Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), recognized as the fastest-growing promotion in combat sports, hosted a monumental event on their eagerly awaited Georgia debut. This event, BKFC 69, took place at the completely sold-out Gas South Arena in Atlanta, GA, and was broadcasted live to a global audience through The BKFC App.
The highlight of Saturday’s thrilling event was the record-breaking knockout in BKFC history. Hailing from China Grove, NC, featherweight Justin Watson achieved a spectacular two-second, one-punch KO victory over Cole Ferrell. This record-setting moment dethroned Ulysses Diaz’s previous record of a three-second KO at BKFC 14 in 2020. Watson’s BKFC record improved to 1-2 with this astounding win, despite entering the contest as a +607 betting underdog through NXTbets. Meanwhile, Atlanta’s own Cole Ferrell, who holds an 11-1 professional MMA record, now stands at 1-1 in his BKFC career.
Former BKFC World Bantamweight Champion Keith “The Rockstar” Richardson made a thunderous return by vanquishing the previously undefeated Michael “Papa G” Larrimore within just 21 seconds in the eagerly anticipated BKFC 69 Main Event. The competitor from Rock Hill, SC, restores his record to 5-1 after suffering a title loss to Alberto “El Indio” Blas at BKFC 62 in June.
“I’m back, baby,” Richardson declared to the electrified audience at the packed Gas South Arena. He passionately claimed, “The belt belongs in South Carolina at Modern Warrior MMA, and it’s going to stay there.”
Representing Tampa, FL, Larrimore now holds a 2-1 record in his BKFC career.
Chicago welterweight contender Derrick “Superman” Findley secured a split decision victory over fan-favorite Atlanta fighter Joe “Hitman 187” Elmore in their fiercely contested Co-Main Event faceoff. Judges scored the gripping fight 48-47 in favor of Findley, while one judge tallied it 49-46 for Elmore. With this win, Findley equalized his BKFC record to 2-2, whereas Elmore’s record dropped to 2-4.
Afterward, Findley enthusiastically addressed the sold-out Gas South Arena, “BKFC, y’all are (expletive) dope, man. This is the No. 1 combat sport in the world, and I’m proud to be a part of it. Let’s go. Thank you to the judges for scoring this fight fairly — I did what I had to do to get the win. I want some of the big fish now — let’s get it!”
UFC veteran Nate “Mayhem” Maness emerged victorious in his BKFC debut, defeating Nick “Nicky No Holdz Barz” Burgos via a standing finish in the third round during their bantamweight clash. Maness, representing Henderson, KY, was declared the winner via TKO with merely one second remaining in the third round. Burgos, from Lancaster, PA, now holds a 0-1 record.
Another UFC veteran, Braxton “The Beautiful Monster” Smith, also tasted victory in his BKFC debut by knocking down Alex “The Rhino” Davis three times during their heavyweight match. The bout concluded 57 seconds into the third round with Smith, from Austin, TX, garnering the win despite having been knocked down once himself. Davis, from Coal Mountain, WV, now holds a BKFC record of 1-1.
During Saturday’s broadcast on The BKFC App, an announcement was made that Mick Terrill will contest his BKFC World Heavyweight Championship against the undefeated “Big” Ben Rothwell. This anticipated match will occur as the Co-Main Event of KnuckleMania V on January 25, marking BKFC’s well-awaited Pennsylvania debut at Philadelphia’s iconic Wells Fargo Arena, with a global live stream available on DAZN.
Emerging Atlanta featherweight Nathan “The Reaper” Rivera improved to 3-0 in his BKFC career by securing a one-sided, unanimous decision win over Justin “The Nightmare” Street. All three judges recorded a 50-44 score in favor of Rivera, who logged the sole knockdown of the bout. Meanwhile, Street, from Dearborn, MI, witnessed his record fall to 1-2 under the BKFC flag.
Martinsville, VA’s “Ruthless” Joe Ray maintained his undefeated streak in the BKFC heavyweight division with a third-round TKO against newcomers Dexter Carthon from Atlanta. Ray sent Carthon to the mat once in the match, paving the way for a KO stoppage 68 seconds into the third round.
Columbus, GA’s Joseph “The Dark Knight” Creer progressed to 3-2 under the BKFC banner with a unanimous decision win against David Simpson in their light-heavyweight fight. The judges scored it 49-45 twice and 50-44 in favor of Creer, who notched the only knockdown in the fight. Meanwhile, Simpson from Smith Center, KS, saw his record diminish to 2-4.
South African-born Lake Wylie, NC fighter Crystal “The Lovely” Van Wyk returned to winning ways, boosting her BKFC record to 2-1 with a unanimous decision win over Emma “Eazy E” Murray in the women’s strawweight division. The judges awarded Van Wyk a 48-47 victory. Murray, representing Columbus, GA, now holds a 0-1 record.
Madcow, GA’s Ace “O’ Spades” Samples achieved two knockdowns resulting in a first-round knockout win over “Savage” Mike Livingston in their bantamweight event. The stop was called at 1:08, advancing Samples to a 2-1 record with two KOs under the BKFC banner. Livingston’s record tapered to 0-3, representing St. Louis, MO.
Columbus, GA’s Daniel “Super” Cooper upped his BKFC record to a perfect 2-0 following a stoppage victory over Louis Brewington in the first round of their light-heavyweight match. The official bell rang with just two seconds to spare in the round. Both of Cooper’s BKFC wins have ended within the distance. Brewington, coming from Miami, experienced a TKO loss, resulting in a 0-1 record.
BKFC 69 Results:
Keith Richardson defeated Michael Larrimore via KO in Round 1 (0:21)
Derrick Findley defeated Joe Elmore via Split Decision (48-47×2, 46-49)
Nate Maness defeated Nick Burgos via TKO in Round 3 (1:59)
Nathan Rivera defeated Justin Street via Unanimous Decision (50-44×3)
Joe Ray defeated Dexter Carthon via KO in Round 3 (1:08)
Joseph Creer defeated David Simpson via Unanimous Decision (49-45×2, 50-44)
Crystal Van Wyk defeated Emma Murray via Unanimous Decision (48-47×3)
Justin Watson defeated Cole Ferrell via KO in Round 1 (0:03)
Braxton Smith defeated Alex Davis via TKO in Round 3 (0:57)
Ace Samples defeated Mike Livingston via KO in Round 1 (1:08)
Daniel Cooper defeated Louis Brewington via TKO in Round 1 (1:58)
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