1-2) vs Anthony Yost (1-2)
-Cruiserweight: Erick Lozano (3-5) vs Deron Winn (debut)
-Bantamweight: Nicholas Burgos (0-2) vs Noah Aldana (debut)
-Flyweight: Octavin Turner (1-0) vs Jody Steffensmeier (debut)
-Welterweight: Andrew Yates (3-1) vs Rodney Hinton (1-0)
-Cruiserweight: Josh Fremd (debut) vs Jared Torgeson (0-1)
-Heavyweight: Josh Copeland (2-2) vs Corey Willis (2-1)
-Lightweight: Ramiro Figueroa (4-1) vs Elvin Brito (7-6)
Main Event-Title Fight
-Cruiserweight: Chris Camozzi (4-2) vs Esteban “Mohawk” Rodriguez (5-1)
Fighter records courtesy of Boxrec.
How to Watch BKFC 88
BKFC 88 will stream live on the BKFC + App starting at 7pm local Denver time Friday evening (1am Saturday in the UK). The event starts with the prelims, followed by the main card.
It’s the first of two events in two days for the promotion. On Saturday, BKFC debuts in Australia. Check back with Bare Knuckle Heroes for more BKFC news, results, and fight cards.
