Tag: BKFC: KnuckleMania 3

Austin Trout responds to Diego Sanchez’s ‘bogus’ cheating accusation at BKFC Knucklemania 3

“The Vaseline had nothing to do with nothing,” Austin Trout said of his win over Diego Sanchez.

[autotag]Austin Trout[/autotag] is not happy with some of the chatter following his Bare Knuckle FC debut.

Although the former WBA boxing champion successfully made his transition to bareknuckle last Friday at BKFC KnuckleMania 3 in Albuquerque, N.M., some people are accusing him to have cheated. Trout was accused by opponent Diego Sanchez, who lost by doctor’s stoppage, to have greased for the fight, making him hard to get a hold of.

Trout finds Sanchez’s accusations to be ridiculous.

“Cap, super cap,” Trout told MMA Junkie Radio. “… To say that I cheated is bogus. I didn’t cheat. There’s no clear lines that talk about Vaseline. We didn’t do anything in the box away from anyone, and we didn’t come out trying to hide anything. Everything was done right there in front of everyone.

“If anyone had a problem with it, they should’ve talked about it then. After the fight, Diego, I was right there with him. You know the reason he said why he couldn’t clinch? Out of his own mouth before he saw a video that suggested I was cheating. It wasn’t his idea. It was a video that gave him this idea that I was cheating, which I was very aggravated about.

“He said the reason why he couldn’t clinch was because of the speed and the foot work. That was the reason why he couldn’t clinch.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=420038933]

Trout confirmed he did apply Vaseline prior and during the fight. However, he was inspected by BKFC officials prior to entering ring. He said it’s a common practice in the boxing world.

‘In boxing, we put Vaseline over everywhere,” Trout explained. “In MMA, they have a certain amount that they allow. I don’t know what that is, but they check you right at the front. Over here they checked us at the front, and it was fine. We got in there and whatever we put on in between rounds because we do just like he did.

“He said he didn’t get none, but we have footage that he got Vaseline before and in between the rounds. If his corner didn’t put enough, that’s his corner’s fault. And if they didn’t like how much Vaseline I put on, then they should’ve checked me, but they didn’t. … And again, I didn’t put excessive Vaseline, because even in boxing they don’t allow excessive Vaseline. They make you wipe it off if it’s too much.”

Trout is happy with his performance and his experience debuting in bareknuckle boxing. He wants to return and continue down that path. However, he does admit he is partly annoyed that some of the attention from his win is being shined on Sanchez’s comments.

“It’s just annoying honestly,” Trout said. “At first, I was like, ‘You can’t be serious.’ But then there’s a bunch of, well, I think they’re bots because most of them have less than 100 followers (on social media) and a lot of them are private with no pictures, but they’re talking big head.

“It didn’t sour the victory, because he didn’t get close enough to touch me. Let’s just keep it above. The Vaseline had nothing to do with nothing.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for BKFC Knucklemania 3.

Photos: BKFC Knucklemania 3 media workouts

Check out these photos from the BKFC Knucklemania 3 media workouts in Albuquerque, N.M.

Check out these photos from the BKFC Knucklemania 3 media workouts ahead of the event taking place at Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque, N.M. (Photos courtesy of BKFC)

 

Diego Sanchez breaks down Austin Trout, explains why he’ll be ‘very dominant’ at KnuckleMania 3

Diego Sanchez doesn’t seem the least bit concerned with Austin Trout’s boxing pedigree heading into their Bare Knuckle FC debut against each other. 

[autotag]Diego Sanchez[/autotag] doesn’t seem the least bit concerned with Austin Trout’s boxing pedigree heading into their Bare Knuckle FC debut against each other.

The New Mexico natives are set to throw down Feb. 13 at BKFC: KnuckleMania 3 from Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque. If you’re at all concerned about Sanchez, 41, heading into the bout given the 37-year-old Trout’s skill level with his hands, “The Nightmare” insists there’s nothing to worry about.

“The dynamic and principles of this sport is completely different, and Austin Trout is a ‘Philly shell’ fighter like Floyd Mayweather, except he’s southpaw,” Sanchez told MMA Junkie Radio. “Being a ‘Philly shell’ fighter, you can’t block like that in bareknuckle, man. You’ve got a guy like me, who’s only got to go for 2 minutes of sprint, and I’m putting these bones on you. Whether I’m putting these bones on your shoulder, on your arm, on your ribs, on your sternum, on your liver, on your stomach, it’s gonna do damage. You’ve got to be aggressive.”

The fight will mark Sanchez’s second competition since the UFC released him in April 2021. A Season 1 winner of “The Ultimate Fighter,” Sanchez was released as a result of questions about his health history. Those questions were a point of contention for one New Mexico commissioner before he was ultimately licensed to fight Trout after additional medical testing.

Sanchez most recently lost a unanimous decision to fellow former UFC standout Kevin Lee in March 2022 at Eagle FC 46.

[lawrence-related id=2610694,2610688,2608875]

Heading into KnuckleMania 3, Sanchez believes he’s right where he belongs fighting bareknuckle.

“This sport was made for me – 2-minute rounds, inside fighting, no gloves, and pressure. Pressure, pressure, pressure,” Sanchez said. “This is gonna be a great avenue for me to compete. I just think it’s gonna be a real statement, because a lot of people are all scared for me. ‘He (Trout) went 12 rounds with Canelo.’ Their eyes are like this (widens his eyes). ‘He went 12 rounds with Canelo. Are you sure?’ C’mon, bro. This ain’t boxing, and I’m not Canelo.

“This is a different sport. The moment I get inside, the moment that I start throwing and firing on him, it’s just a different sport. I’m gonna go out there, and I’m gonna prove it. I’m gonna show you what I’m talking about, and I’m gonna be very dominant. I’m gonna be very successful. And, yeah, you guys are gonna be like, ‘I guess Diego had a little more in the tank still.'”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for BKFC: KnuckleMania 3.

Video: Lorenzo Hunt, Mike Richman brawl, destroy stage during KnuckleMania 3 press conference

All hell broke loose between Lorenzo Hunt, Mike Richman at a BKFC press conference.

[autotag]Lorenzo Hunt[/autotag] and [autotag]Mike Richman[/autotag] are already getting hands on each other before their BKFC championship bout.

The two got into a full-on brawl at Thursday’s pre-fight press conference promoting KnuckleMania 3. After a few verbal back-and-forths, Hunt and Richman got up from their seats, and went at each other.

BKFC present [autotag]David Feldman[/autotag] and the security present tried their best to stop the brawl, but they were still able to lock horns and trade a few strikes. Hunt and Richman even fell off stage, knocking down the dais behind them.

You can watch their full brawl in the video above.

[lawrence-related id=2610688,2609863]

Hunt and Richman are set to compete in a light heavyweight title unification bout. The contest will serve as the main event for BKFC KnuckleMania 3, which will be held in Albuquerque, N.M. on Feb. 17.

Hunt has been one of the most successful fighters in BKFC, winning titles across two different divisions. Hunt has picked up victories over notable names such as Hector Lombard, Joe Riggs and Quentin Henry.

On the other hand, Richman, a former Bellator featherweight and bantamweight fighter, has put together a 4-0 record since joining the BKFC roster. Richman won the BKFC interim light heavyweight title with a knockout win over Isaac Doolittle this past October. He also holds bareknuckle boxing wins over former MMA fighters David Rickels and Dakota Cochrane.

[vertical-gallery id=2581960]

Greg Hardy to make BKFC debut on Feb. 17 at KnuckleMania 3

Greg Hardy has a date for his BKFC debut.

(Editor’s note: Story updated at 8:45 p.m. ET to reflect new information from BKFC.)

[autotag]Greg Hardy[/autotag] has a date for his bare-knuckle boxing debut.

Hardy, a former UFC heavyweight fighter and NFL standout, is scheduled to fight Feb. 17 at at BKFC’s tentpole event “KnuckleMania 3” in Albuquerque, N.M. Standing across the ring will be Josh Watson, a two-fight BKFC veteran.

Hardy’s signing was announced Thursday by BKFC president Dave Feldman during a pre-fight news conference ahead of “KnuckleMania 3.” Watson was later announced as his opponent by the promotion on social media.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CnngczjJ2b9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

“It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood,” Hardy said at the presser. “This is what I do. Big-time shows, big-time events. I hope ya’ll don’t miss it. Buy the tickets, because it’s going to be entertaining as hell. I never let you down. I never quit on you. Either I leave on a stretcher, or they leave on a stretcher, and it’s about to happen again. It’s about to be amazing. How can you not be excited about this?”

[lawrence-related id=2610513,2608875]

The bout will be Hardy’s third combat sports competition since his UFC departure in early 2022. The last time he fought in the UFC, he lost to Sergey Spivak by first-round TKO. He left the promotion on a three-fight losing streak.

Since then, Hardy, 34, has competed twice in professional boxing. He made his debut with a knockout of Mike Cook last October and then defeated Hasim Rahman Jr. by four-round unanimous decision in November.

[vertical-gallery id=402287]

Diego Sanchez wants Nate Diaz in BKFC: ‘Real Gs don’t wear gloves, homie’

Diego Sanchez hopes to finally throw down with fellow former UFC fan favorite Nate Diaz – without the gloves under the BKFC banner.

[autotag]Diego Sanchez[/autotag] hopes to finally throw down with [autotag]Nate Diaz[/autotag] – without gloves.

Sanchez makes his bareknuckle boxing debut against Austin Trout at BKFC: KnuckleMania 3 on Feb. 17 at Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque, N.M, which is Sanchez’s home city. The main card streams on BareKnuckle TV after prelims on YouTube.

Although they never crossed paths, Sanchez and Diaz were longtime UFC fighters before each recently parted ways with the promotion. Sanchez does, however, have a 2005 win over Diaz’s brother Nick.

Now Sanchez wants the other superstar from Stockton, Calif., and thinks the fight could happen if he impresses against Trout.

“Nate won’t fight me because I beat his bigger brother and he idolizes his bigger brother in this weird way,” Sanchez told MMA Junkie Radio. “I’ve been trying to fight Nate for 10 years. If this performance can be so epic and so powerful and dominant – and it will be – I have a chance at snagging that Nate Diaz fight. That’s always the fight I wanted, too, because if I beat Nate, then I’m the first guy to ever beat both Diaz brothers.

“You the real G, Nate? Then take off the gloves, homie. Real Gs don’t wear gloves, homie. Real Gs get down in the street – bone to bone, knuckle to knuckle, and the little b*tch ends up buckling.”

But Sanchez also understands Diaz currently is one of the hottest free agents in the game with numerous lucrative options ahead of him.

“I’m telling you all right now: Nate is just like everybody else in combat sports,” Sanchez said. “We’re all just trying to get the highest payday we could get. … So he’s got Conor McGregor, Jake Paul and he’s got Floyd Mayweather. He’s got those three fights that could possibly be big, huge paydays for him.”

[vertical-gallery id=553407]

John Dodson makes quick turnaround from Rizin FF win to fight at ‘BKFC: KnuckleMania 3’ on Feb. 17

John Dodson continues to stay active in his post-UFC run.

[autotag]John Dodson[/autotag] continue to stay active in his post-UFC run.

Less than two weeks after picking up a win in his Rizin FF debut on New Year’s Eve, Dodson’s next assignment is already set, and it will come with Bare Knuckle FC.

Dodson, a former two-time UFC title challenger, has been added to “BKFC: KnuckleMania 3” tentpole event, which takes place Feb. 17 at The Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque, N.M. The event streams via online pay-per-view on the BKFC app.

“The Magician” will get a tough test, too, in the form of a flyweight matchup with former BKFC titleholder Jarod Grant, the promotion announced in a press release Wednesday.

Since parting ways with the UFC in late 2020, Dodson has gone 3-1 in his combat sports run. He made his BKFC debut in August, earning a 40-second knockout of fellow octagon veteran Ryan Benoit.

Dodson then headed overseas to fight for Rizin FF, where he earned a vicious TKO of Hideo Tokoro in less than two minutes.

[vertical-gallery id=386068]

New Mexico approves Diego Sanchez to fight Austin Trout in BKFC after additional medical testing

After health concerns expressed by a New Mexico commissioner, Diego Sanchez is clear to compete against former boxing champ Austin Trout.

[autotag]Diego Sanchez[/autotag]’s bare-knuckle boxing debut against Austin Trout has the green light to proceed following the submission of additional medical testing.

During a special hearing Tuesday attended virtually by MMA Junkie, the New Mexico Athletic Commission approved the bout between the UFC legend and former boxing champion at the upcoming BKFC: KnuckleMania 3 event in Albuquerque by a vote of 3-1.

The meeting was the second in recent weeks to discuss the prospects of New Mexico’s Sanchez fighting Trout. On Dec. 21, the fight was discussed as part of the event license approval, but commissioner Jerome O’Connell voiced concerns about Sanchez’s health – especially pertinent to the level of opposition.

Since the initial hearing, Sanchez and his manager, Ricky Kottenstette, submitted additional medical testing that included a brain MRI and a neurological exam, which led to approval from all voting commission members except O’Connell. He indicated outside regulatory bodies had voiced concerns to NMAC about Sanchez.

“(Concerns) for me center around Diego Sanchez’s long-standing concerns about neurological issues and concussions, and his concerns in articles and interviews about brain damage,” O’Connell said. “Those, for me, haven’t been alleviated by an MRI and a neurology report. I have some of the same reservations that we talked about when we last got together.

“… I find it compelling that there are concerns outside of our body with this fight. That gives me pause.”

While Sanchez did not speak on Tuesday’s call, he went before the commission at the Dec. 21 meeting and attributed many of the online concerns to his former manager, Joshua Fabia, as hearsay. Sanchez indicated he cares about his long-term health and took it upon himself to get examined to ensure no serious issues.

Both Sanchez, 41, and Trout, 37, will make their BKFC debut Feb. 17 at Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque. The main card streams on BareKnuckle TV after prelims on YouTube.

Since his UFC departure in 2021, Sanchez has competed once in MMA. At Eagle FC 46, he put forth a competitive outing in a loss against Kevin Lee. In his most recent six MMA fights, Sanchez went 3-3 with wins over Michel Pereira, Mickey Gall, and Craig White.

Trout is a former WBA light middleweight champion with a 35-5 record. He signed with BKFC in November and is on a five-fight winning streak in professional boxing.

Shortly after the commission’s approval, BKFC announced Trout vs. Sanchez on social media. It will likely be co-main event to an already-announced Lorenzo Hunt vs. Mike Richman title fight.

[vertical-gallery id=553407]