Yannick Van Dinther steps in on late notice to face former title challenger James Lilley at tonight’s BKFC Fight Night Newcastle event.
The Dutchman has a controversial past.
Leading Dutch combat sports website VechtsportInfo NL reports Van Dinther faced legal action for promoting unsanctioned events in the Netherlands, where bare knuckle boxing is banned.
According to the article, Van Dinther organised fights for the “Hoodfights” promotion “without a sanctioning federation” and received substantial fines. His life and the Hoodfights league were the subject of a docuseries.
As for his in-ring background, Tapology lists his amateur MMA record as 1-3 and his pro bare knuckle record as 0-1. Obviously, Van Dinther’s unsanctioned bouts in The Netherlands aren’t part of his official fight record.
Van Dinther reportedly accepted the fight with Lilley on just three days notice. Lilley, fighting out of Swansea, Wales, is a former world title challenger and BKB and BKFC veteran, widely regarded as one of the UK’s best fighters. It will be a tall order for the Dutchman who is no stranger to the spotlight.
Photo Credit: Vechtsport
