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| (Image Source: FITE/Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship) |
Bare knuckle fighting will return to England for the first sanctioned fight in 150 years when Bare Knuckle Fight Championship (BKFC) presents the highly anticipated matchup of Michael "Venom" Page (MVP) vs "Platinum" Mike Perry at the OVO Arena Wembley on August 20, 2022. The event also features Paige '12 Gauge' VanZant's fan-demanded return to BKFC vs Charisa ‘Bare-Knuckle Sweetheart' Sigala. BKFC is the fastest growing combat sport promotion in the world and fans around the world can watch BKFC 27 London and other upcoming events on FITE. BKFC President and Founder David Feldman said, "Beyond being the first sanctioned bare knuckle event in London for over 150 years, this is really the first legally sanctioned and regulated bare knuckle fight in London history. And to make our UK debut in the famed Wembley Arena is really something else. The sport all started here in the UK so to bring it home but in a modern way is very exciting."
Page has long been regarded as one of MMA's biggest stars and most vicious strikers. The long-time Bellator standout boasts a nearly spotless professional record of 20-2, including 12 victories by knockout and is 2-0 as a professional boxer, with both wins coming by stoppage. With victories in six different countries and a flashy, one-of-a-kind fighting style, ‘Venom' enters the BKFC squared circle in his home country as an established global superstar. At the press conference officiated by Feldman, BKFC Ambassador and former two-division world champion David ‘Hayemaker' Haye, and longtime combat sports journalist Gareth Davies, Page said, "I'm a walking Rubik's cube and a lot of people are too stupid to work it out. He hits hard but it's only a hard hit if it lands. I come out of fights unscathed. I'm a sniper, I pick my punches. I'm a walking highlight reel. It doesn't matter what I do, I'm going to make noise, I like to make noise." Perry has rapidly developed into a force to be reckoned with in the world of bare-knuckle boxing after his dominant and memorable victory over Julian Lane in his BKFC debut at KnuckleMania 2 on February 19, 2022. Like Page, Perry's standout MMA record is very impressive. The former Ultimate Fighting Championship star has 11 of his 14 victories coming by way of knockout. "I don't want to scare you away MVP. I am grateful for the opportunity to fight you, you have a great name and you've had an awesome career. I am going to break your hands with my forehead. I am going to put pressure on you constantly and there's going to be nothing you can do to get me off you. I am going to be constantly in your face throwing heat," Perry taunted Page at the presser. Feldman added, "This will be one of the biggest fights of the year, MVP versus Platinum Perry is truly a fan's fight! Two guys that come forward and have power in both hands. Thanks to the Bellator Team for helping make this happen!"
Combat Sports Superstar VanZant has shown her true mettle in two previous fights under the BKFC banner, losing hotly contested close decisions to world title challenger Britain Hart and former UFC Star Rachael Ostovich. Also competing in All Elite Wresting, VanZant is a much written about global celebrity with her rumored fight in London already the talk of the tabloids for the past month. Returning to action following an incredible battle against Angela Danzig on March 12, 2022, the fan favorite Sigala, fighting out of Rancho Cucamonga, CA (California), looks for her second victory in bare-knuckle action. In addition to the draw with Danzig, Sigala also holds a dominant victory over Jessica Link. Feldman said, "Paige and Charisa are as tough and talented as they are beautiful which both have shown in their previous fights and we expect fireworks in this one from the opening bell." Adding to the historical weight of this moment, Davies said, "The city of London holds a special place in the history of prizefighting and pugilism. For several hundred years, London was the pinnacle of the prizefighting circuit. If you were a champion in London, you were a champion of the world. Legendary names like Jack Figg and Daniel Mendoza fought their way into the history books in this city. BKFC is bringing the sport back to its spiritual home." Included in the BKFC 27 London main card are welterweight contender Connor ‘Brum Town Bomber' Tierney vs Joe ‘Hitman' Elmore and Mick Terrill vs. Sam ‘The Hillbilly Hammer' Shewmaker.
