Bare Knuckle FC’s Michigan Debut May Be the Craziest Fights I’ve Ever Seen Live
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship made its long-awaited debut in Michigan on Saturday night, emanating from the beautiful Soaring Eagle Casino in Mount Pleasant. Michigan fighters and fans quickly showed BKFC and promoter David Feldman that this is a state ready to embrace bare-knuckle action—and they did not disappoint.
The first Michigan fighter to make waves on the night was P Dot Parris Boyd, who had a stellar debut and stopped his opponent early in Round 1 in what may have been the best performance of his career. Having called some of his previous MMA fights, I truly felt like this is the sport for him. It was also great to see the Michigan fight community come together, as Boyd trained alongside Mike Hernandez for this bout—and Hernandez would go on to deliver a star-making performance of his own.
Mike “The Hurricane” Hernandez returned to the ring after a seven-year layoff, rejuvenated and fueled by his faith. An 11-4 pro in MMA, Hernandez is no stranger to combat despite the time away. His intensity was undeniable, and the tension between he and his opponent, Castillo, was palpable. Hernandez lived up to his nickname, using in-and-out movement and relentless pressure to overwhelm Castillo, earning a second-round TKO via a nasty cut.
Hernandez stole the show with his emotional post-fight speech, speaking about his journey back to the ring, overcoming addiction, and dedicating the fight to his late father, Raymond Hernandez. The moment even caught the attention of Conor McGregor, who took to social media to say his father’s name and congratulate him on his victory.
Justin “The Nightmare” Street came to fight, citing a quote from Cinderella Man about fighting for milk as his motivation. Street’s counterpunching and composure were key early on, while his opponent’s pressure made it a gritty back-and-forth battle—in my opinion, the fight of the night. Street’s sharp body work down the stretch sealed a unanimous decision victory and showcased a renewed focus in his career.
Eric “El Travieso” Lozano returned to the BKFC ring and unleashed everything but the kitchen sink on Tylor Sijohn, scoring five knockdowns en route to a unanimous decision win. Lozano displayed excellent use of the Thai clinch and dirty boxing in close. After the fight, he called for a top-five opponent next—specifically Jay Jackson—if given a full camp.
Detroit native Joseph Creer also delivered a standout performance, representing the Detroit Lions with pride in his gear. Creer scored a first-round knockdown using the whizzer effectively in the clinch, then added a second knockdown with a vicious right hook before finishing the fight after a third knockdown in Round 2.
Nathan Rivera continued to make waves in the BKFC, displaying clean boxing and explosive power in a statement win over former title challenger Tommy Strydom—breaking Strydom’s jaw in the process. Rivera followed it up with an entertaining post-fight promo, channeling his inner pro wrestler while calling out Edgard Plazaola, accusing him of running from a fight.
And finally, a star was born in blood. Esteban Rodriguez met Zac Cavender in the center of the ring, and the two wasted no time trading heavy shots. Both men were cut, but Rodriguez ended the fight in the first round. Speaking with Knockouts and 3 Counts, Rodriguez declared, “I’m only just getting started, and there’s nothing you can do to stop it.” BKFC President David Feldman echoed that sentiment, saying, “We have a new star in BKFC, and his name is Esteban Rodriguez.” After that performance, Rodriguez may have his sights set on the Cruiserweight title and the upcoming tournament.
Having been around fights for 20 years, I can honestly say that Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship delivers some of the craziest, most intense fights I’ve ever seen live. From the sheer number of finishes to the energy inside the arena, BKFC is a can’t-miss experience.
Thanks to BKFC for having us!
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