Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship returns to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey this Saturday October 17. An intriguing champion vs champion showdown headlines the bill.
BKFC Bantamweight Champion Jamel Herring defends his title for the first time against flyweight titleholder John Dodson.
The 40-year-old Herring, a former WBO super lightweight titlist, outpointed Michael Larrimore to win BKFC bantamweight gold in May. Herring’s bare knuckle record improved to 2-0 with the win. The former U.S. Marine is one of the best pure boxers on BKFC’s roster, but he’s facing a extremely talented UFC veteran in Dodson.
Dodson, 42, got off to a blazing start after taking off the gloves, winning his first three bouts by first-round knockout. His win over JR Ridge earned him the BKFC flyweight belt.
Things didn’t go as well for Dodson in his first defence. Dagoberto Aguero knocked Dodson down twice and nearly upset the champion, earning a unanimous draw in Dodson’s hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Dodson returned with a unanimous decision over Takaki Soya in Japan in July 2024. That’s the last time the former UFC title challenger competed in bare knuckle. He’s had one MMA fight since.
Why Dodson is still champion when he hasn’t defended the belt in over two years is anyone’s guess. There are no independent sanctioning bodies in bare knuckle boxing, meaning promotions can make their own rules and rankings for championships.
Regardless, it’s an intriguing bout. Herring’s pure boxing skills against Dodson’s fighting skills and ring savvy.
Rivera, Curatolo in Co-Main, Featured Fight
Local hero, UFC veteran and former BKFC title challenger Jimmie Rivera (3-2-1) returns to the Squared Circle in the co-main event. The Elmwood Park, New Jersey police officer hasn’t fought since stopping Timmy Mason at last year’s BKFC Newark event. Rivera takes on veteran Brandon Meyer (3-4). Meyer will look to snap a two-fight losing streak.
The BKFC 95 Featured Fight matches debuting Santo Curatolo against Anthony Yost (2-2). Both men are MMA veterans, and Curato like Rivera hails from New Jersey.
Yost lost his first two bare knuckle bouts but rebounded with two straight wins. He’ll look for his third win in a row and first knockout against local lad Curatolo.
BKFC 95: Other Bouts
In other BKFC 95 action, former title challenger Tony Soto (6-4) meets Anthony Pike (1-1). Soto briefly retired after a loss to JC Deleon in June but reconsidered and returns versus Pike. Pike scored a first-round stoppage over Travis Smith in June.
Middleweights Noah Getahoun and Dustin Bailey collide in their BKFC debuts. Nicholas Saragosa (1-0) meets newcomer Dylan Pitt.
Three preliminary bouts open the hostilities. Female strawweight Gabrielle Roman (2-3-1, 2 KOs) takes on Brooke Evans (1-0) in the opening bout, followed by a bantamweight matchup between Phil Caracappa (1-1) and rookie Cole Cameron.
UFC veteran Robert Emerson, who appeared alongside Nate Diaz in The Ultimate Fighter’s fifth season, knuckles up for the first time. The 45-year-old Orange County native meets Mike Medrano, a fellow MMA veteran who fights out of New Jersey.
BKFC 95: Start Time & How to Watch
Saturday night’s fistivities begin with the prelims at 8pm local New Jersey time, which is 1am Sunday in the UK. The main card starts an hour later.
Fans can catch the action on the BKFC + App and Triller TV (paid subscriptions required). Fight card subject to change.
