It wasn’t the debut Paige VanZant was hoping for at BKFC: Knucklemania, as she lost a decision to Britain Hart.
Paige VanZant’s bare-knuckle debut was spoiled by Britain Hart, as the former UFC strawweight lost a unanimous decision in the main event of BKFC: Knucklemania (49-46 x3).
Unlike some of the wild fights on the card, both women started out fairly measured in their approach. VanZant was landing a few uppercuts and Hart was working the body whilst they clinched against the ropes in the first round. It was Hart getting the better of the exchanges as VanZant seemed to struggle with the range.
After a hard one-two from Hart in the fourth, it was clear VanZant was going to have pull something big out the bag in the fifth round. There was a sense of urgency as “12 Gauge” had her best moments of the fight in the last round, but it was too little, too late.
In the co-main event, Former pro boxer Dat Nguyen defeated Johnny Bedford by unanimous decision to win the BKFC bantamweight title. Bedford, a former UFC veteran, won his first five fights in BKFC but fell short to Nguyen after a back and forth five rounds.
In his last ever fight, former UFC veteran Chris Leben picked up a first round KO win against Quentin Henry. What looked to be an eye poke early in the round turned out to be a legal shot by Leben that instantly swelled the eye of Henry. Both men started to swing heavy leather against the ropes, and Leben landed a two-punch combination that earned him the knockout.
Undercard results
Martin Brown def. Zach Zane via TKO at 1:28 of RD 2
Lorenzo Hunt def. Rob Morrow via KO at 2:00 of RD 4
John Chalbeck def. Greg Bono via KO at 0:20 of RD 3
Taylor Starling def. Charisa Sigala via Unanimous Decision (50-42×2, 49-44)
Dillon Cleckler def. Chris Jensen via KO at 0:24 of RD 1
Charisa Sigala def. Taylor Starling via unanimous decision (50-43 x2, 49-44)
Prelims
Haim Gozali def. John McAllister via KO at 1:08 of RD 2
Travis Thompson def. David Morgan via TKO at 0:22 of RD 2
Jarod Grant def. Brandon Lambert via TKO at 1:11 of RD 3