BKFC Albuquerque is upon us. After a couple of weeks away, Naked Knuckle Preventing Championship shall be again in motion this coming Friday evening. Kiva Auditorium is the location for Friday’s bare-knuckle extravaganza.
Reside protection of the occasion begins at 8 pm ET/ 5 pm PT on YouTube with the countdown present earlier than transferring onto the BKFC cell app and DAZN at 9 pm ET/ 6 pm PT for the fights themselves.
All instructed, barring any late changes to the bout order, the ultimate model of BKFC Albuquerque encompasses a slate of 12 bare-knuckle boxing fights. Though no championships are to be defended or provided throughout the card this Friday evening, the present gained’t be quick on pleasure.
BKFC Albuquerque Fundamental Occasion: Keith Richardson vs. Bekhzod Usmonov
On the prime of the invoice on Friday, you’ll see motion within the bantamweight division between No. 1 contender Keith Richardson (27-12 fight sports activities, 5-1 BKFC), a 33-fight veteran of MMA, and unranked Bekhzod Usmonov (12-6 fight sports activities, 1-1 BKFC), who fought 16 instances contained in the cage. All fights on BKFC Albuquerque, the principle occasion included, shall be an marketed most of 5 rounds at two minutes per spherical.
Richardson enters the Friday evening headliner having posted a report of 4-1 in his final 5 appearances. He is available in after having a brief hiatus between fights.
Proper earlier than the Christmas vacation on Dec. 6, he wanted simply 21 seconds to complete off Michael Larrimore with a left-handed shot. Referee Dan Miragliotta wasted no time calling an finish to the combat.
If his efficiency on Friday is something just like the one which Keith Richardson turned in on Dec. 6, he could possibly be a bantamweight title shot subsequent trip. Tune in and learn how he fares this time.
Throughout the best way, Bekhzod Usmonov comes into the bout with a mark of 1-4 in his final 5 skilled bouts throughout MMA, bare-knuckle boxing and conventional boxing. A veteran of the LFA, he dropped a unanimous resolution loss to Justin Wetzell (10-2 MMA) throughout the Oct. 25 LFA 195 from Vail, CO on UFC Combat Go.
Usmonov has cut up his fights below the BKFC promotional banner. A victory towards the top-ranked contender at bantamweight can do wonders for his long-term prospects within the sport.
BKFC Albuquerque Co-Fundamental Occasion: Donald Sanchez vs. Harrison Aiken
Instantly beforehand, the co-main occasion of the night at BKFC Albuquerque sees a lightweight heavyweight tilt between Donald Sanchez (39-24 fight sports activities, 3-1 bare-knuckle), a 50-fight veteran of MMA, and Harrison Aiken (3-6 fight sports activities, 3-3 bare-knuckle.)
Sanchez will come into New Mexico on the power of a 4-1 report in his final 5 fights. At present, he’s on a four-fight successful streak courting again to August of 2023.
Again in June of final yr, he bested Bryant McClain by the use of cut up resolution after 10 rounds in a standard boxing match from Albuquerque, the place he’s a local. It is a “residence recreation” for Sanchez, so can he give the locals one thing to smile about?
Within the different nook, Harrison Aiken has the inverse report forward of Friday’s BKFC Albuquerque, 1-4. Most not too long ago, he noticed a five-fight dropping streak throughout all competitions snapped by the use of unanimous resolution versus Brock Walker.
To borrow a time period from sports activities leisure, Aiken shall be enjoying the function of the heel within the co-main occasion on Friday evening. Can he tune out the boos that the gang will give him in BKFC Albuquerque this weekend?
BKFC Albuquerque Featured Bout: Manuel Otero vs. Braxton Smith
Heavyweights knuckle up within the BKFC Albuquerque featured bout on Friday evening when Manuel Otero (8-15 fight sports activities, 1-0 bare-knuckle) squares off towards Braxton Smith (6-2 fight sports activities, 1-0 bare-knuckle.) Each are veterans of MMA.
Otero will make the stroll to the ring this weekend having gone 1-4 in his final 5 fights. A yr in the past, he returned to the world of aggressive violence for the primary time since 2016 with a second-round knockout victory over Mikey Furnier (1-6 fight sports activities, 0-3 bare-knuckle) in BKFC 59 from Albuquerque.
He was born in New Mexico and has fought in entrance of the locals earlier than. Solely time will inform if Manuel Otero can convey residence a win once more this week.
In the meantime, Braxton Smith, who frolicked within the UFC in 2023, enters this contest at 4-1 over his final 5 contests. Again in December, he made his manner again to the win column due to a third-round knockout of Alex Davis (6-8-1 fight sports activities, 1-1 bare-knuckle.)
He’s set foot on one among fight sports activities’ greatest stage. How will he do on this stage?
Closing Ideas
Which combat or fights are you wanting ahead to on BKFC Albuquerque? Tell us within the feedback.
