Anthony Garrett showed he’s a fighter to watch in BKFC’s heavyweight division.
The Kansas fighter, nicknamed “Warrior of Christ”, scored a spectacular KO over UFC vet Lavar Johnson Saturday night. The bout headlined BKFC Fight Night Los Angeles.
Johnson came at Garrett from the opening bell, walking into a huge right that dropped him. Referee Dan Miragliotta started counting, with the fight waved off just 12 seconds into round one.
ON 3 DAYS NOTICE Anthony Garrett puts Johnson DOWN in 12 seconds! #BKFCLA | Presented by @BuckedUp pic.twitter.com/PJPfdTfsiX
— Bare Knuckle FC (@bareknucklefc) November 24, 2024
Garrett improved his BKFC record to 2-0 with the victory. Both wins are by first-round knockout and in less than 30 seconds. In his August debut, Garrett stopped John Orr in 16 seconds at BKFC Fight Night Kansas City.
“Heavyweight division, you’re on notice. Anthony Garrett is in the house. Let’s go,” Garrett yelled during his postfight interview.
Johnson, a heavyweight titlist in the Valor BK organisation, suffered his first loss in three bare knuckle fights.
Bovar Khanakov OutBoxes Ruben Warr
The lightweight co-main event matched unbeaten Ruben Warr with Ukrainian veteran Bovar Khanakov.
Khanakov rose to the occasion, outboxing Warr to win a unanimous decision.
Khanakov took control in round one, using his jab well both offensively and defensively. Warr’s right eye showed the effects with swelling underneath and a cut.
Khanakov stunned Warr with a left hook later in the round. But Warr stunned Khanakov when he followed up.
The Ukrainian continued to control the fight with his jab, landing the punch and moving out of range. As the fight went on, it seemed like Warr ran out of ideas and just looked to land a big shot.
Neither fighter was knocked down. Both were cut by bout’s end. Two judges scored the bout 50-45 for Khanakov, with the third judge scoring it 49-46.
Khanakov improves to 5-3 in bare knuckle (2-2 BKFC). Warr is now 2-1 in BKFC with one no-contest.
BKFC Fight Night Los Angeles: Full Results
Cody Vidal def. Kevin Sims-TKO Round 2
Steven Sainsbury def. Paulo Games-TKO Round 3
Mike Hansen def. Dominick Carey-TKO Round 1
Michael Manno def. Vincent Familari-TKO Round 4
Ryan Petersen def. Dan Godoy-TKO Round 2
Danasabe Mohammed def. Rodney Thomas-KO Round 2
Chase Gormley def. Tyler Sijohn-KO Round 2
Brandon Conley def. Keith Richardson-TKO Round 2
Bovar Khanakov def. Ruben Warr-Unanimous Decision
Anthony Garrett def. Lavar Johnson-KO Round 1
