Fair play or sleazy move?
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 5 continues to provide interesting moments, even when a particular fight ends up being a total dud. A bantamweight fight between Rusty Crowder and Reggie Barnett Jr. went a full and painful five rounds, with Crowder spending a large portion of the bout on his bicycle and getting warned by the ref repeatedly for timidity.
Barnett Jr. was awarded the unanimous decision, and after he had his hand raised something rather unique happened: BKFC president Dave Feldman entered the ring and declared that half of Crowder’s purse was being cut in half because of his performance, with the money going directly to Barnett instead.
This cant be legal?!?! #BKBFC5 pic.twitter.com/5gyMlkRbWo
— ZombieProphet (@GIFsZP) April 7, 2019
”Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship is a new sport and a brand new company and we’re here for action,” Feldman said. “And we want action and we demand action from the fighters. We didn’t get action in that last fight because Rusty Crowder wanted to run. Therefore he’s giving half his purse to Reggie Barnett. Make some noise, Biloxi! This is how we do it at Bare Knuckle, you fight or you don’t get paid.”
It was a rather pro wrestling moment that had combat sports fans feeling a bit conflicted.
they just ganked half of homie’s pay because he was on his bicycle most the fight? #BKFC5 pic.twitter.com/CVEWeGzW7r
— MacMally (@MacMallyMMA) April 7, 2019
Huh….. a bareknuckle boxing fed being total scumbags and shorting fighters who are getting their skulls caved in for our entertainment…. who’d a thunk it? https://t.co/lmnuhu3VyT
— Robert Joyner (@robnashville) April 7, 2019
Though I understand where Dave Feldman is coming from wanting action (building a new promortion/sport), publicly docking pay and shaming a fighter literally minutes after the fight is over is not a great look. #BKFC5
— Trent /T #SongsSavesLives (@TrentTBTEDI) April 7, 2019
Oh holy shit he’s Damon Feldman’s brother? That’s the guy who tried booking a George Zimmerman vs. DMX in a celebrity boxing match. https://t.co/u58N3iRbb6
— Mookie Alexander (@mookiealexander) April 7, 2019
What do you think, Maniacs? Dirty promoter shenanigans or nothing too different from PRIDE’s yellow cards?