Nashville, TN (June 19, 2026) – Naked Knuckle Combating Championship (BKFC) made a smashing first impression within the firm’s extremely anticipated Tennessee premiere on Friday evening with BKFC Combat Night time Nashville, broadcast LIVE worldwide on The BKFC App from the sold-out Pinnacle in Nashville, TN.
Massive-time upsets occurred in Friday’s Foremost Occasion and Co-Foremost Occasion.
Within the BKFC Combat Night time Nashville Foremost Occasion, JC DeLeon defeated former BKFC World Title challenger Tony “Loco” Soto. Soto’s nook referred to as a cease to the battle on the conclusion of the third spherical. DeLeon, who hails from Fort Value, TX, is now 3-1 below the BKFC banner. The Hickory, NC product Soto, who entered battle evening because the #3 Ranked Contender within the BKFC light-weight division, is now 6-4 in his BKFC profession.
“I’m on my approach up and he’s on his approach out. Respect to Tony Soto; he’s a hell of a fighter. God bless him and his household,” DeLeon mentioned in his post-fight interview, including, “I hope we placed on a present for you all. God bless you all.”
After drawing even by way of 5 back-and-forth rounds, Friday’s Co-Foremost Occasion was determined through a winner-takes-all extra time spherical, with Tray “Massive Canine” Martin upsetting the #2 Ranked Contender within the BKFC featherweight division, Nathan “The Reaper” Rivera, through judges’ determination. Martin, who recorded the only knockdown of the battle represents Columbia, MO, and is now 2-0, whereas the Smyrna, GA fighter Rivera is now 5-1.
Martin took intention at BKFC World Featherweight Champion “King” Kai Stewart along with Bryan “El Gallo” Duran, who was sitting ringside, in his post-fight interview: “I’m right here to let you know that there are ranges to this. This isn’t my first rodeo. I’ve had 27 professional fights, 18 newbie fights. I’ve obtained far more expertise than any of you individuals mixed. Let’s go!”
In Friday’s Featured Combat, Bobby “ODB” Taylor recorded six knockdowns en path to the second-round technical knockout victory over Angel “OG” Hernandez in light-weight motion. The stoppage got here 58 seconds into the second stanza. The Pocahontas, TN product is now 7-4, whereas Hernandez, who represents Gary, IN, strikes to 1-2.
Celebrities in attendance on Friday evening included Tennessee Titans cornerback Micah Robinson, media character Bunnie Xo and BKFC Cruiserweight World Champion Esteban “Mohawk” Rodriguez, amongst others.
Within the first Ironweight (206-225 kilos) bout in BKFC historical past, Pori, Finland’s Prince McLean defeated Jeramy “The Cowboy” Karshner of Lithopolis, OH through technical knockout. The bout was stopped with 12 seconds left within the opening body. Each fighters had been getting into the BKFC Squared Circle for the primary time.
Woodstock, GA light-weight Cole Ferrell climbed to 2-1 with a dominant victory over Quintan “The Hitman” Foye. Ferrell recorded three knockdowns earlier than the bout ended 38 seconds into the ultimate spherical. The Greensboro, NC product Foye is now 2-5 below the BKFC banner.Nashville, TN’s Ravon “Massive Shot” Baxter smashed his solution to 2-1-1 with a 93-second technical knockout victory on the expense of Junior “The Joker” Hicks within the light-heavyweight division. Baxter despatched Hicks to the canvas twice. Hicks, who hails from Greenfield, IA, is now 0-2.
Nashville, TN’s Caleb “Batman” Harvey was victorious in his BKFC debut, defeating Josh “Jigsaw” Whiteside through unanimous determination in welterweight motion. All three judges agreed on the 30-27 rating. Whiteside, representing Memphis, TN, is now 1-1 below the BKFC banner.
Fort Thomas, KY light-heavyweight upstart Zach “The Ripper” Russ solely wanted 45 seconds to steamroll Kelvin “Subsequent Stage” Rayford in his BKFC premiere. Rayford, who hails from Ada, OK, was additionally making his BKFC debut.
Nashville, TN’s Payton “The Horseman” Hayes turned heads in his BKFC debut, needing simply 101 seconds to cease Julian Valencia in bantamweight motion. Hayes logged a pair of knockdowns to the end. Valencia, who represents Kenosha, WI, is now 0-2 in his BKFC profession.
Within the first BKFC battle in Tennessee historical past, Joby “Jobywankenobi” Steffensmeier defeated Robert “Ohteht” Fichtnervia cut up determination in bantamweight motion. Two judges scored the battle 29-28 for the Davenport, IA product, whereas one choose scored the competition 29-28 for the Liberal, KS fighter Fichtner. Steffensmeier is now 1-1 below the BKFC banner. Fichtner was making his promotional debut.
BKFC Combat Night time Nashville Outcomes
JC DeLeon def. (3) Tony Soto through TKO in Spherical 3 (2:00)Tray Martin def. (2) Nathan Rivera through Unanimous Determination in Additional time Spherical (10-9×3)Bobby Taylor def. Angel Hernandez through TKO in Spherical 2 (0:58)Prince McLean def. Jeramy Karshner through TKO in Spherical 1 (1:48)Cole Ferrell def. Quintan Foye through TKO in Spherical 5 (0:38)Ravon Baxter def. Junior Hicks through TKO in Spherical 1 (1:33)Caleb Harvey def. Josh Whiteside through Unanimous Determination (30-27×3)Zach Russ def. Kelvin Rayford through TKO in Spherical 1 (0:45)Payton Hayes def. Julian Valencia through KO in Spherical 1 (1:41)Joby Steffensmeier def. Robert Fichtner through Break up Determination (29-28×2, 28-29),
