Connecticut's Parker Porter is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the BKFC (bare-knuckle) heavyweight division. The West Hartford, CT big man needed just 44 seconds to steamroll fellow Ultimate Fighting Championship vet Chase Gormley in February.  He makes his return to the squared circle against Dillon Cleckler in the main event of BKFC's return to the Mohegan Sun in his home state on June 14th, live on The BKFC App from Uncasville, CT.

“I’m pumped,” Porter says ahead of his second BKFC showdown. “I’m beyond happy to be working with BKFC. This sport fits me perfectly, and I couldn’t be happier to have this opportunity in the Main Event.”

Parker enjoys fighting with his bare knuckles and is partial to competing at the iconic Mohegan Sun. But he’s here for more than a good time. He’s hunting for the BKFC heavyweight title, and has already calculated the ramifications of a stoppage victory over an established contender like Cleckler. “This is a great step up in competition that I’m really excited about. This is a big opportunity, and I think I’ve got something for him. I mean that respectfully, as always, but I’m on a mission to go get that belt and this is the next step,” Porter says. “Taking him out is going to catapult me up the ranks.”

On the same show, Yorgan De Castro will battle Josh Watson, also in the heavyweight division. Back in February, De Castro pummeled Bobby Brents en route to a second-round TKO victory. De Castro’s combat sports resume includes 19 professional MMA bouts, including four under the Ultimate Fighting Championship banner. 

De Castro has accomplished a lot in the cage, but he feels that bare-knuckle fighting is an even better fit for him than MMA. “I’m a lot better with BKFC,” the Cape Verde-born Fall River, MA product says.  “This fighting style allows me to be a lot more loose and creative with my striking without having to worry about being taken down. Training camp was also a lot better because I can just focus on my boxing, which I like. Bare knuckle suits me great because I’m a fast heavyweight and I’ve got heavy hands. I respect everyone in BKFC because you’ve got to be tough to hang here, but I think my skill set puts me on a different level than most fighters.”

De Castro hopes an impressive win will grant him a shot at undefeated BKFC heavyweight champion Ben Rothwell later this year. “Right now, I’m putting my MMA career on hold and I’m focusing solely on BKFC. My goal is to fight for the belt; I will be BKFC World Heavyweight Champion,” he says. “It will feel amazing to have the belt around my waist,” the personable De Castro adds with a smile. “That will be the greatest and final accomplishment of my career in combat sports.”