BKFC-45: LUIS PALOMINO DEFENDS LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD TITLE AGAINST JAMES LILLEY ON FRIDAY, JUNE 23 AT HARD ROCK LIVE
Hollywood, FL (May 22, 2023) Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, (BKFC), The World’s Fastest Growing Combat Sports Promotion, returns to Hard Rock Live on Friday, June 23 with BKFC-45, headlined by a just announced, outstanding Lightweight World Championship battle between Champion and #1 Ranked Pound-for-Pound Luis ‘El Baboon’ Palomino, (8-0), of Miami, FL and #1 Ranked World Title Challenger James ‘Lights Out’ Lilley, (7-0-1), of Swansea, Wales.
Tickets, starting at $55 for BKFC-45 are Now On-Sale at BKFC.com. Hard Rock Live is located in the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood, FL 33314. Doors will open on the night of the event at 6:30 p.m. ET with the first bell at 7:00 p.m. ET. For more information on Hard Rock Live please visit their website. BKFC-45 will also be broadcast internationally as part of the BKFC+ Subscription for $7.99 per month on the New BKFC App – The Best Value in Combat Sports and is sponsored by Bucked Up, Only Fans, Crescent Tools, LIONS NOT SHEEP and Knockout Gummies.
“Luis Palomino versus James Lilley is one of the very best fights that can be made in international combat sports,” said David Feldman, President and Founder of BKFC. “These are the two best bare-knuckle fighters in the lightweight division, both undefeated and both in the primes of their careers. It’s an outstanding matchup and we’re very excited to bring this to our second home, Hard Rock Live.”
“This will be a tremendous evening of the world’s best in combat sports and I strongly encourage fans to purchase tickets well in advance as they will move very quickly.” BKFC-45 is the promotions’ sixth event presented at Hard Rock Live, the previous five all resulting in packed houses at the popular sports and entertainment venue.
A two-division BKFC World Champion, Peruvian born Palomino is among the most popular fighters drawing record-setting crowds to his previous fights at Hard Rock Live. Winning the Lightweight World Title against Isaac Valle-Flagg at BKFC-11, the all-action Palomino has recorded five defenses, most recently against Tom Shoaff at BKFC-34 on December 3, 2022.
His prior title defenses came against Martin Brown (KnuckleMania 2), Dat Nguyen (BKFC-22),Tyler Goodjohn (BKFC-18) and Jim Alers (BKFC-14). Palomino defeated Elvin Brito at BKFC-26 for the BKFC Welterweight World Championship however that title is not being contested at BKFC-45.
Since his bare-knuckle debut in 2018, the heavy-handed Lilley has become a can’t miss attraction with stunning knockouts amongst his undefeated record. Most recently the aggressive Welshman knocked out top contender Bobby Taylor in the third round at BKFC-36. Previously he won a dominant decision over Tyler Goodjohn at BKFC-27 and knocked out Adam Pellerano in the first round at BKFC Fight Night Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, April 21, 2022.
Additional fights for BKFC-45 will be announced shortly.
Social Media
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
Instagram: @BareKnuckleFC
Twitter: @BareKnuckleFC
Facebook: @BareKnuckleFC
YouTube: @BareKnuckleFightingChampionship
TikTok: @BareKnuckleFC
Website: www.BKFC.com
Media Contact/Credentials
Bernie Bahrmasel
Double B Sports
Phone: + 1 773 592-2986
Email: Bernie@BKFC.com
Twitter: @BernieBahrmasel
About Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC)
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) is the first promotion allowed to hold a legal, sanctioned, and regulated bare knuckle event in the United States since 1889. Based in Philadelphia, and headed by President and former professional boxer David Feldman, BKFC is dedicated to preserving the historical legacy of bare knuckle fighting, while utilizing a specifically created rule set that emphasizes fighter safety. BKFC holds all of its bouts in a revolutionary circular four-rope ring, designed to encourage fast-paced and exciting bouts. The patented BKFC “Squared Circle” contains scratch lines, based on the Broughton Rules which governed bare knuckle fighting in the 19th century, and which requires fighters to “Toe the Line”: start every round face to face, and just inches apart.
In BKFC, only those fighters who are established professionals in boxing, MMA, kickboxing, or Muay Thai are allowed to compete. The referees and judges are required to have extensive professional combat sports experience. All fights are held under the auspices and control of an Athletic Commission. Unlike other fighting organizations and combat sports internationally which claim to be “bare knuckle”, but require wraps, tape, and gauze; BKFC is true to its word as fighters are not allowed to wrap their hands to within one inch of the knuckle. This makes BKFC unquestionably the truest form of bare knuckle fighting. BKFC is dedicated to not just creating the safest, most exciting, and highest-level bare-knuckle fighting organization in the world, it’s also leading the way for a new fully recognized professional combat sport. BKFC is truly the sport of the future, which fully respects its remarkable past.
