BKFC made its Tennessee premiere on Friday in Nashville at the sold-out Pinnacle. Upsets took place in the two headline fights. In the main event, JC “Corazon” DeLeon defeated former Tony “Loco” Soto when Soto’s corner called a stop to the fight at the conclusion of the third round. DeLeon, who hails from Fort Worth, TX, is now 3-1 under the BKFC banner. The Hickory, NC product Soto, who entered fight night as the #3 contender in the BKFC lightweight division, is now 6-4 in his BKFC career. “I’m on my way up and he’s on his way out. Respect to Tony Soto; he’s a hell of a fighter. God bless him and his family,” DeLeon said in his post-fight interview, adding, “I hope we put on a show for you all. God bless you all.”
After five back-and-forth rounds produced even scorecards, Friday’s co-feature was decided via a winner-takes-all overtime round, with Tray “Big Dog” Martin upsetting Nathan “The Reaper” Rivera, who was the the #2 contender in BKFC's featherweight division. Martin won the overtime round via judges’ decision. He also recorded the sole knockdown of the fight. Martin, who represents Columbia, MO, is now 2-0, while the Smyrna, GA fighter Rivera is now 5-1. Martin took aim at BKFC featherweight champion “King” Kai Stewart and Bryan “El Gallo” Duran, who was sitting ringside, in his post-fight interview: “I’m here to tell you that there are levels to this. This isn’t my first rodeo. I’ve had 27 pro fights, 18 amateur fights. I’ve got way more experience than any of you people combined. Let’s go!”
Bobby “ODB” Taylor recorded six knockdowns en route to the second-round TKO victory over Angel “OG” Hernandez in lightweight action. The stoppage came 58 seconds into the second stanza. The Pocahontas, TN product is now 7-4 in his bare knuckle fighting career, while Hernandez, who represents Gary, IN, is now 1-2.
In the first ironweight (206-225 pounds) bout in BKFC history, Finland’s Prince McLean defeated Jeramy “The Cowboy” Karshner of Lithopolis, OH via TKO. The bout was stopped with 12 seconds left in the opening frame. Both fighters were stepping into the BKFC squared circle for the first time.
Georgia lightweight Cole Ferrell climbed to 2-1 with a dominant victory over Quintan “The Hitman” Foye. Ferrell recorded three knockdowns before the bout ended 38 seconds into the final round. The Greensboro, NC product Foye is now 2-5 under the BKFC banner.
Nashville, TN’s Ravon “Big Shot” Baxter smashed his way to 2-1-1 in his BKFC career with a 93-second TKO victory at the expense of Junior “The Joker” Hicks in the light-heavyweight division. Baxter sent 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 via unanimous decision in welterweight action. All three judges agreed on the 30-27 score. Whiteside, who represents Memphis, TN, is now 1-1 under the BKFC banner.
Kentucky light heavyweight Zach “The Ripper” Russ only needed 45 seconds to steamroll Kelvin “Next Level” Rayford in his BKFC premiere. Rayford, who hails from Oklahoma, was also stepping into the squared circle for the first time.
Nashville, TN’s Payton “The Horseman” Hayes turned heads in his BKFC premiere, needing just 101 seconds to stop Julian Valencia in bantamweight action. Hayes logged a pair of knockdowns to the finish. Valencia, who represents Kenosha, WI, is now 0-2 in his BKFC career.
In the first BKFC fight in Tennessee history, Joby “Jobywankenobi” Steffensmeier defeated Robert “Ohteht” Fichtner via split decision in bantamweight action. Two judges scored the fight 29-28 for the Davenport, IA product, while one judge scored the contest 29-28 for the Liberal, KS fighter Fichtner. Steffensmeier is now 1-1 under the BKFC banner. Fichtner was making his promotional debut.
