HOLLYWOOD, Florida – Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship returns to Hard Rock Live on Friday, June 23 with BKFC 45, headlined by a just announced, outstanding lightweight world championship battle between champion and No. 1-ranked pound-for-pound Luis “El Baboon” Palomino (8-0) of Miami and No. 1-ranked world title challenger James “Lights Out” Lilley (7-0-1) of Swansea, Wales.
Tickets, starting at $55, for BKFC 45 are now on sale at BKFC.com. Hard Rock Live is located in the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Doors will open on the night of the event at 6:30 p.m. ET with the first bell at 7 p.m. ET. For more information on Hard Rock Live please visit their website.
BKFC 45 will also be broadcast internationally as part of the BKFC+ subscription for $7.99 per month on the new BKFC app – “The Best Value in Combat Sports” – and is sponsored by Bucked Up, Only Fans, Crescent Tools, LIONS NOT SHEEP and Knockout Gummies.
“Luis Palomino versus James Lilley is one of the very best fights that can be made in international combat sports,” said David Feldman, president and founder of BKFC. “These are the two best bare-knuckle fighters in the lightweight division, both undefeated and both in the primes of their careers. It’s an outstanding matchup and we’re very excited to bring this to our second home, Hard Rock Live.
“This will be a tremendous evening of the world’s best in combat sports and I strongly encourage fans to purchase tickets well in advance as they will move very quickly.”
BKFC 45 is the promotions’ sixth event presented at Hard Rock Live, the previous five all resulting in packed houses at the popular sports and entertainment venue.
A two-division BKFC world champion, Peruvian born Palomino is among the most popular fighters drawing record-setting crowds to his previous fights at Hard Rock Live. Winning the lightweight world title against Isaac Valle-Flagg at BKFC 11, the all-action Palomino has recorded five defenses, most recently against Tom Shoaff at BKFC 34 on December 3, 2022.
His prior title defenses came against Martin Brown (KnuckleMania 2), Dat Nguyen (BKFC 22), Tyler Goodjohn (BKFC 18) and Jim Alers (BKFC 14). Palomino defeated Elvin Brito at BKFC 26 for the BKFC welterweight world championship, however that title is not being contested at BKFC-45.
Since his bare-knuckle debut in 2018, the heavy-handed Lilley has become a can’t miss attraction with stunning knockouts amongst his undefeated record. Most recently the aggressive Welshman knocked out top contender Bobby Taylor in the third round at BKFC 36. Previously he won a dominant decision over Goodjohn at BKFC 27 and knocked out Adam Pellerano in the first round at BKFC Fight Night Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, April 21, 2022.
Additional fights for BKFC 45 will be announced shortly.
