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What happens when a former WBA boxing champion takes off his gloves and squares off with a shopworn MMA fighter known for his grappling prowess? It’s a simple question with a simple answer, yet Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) put pen to paper anyway and booked Austin Trout against Diego Sanchez.
The two fought on Friday (Feb. 17, 2023) at BKFC: KnuckleMania 3 inside Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and the result surprised no one. Trout picked apart Sanchez from the first bell, landing numerous counter shots as Sanchez lunged forward. Sanchez landed a couple decent body shots, but mostly, he was beaten up in fairly easy fashion. A fourth round knockdown and numerous cuts prompted the doctor to stop the contest in the fourth round.
Without the blood. He’s looked worse pic.twitter.com/dcVjrfSkYz
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) February 18, 2023
Fight fans weren’t terribly impressed by BKFC’s matchmaking here, and many took to Twitter to voice their concerns. Here’s a sample of the reactions:
Shouldn’t have been sanctioned
Pain …
Diego looked old and slow in there!! Shouldn’t have been there!! Sad to see.
Y’all should be f****** ashamed. Miss me with this BS. Diego’s trauma is on your watch. Remember that.
Why is this happening
you can really see the difference in striking level between a lifelong boxer and an MMA fighter
Initially, there were major concerns that Sanchez wouldn’t be sanctioned to fight, but ultimately, the New Mexico Athletic Commission allowed him to compete. Hopefully, the pay was significant, because “The Nightmare” took a good bit of damage in this one.
Insomnia
Why is Ilia Topuria jumping back to 155 lbs. when he has so much moment at Featherweight? It’s a strange move from the highly talented Spaniard.
| Ilia Topuria has told @WebPositer that he believes his next fight will be in May at lightweight against a ranked opponent.#UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/aqItI8flof
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) February 17, 2023
Shadow boxing in a fancy suit — Conor McGregor is BACK indeed!
The filming of TUF has already begun. pic.twitter.com/MFWmY6dqpC
— FullCombat (@FullCombat_) February 17, 2023
Mike Tyson is not of this world.
At first I didn’t think this was real, but it 100% is and is from Mike Tyson’s autobiography “Undisputed Truth”
— Fight Pics That Go Hard (@fightpicsgohard) February 17, 2023
Is this the type of promotion Logan Paul and KSI were hoping for when they signed a major deal with UFC?
Hydrated by both corners @PrimeHydrate @LoganPaul @ufc @KSI pic.twitter.com/lhXD0dvcEB
— Matt “The Steamrolla”Frevola (@SteamRollaa) February 17, 2023
Would you rather see Francis Ngannou box Deontay Wilder or Tyson Fury? I’m not particularly intrigued by either, but the former sounds like a better match.
Welcome to the free world @BronzeBomber. I hope you are a man of your word. See you soon #NgannouWilder https://t.co/eYmDbRK2Ug
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) February 17, 2023
People are pretty impressed by Henry Cejudo’s stand up skills! Does this mean … Quadruple C?
Henry Cejudo’s Stand Up has never been better. Check out his Comedy Debut on “UFC Comedy Jam” now streaming on UFC FightPass. pic.twitter.com/noUCLmEQ8E
— MMA Roasted (@MMARoasted) February 16, 2023
An update to next weekend’s fight card:
B. St.Denis out. Joe Solecki will now fight Carl Deaton III at #UFCVegas70 on February 25th. (first rep. Deaton FB) #UFC #MMA #UFCESPN #UFC2023 pic.twitter.com/U5LxhggEdP
— Marcel Dorff (@BigMarcel24) February 17, 2023
Slips, rips, and KO clips
It is baffling that 4 oz. glove Muay Thai hasn’t picked up more in the US. It’s so good!
Namphongnoi Sor.Sommai KOs Ploypanlan PK.Saenchai in under a minute at ONE Lumpinee 5 pic.twitter.com/ioWnkQcdza
— Will (@ChillemDafoe) February 17, 2023
This left hook knockout is CLEAN!
OUT COLD pic.twitter.com/CyJj3xQMw0
— Cerebral Vigilante (@Delisketo) February 16, 2023
I’ve never seen a low kick end a fight so soon after a heavy connection. Well, maybe Brent Primus vs. Michael Chandler, but that was a very different situation overall.
Furkhan Karabag with a crazy comeback against Revo!#ONEFridayFights5 pic.twitter.com/bIEMbJ1u1g
— Beyond Kickboxing (@Beyond_Kick) February 17, 2023
Random Land
High level technique.
Midnight Music: Modal jazz, 1965
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.