Since the last event in Biloxi MI where we got to enjoy another night of epic fights many things have happened outside the squared circle as president David Feldman eyes the future of BKFC in 2021 - and there is plenty to look forward to. Well, let's start by talking about the upcoming events for 2021. To kick off the year BKFC will be going to Thailand late January for an international event. There has not been much info on it but president Feldman announced on the BKFC official podcast that the event will be a mix of guys from Thailand and some BKFC fighters from the USA. There has not been any fights officially announced for this card nor has any fighters announced that they will be taking the challenge. BKFC does tend to announce their fights only a couple weeks prior to the event so I am not surprised here. What we expect is some sort of an unofficial BKFC event, it seems like BKFC is looking to explore the bare knuckle fighting market in other countries and co-sponsor events. I could be completely wrong but I don’t see this being a ‘full-time’ BKFC event, also because it will not be a ‘numbered card’ since we are going from BKFC 15 in Biloxi to BKFC 16 in Tampa on February 5th. Now this is the card we want to talk about here - BKFC 16 in Tampa FL will feature the much awaited debut of MMA star Paige Vanzant. Although BKFC has not officially announced her opponent, Vanzant announced herself that she will be fighting Britain Hart who is now (1-2) and coming off a decisive win at BKFC 14. After having her armed raised, Hart called out Vanzant to the ring and they both agreed to a fight.
The card in Tampa is definitely expected to be the hottest card in the history of BKFC, aside from Vanzant it is rumored that MMA veteran Thiago Alves will make his return to the squared circle that same night. Two fights have already been announced and only to show how spectacular this card will be. UFC legend Chris Leben will be making his farewell bout versus the upcoming 205 pounder Quentin Henry. This should be an interesting fight and a true test for Henry who is looking to make a statement in BKFC after earning back to back KO victories. Leben on the other hand is currently 2-1 in BKFC and has been working together with the organization as a scout searching for new fighters. He has decided to put an end to his career but wants to leave victorious - this has all the ingredients to be one of the greatest fights in the history of BKFC.
The second fight announced is one of the most anticipated bouts in BKFC: Johnny Bedford vs Dat Nguyen. This fight should have taken place in Miami but Bedford had to pull out due to a back injury but now a month away from the fight, both fighters so far are healthy and ready to go. This will be a title fight for the 135lbs strap and P4P king Bedford has no intentions of letting the belt go, instead he plans to take over the 145lbs division after possibly defeating Nguyen. Nguyen is a confident fighter with plans of his own, he has recently called out the heavyweight champion Joey Beltran for a fight after he takes care of Bedford. It is unknown whether this will be the main event or co-main event for the night.
Two other fighters who have signed to fight at BKFC 16 but not against each other are ‘Kid Gatti’ Jarod Grant and newcomer Bellator fighter Haim Gozali. Grant announced through the @Slaughterhouseboxing Instagram page that ‘the contract is signed’ and Gozali also announced through his IG page that he had signed the contract and president David Feldman confirmed on the official BKFC podcast that Gozali will be making his debut at BKFC 16.
New signees
In the past three weeks a few interesting names have signed with BKFC to soon debut. As BKFC president David Feldman has mentioned over and over, BKFC is looking to go international in 2021 to places like Thailand, Italy, and Israel. It is no surprise that in the past few weeks the organization has signed with fighters from all over the world.
Dimitri Angelini
The Italian fighter comes from a Muay Thai background and was fighting at BKB in England. I was unable to find a record and confirm whether Angelini was in fact the champion at BKB. He will most likely be fighting at the already stacked 155lbs division.
Sajad Ghari
‘The Iranian Hulk’ caught the social media’s world’s attention due to his Hulk-like physique
and constant requests to join the WWE, however it was BKFC who gave him an opportunity to showcase his fighting skills in the USA. The 340lbs bodybuilder is set to debut sometime in 2021 according to the boss David Feldman.
Haim Gozali
The Bellator MMA fighter from Israel Haim Gozali has also signed with BKFC and is set to debut right away in Florida on the BKFC 16 card. The BJJ blackbelt will once again put himself through new challenges and this time the biggest of his career. President Feldman also announced Gozali will be working together with BKFC to bring the show to Israel still in 2021.
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