BKFC returns to the midwest tonight to host BKFC 23 at the Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas. MMA Sucka brings you live coverage of this event and many more.
In the headliner between two top-five middleweights, hometown hero Dave Rickels takes on Minnesota’s Mike Richman in a title eliminator. Rickels is set for his third BKFC bout, all of which have taken place in his home state of Kansas. The tenured MMA veteran spent nearly eight years with Bellator before making the transition to bare-knuckle in 2020. Since his BKFC career took off, he has been unbeatable, scoring back-to-back victories in a year span. The 33-year-old has shared the MMA cage with the likes of Michael Chandler, Michael Page, and Yaroslav Amosov. He has earned victories in bouts with Saad Awad, Adam Piccolotti, and Davi Ramos. In his his 29 BKFC and pro MMA bouts, he has been to decision 11 times. Rickels has his toughest test to date with BKFC, though, in Richman.
The 36-year-old Richman burst onto the BKFC scene last year, scoring two first-round finishes in five months’ time. Like Rickels, the 26-fight veteran of pro MMA also spent an extended tenure with Bellator. In that span, he faced off with Goiti Yamauchi, Desmond Green, and Eduardo Dantas. He has earned 18 of his 20 pro MMA and bare-knuckle wins by way of finish and has lost inside the distance just once in his career. Richman and Rickels both look to remain unbeaten as members of BKFC tonight. In this high-stakes battle between two warriors, do not blink.
Tonight’s co-main event slot is occupied by ranked light heavyweights, Jared Warren and Issac Doolittle. Tampa, Florida’s Warren makes his fifth walk to the BKFC ring tonight. After going 3-1 in that tenure, all of which ended by knockout, he earned the spotlight to be one of the cards highlighted members. Warren is known for his power punching ability scoring all of his BKFC wins by first-round knockout. After a quick knockout of Scott O’Shaughnessy at BKFC Fight Night: Jackson, he looks to make a statement as the winner of this fight is slated to be the next light heavyweight title challenger.
Kansas’ Doolittle looks to maintain his unbeaten run with BKFC. The 31-year-old earned a decision victory in his last bout over Jay Jackson at BKFC Fight Night: Witchita. After competing in 13 amateur and pro MMA bouts Doolittle decided to transition to bare-knuckle boxing and Muay Thai. After signing to BKFC, he has stood out courtesy of the hot start. As these two heavy hitters go toe-to-toe, it is safe to say the judges may not be needed in this one.
Also on the card are hometown hero and young boxer Marciano Hernandez, Bellator and UFC veteran Jake Lindsey, and the always-game Crystal Pittman.
BKFC 23 Results
Main Card (FITE.tv and BKTV app, 9pm ET/6pm PT)
Mike Richman def. Dave Rickels via TKO at :31 of Round 2.
Issac Doolittle def. Jared Warren via Majority Decision (47-47, 48-46, 48-46).
Jake Lindsey def. Derrick Findley via TKO at 2:00 of Round 4.
Marciano Hernandez def. Jerald Gregori via TKO at :48 of Round 1.
Jessica Link def. Crystal Pittman via Unanimous Decision (50-45, 50-45, 48-47).
Stevo Morris def. LJ Hermreck via Knockout at 1:14 of Round 4.
Tyler Randall def. Josh Richey via Knockout at 1:57 of Round 3.
Antonio Soto III def. Shawn Moffett via TKO at 1:20 of Round 2.
Preliminary Card (BKTV app and BKFC YouTube, 8pm ET/5pm PT)
Chancey Wilson def. Justyn Martinez via TKO at 1:36 of Round 1.
Kenny Licea def. Noah Cutter via Knockout at :30 of Round 2.
Trai Santos vs. Nick Villar ends in a Majority Draw (48-46, 47-47, 47-47).
