Former BKFC welterweight champion Julian Lane discussed his controversial disqualification at Thursday’s BKFC Fight Night Hollywood event at the post fight press conference.
Lane was disqualified in the fourth round of his main event battle with Bryce Henry after double legging the unbeaten prospect. Takedowns, throws, elbows and kicking are not allowed under BKFC rules.
Prior to the disqualification, Lane seemed to be getting into the fight. After getting cut and falling behind early, Lane had a better round three, connecting with strikes in the clinch and landing shots from the southpaw stance against the taller Henry.
Then, the unthinkable happened. Lane took Henry down after getting caught with a right hand.
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A journalist asked Lane why he decided to shoot for the double leg takedown.
“In my opinion, it wasn’t a double leg,” Lane replied.
“I dropped down to grab him. He hit me and the cut busted open, so the blood started pouring in my eyes, I couldn’t see,” he said.
“But his momentum coming into me. And my momentum coming into him. That’s just how it ended up,” said Lane.
“Absolutely. I’m always down for a rematch. I was just getting comfortable,” the former champ said, when asked about a second fight with Henry.
Julian Lane Not Ready to Retire
The 38-year-old Lane, a onetime The Ultimate Fighter cast member with over 20 professional MMA bouts and 9-11 in a bare knuckle career that began in 2017, was asked how many more fights he had left in him.
“Honestly man, this is what I do,” said Lane.
“I got five daughters. I got family man, and this is my job. So, I feel like I’m still young and I feel good. We’ll keep going,” he said.
“I would have fought til my face fell off. I worked hard for this.”
The press conference audience clapped in response to Lane’s heartfelt answers.
Then, Lane became emotional.
“I’m blessed to be able to do this, know what I mean?,” he said.
“Blessed to be able to do this. Live my dreams. It’s to support my family and live another day, fight another day.”
“I know I’m gonna keep growing from this. Whether it’s in this sport or whether it’s just as a person,” Lane continued.
“I just wanna show everybody out there. I paved my way from the beginning. I never quit. Whatever you want to be in life, you gotta believe in yourself and believe in the most high.”
“Fighting for Good Dads”
Lane said he continues fighting for the “good dads out there”, those navigating legal battles related to custody and visitation in an American family law system often stacked against men.
“We gotta fight for our rights to be in our kids’ lives. And I’m going through that personally,” he said, his voice cracking.
“I haven’t seen my six-year-old (daughter) since Thanksgiving. And I got court on June 10.”
“And I know everything’s gonna work out. I’m gonna see my girl. And I’m gonna be a better dad to all my kids.”
“I’m gonna be a better fiancee. I’m gonna be a better son. I’m gonna be a better person, man. And that’s all I wanna do from here.”
Press conference attendees clapped in appreciation at the fighter’s candid comments. Despite the disqualification, Lane remains ones of the sport’s most recognisable and likeable fighters-a throwback who always gives 100 percent in the ring and doesn’t pull any punches outside the ring either.
