Bare Knuckle FC officially announced the main and co-main events for BKFC Liberty Brawl in Philadelphia on 3 July.
In celebration of America’s 250th birthday, BKFC Liberty Brawl marks the promotion’s third hometown event at the Xfinity Mobile Arena. BKFC held both Knucklemania V and VI at the venue and drew crowds of over 17 and 18 thousand.
In the BKFC Liberty Brawl main event, Austin “No Doubt” Trout faces Britain’s Ben Bonner for the vacant BKFC lightweight title.
Trout, a former WBA junior middleweight boxing champion, will challenge for his second BKFC title. Trout previously held the promotion’s welterweight title, winning the belt from Luis Palomino and successfully defending against Rico Franco and Carlos Trinidad-Snake.
Trout (5-0, 2 KOs) moved down in weight after the win over Trinidad-Snake. He defeated Palomino by TKO late last year in a lightweight tournament semifinal to earn a shot at the vacant crown. Unbeaten in five bare knuckle fights, Trout was the first man to win professional titles in boxing and bare knuckle in the modern bare knuckle era.
Bonner (5-2, 3 KOs) is a former interim champion who earned a crack at the vacant belt with a points win over Tony Soto at Knucklemania VI. It was the second time Bonner defeated Soto. The Middlesborough man has shown his talent and grit but now faces arguably the most talented bare knuckle fighter in the world in Trout.
Britain Hart Returns for Grudge Match Against Dr Sarah Shell
BKFC women’s strawweight champion Britain Hart makes her ring return against Sarah Shell in the co-feature. The two reportedly had a “run-in” at a BKFC event in Florida late last year.
Hart (10-3, 2 KOs) is one of bare knuckle’s biggest female stars and one of the sport’s best women’s fighters. She made a splash with an upset win over Paige VanZant at Knucklemania I. Hart went on to defeat UFC veteran Pearl Gonzalez and rival Jenny Savage.
After a second loss to top female fighter and flyweight champ Christine Ferea, Hart moved down to the strawweight limit of 115 lbs. She captured the vacant title with a win over Charisa Sagala and has successfully defended against Savage, Melanie Shah, Taylor Starling and Tai Emery.
Have you ever heard of a medical doctor who competes as a professional fighter? Dr Sarah Shell is a licensed physician who punches opponents in the face for pay.
Shell is “is a licensed Naturopathic Medical Doctor and integrative primary care physician in Arizona”, according to her website.
She competed in professional MMA before making the move to bare knuckle. Shell has excelled thus far win her ungloved boxing career, winning all three of her bouts.
She’s defeated Audra Cummings, Crystal van Wyk and Laddy Mejia.
Shell has impressed but she’s making a big step up in competition. Hart has the same amount of losses as Shell has fights, and Britain has faced a who’s who of top female bare knuckle talent.
Hs the good doctor bitten off more than she can chew? Fans will find out on 3 July in Philadelphia.
Garbarino Also in Action
Local fan favourite Johnny “The Cannoli” Garbarino was also announced for the BKFC Liberty Brawl fight card. Garbarino is 4-0 in BKFC competition and gone viral by pelting opponents with cannolis.
