UFC icon and BKFC heavyweight champ Andrei Arlovski to face Leonardo Perdomo at KnuckleMania, confirmed by David Feldman

Andrei Arlovski and Leonardo Perdomo have long been linked to a potential fight against one another. 

In the aftermath of Perdomo's most recent bare-knuckle boxing matchup -- a terrifying 14-second knockout victory at BKFC 93 Hollywood -- the aforementioned dream fight has been made official.

BKFC founder and president David Feldman announced that reigning BKFC heavyweight champion Arlovski will defend his title against Perdomo next, even revealing which city would host the clash. 

Leonardo Perdomo scores scary 14-second KO win over Bear Hill at BKFC 93 Hollywood amid talks of Andrei Arlovski heavyweight title fight

Leonardo Perdomo took his record in the sport of bare-knuckle boxing to 12-0, headlining BKFC 93 Hollywood at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, on September 11. "El Zambo" was initially booked to fight Anthony Garrett at the event, but Garrett withdrew, which led to Bear Hill taking the matchup on short notice. 

Hill, who is himself regarded as a tough and fearsome heavyweight, was on the receiving end of a vicious knockout at BKFC 93 Hollywood. Perdomo unleashed a pair of powerful left hooks that knocked the American fighter against the ropes and to the mat. With "The Last Barbarian" unable to continue, the fight was waved off at the 14-second mark. 

Perdomo, a BKFC staple who's long been campaigning for a title shot against BKFC heavyweight titleholder Andrei Arlovski, was granted his wish after his spectacular stoppage win. 

Watch Leonardo Perdomo's chilling knockout of Bear Hill below: 

14 SECONDS!! YOU CAN NOT DENY EL ZAMBO IS THE CUBAN TYSON! #BKFC93 | Presented by @BuckedUp https://t.co/eRvCf1OC4K

— Bare Knuckle FC (@bareknucklefc) September 12, 2026

BKFC president David Feldman confirms Andrei Arlovski vs. Leonardo Perdomo heavyweight title fight for KnuckleMania in Miami

Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski is beheld as one of the greatest heavyweights to have ever competed in the sport of MMA. "The Pitbull" boasts the record for the most wins in UFC heavyweight fights (23). His second UFC run came to a close in 2024, and he's since tried his hand at Dirty Boxing and professional boxing as well. Moreover, his venture into bare-knuckle boxing in the BKFC has piqued fan interest. 

Arlovski competed in his maiden bare-knuckle boxing match last year, scoring a TKO win over fellow MMA veteran Josh Copeland inside the BKFC's famed Squared Circle. The Belarusian-American's next, and latest, matchup witnessed him dethrone UFC alum and then-BKFC heavyweight titlist Ben Rothwell by way of third-round TKO at BKFC KnuckleMania VI in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, back in February of this year. Arlovski thereby captured the BKFC heavyweight belt, which he still possesses. 

Coming to the here and now, Arlovski is set to face a new opponent, which many believe could be one of the most dangerous fighters in all of combat sports, namely Cuba's Leonardo Perdomo.

Addressing fight fans after Perdomo's win over Bear Hill at BKFC 93 Hollywood, BKFC head honcho David Feldman confirmed Arlovski vs. Perdomo. He also alluded to this month's highly anticipated BKFC 94 Manchester clash between Darren Till and Yoel Romero. 

Expressing his elation over the BKFC 93 Hollywood card that transpired on Friday, Feldman appeared to acknowledge the significant fanbase of Cuban heritage in Miami. Displaying his respect for Cuba's fighters, including the legendary Yoel Romero, he stated: 

"I mean, look, man, BKFC loves Miami. It loves its Cuban fighters. I mean, we've got one of the best heavyweights in the world here tonight. We've got Yoel Romero flying over to the UK to take on Darren Till in two weeks. This is just incredible. It's been an incredible night." 

The boxer-turned-promoter added, "I just wanna say a few things. 17 f**king sellouts in a row, right here! Let's go!" 

Furthermore, alluding to Perdomo's callouts of Arlovski, Feldman indicated that their BKFC heavyweight title fight would transpire at the next edition of BKFC KnuckleMania. 

Feldman asserted, "And the answer is -- absolutely, one hundred percent, yes. We love Miami so much that we are bringing KnuckleMania to Miami this year. And it'll be Leonardo Perdomo vs. Andrei Arlovski for the heavyweight championship. Let's go!" 

The announcement has set the martial arts and combat sports realm abuzz, given the magnitude of the heavyweight title clash between the two archrivals. The exact date for the imminent edition of BKFC KnuckleMania, starring Arlovski and Perdomo, will be revealed in the days to come. 

Watch David Feldman's announcement of Andrei Arlovski vs. Leonardo Perdomo for KnuckleMania below: 

PERDOMO GOT THE WIN, THEN GOT THE FIGHT HE’S BEEN CALLING FOR… ARLOVSKI IS FINALLY NEXT. 👀🔥 #BKFC93 | Watch on BKFC+ https://t.co/52DrnI7OGZ

— Bare Knuckle FC (@bareknucklefc) September 12, 2026