HOLLYWOOD, Florida – Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship triumphantly returned to Hard Rock Live in for the fifth time with an outstanding 11-bout card, BKFC 38.
Fighting in front of a massive crowd in the action-packed featherweight main event, former BKFC bantamweight world champion Dat “Be Dat” Nguyen (4-1) won a special six-round fight over two-time Bellator featherweight world champion Daniel Straus (0-1).
With bombs away action from the opening round punctuated by both fighters landing powerful body shots, the opening round had the vocal supporters from both camps on their feet at the marquee venue. Straus appeared to win the second stanza capped by his blistering uppercuts to Nguyen’s head.
In the third round, Nguyen was deducted one point for low blows, which surfaced from his aggressive body attack. The fourth was very close and competitive with battering body shots being absorbed by both fighters. Round five was also very close, with power shots landing up to the final bell.
At the end of the five rounds, the fight was declared a draw and for only the third time in BKFC history, a sudden-death sixth round was started to declare a winner. Nguyen showed more effective aggressiveness, winning the round and the fight by unanimous scores of 58-55 and 57-56 twice.
After the fight, Nguyen pronounced that he wanted to face the winner of the Kai Stewart vs. Louie Lopez clash on June 9 for the BKFC featherweight world championship.
Co-featured in the middleweight division, “Brutal” Jake Bostwick (2-2-1), of London, England, and Isaac “The Honey Badger” Doolittle (3-1-1) fought to a majority draw in the fight of the night. Scores were 48-46 for Bostwick and 47-47, twice.
After a first round which saw Bostwick landing the more aggressive punches, Doolittle turned the tables in the second, dropping the native of England to the canvas with an overhand right, which highlighted a ferocious round. The following three rounds saw excellent two-way action, with both fighters surviving hellacious head and body shots to the final bell.
Fighting in the flyweight division, Chance Wilson (3-1) defeated Tyler Randall (2-2), by split decision in a spirited battle. Scores were 49-46 and 48-47 for Wilson, as well as 49-46 for Randall.
In the light heavyweight division, Erick “El Travieso” Lozano, (1-1) scored a massive one-punch knockout of Francesco Ricchi, (5-2), in the first round. Ricchi fell hard to the canvas as the fight was called off at the 0:54 mark of the stanza.
Welterweight Rene “White Boy” Rodriguez (4-2), of Tampa, Florida stopped Mark Johnson (0-1) in the third round. Time of the stoppage was 0:45.
In the bantamweight division, Justin Sanchez (1-0) defeated Gilberto “El Azteca” Aguilar (0-3), by unanimous decision. Scores were 49-46, 49-46 and 48-47.
Gee “The Cutman” Perez (2-0) stayed perfect with a second-round knockout of Joshua Richey. The bout was halted at 0:54 of the round.
In the cruiserweight division, Stephen “Tomahawk” Townsel (3-2) defeated Chris “Golden Gloves” Sarro (2-4) due to a corner stoppage at the end of round two.
Howard Davis (3-1-1) was victorious over Trevor “The Monster” Morris (0-1) in the featherweight division. The corner stoppage came at the end of round three for Morris.
Fighting in the featherweight division, Bovar “The Gladiator” Khanakov (1-0) showed his mettle in a very impressive debut, winning a unanimous decision over Freddy Masabo (2-1). Scores were 50-46, 49-46 and 48-47 in the entertaining fight.
In a battle of bantamweight newcomers, Chris Garcia (1-0) stopped Phillip Ryan Carroll (0-1) after two knockdowns. Time was 0:27 of the third round.
