Luis Palomino with his sights on the double championship of BKFC

This Saturday, February 19, will be held in Miami, Florida, the largest event in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship: Knucklemania 2with ‘bare fist’ fights, which will feature MMA figures such as Mike Perry and Chad Mendes.

The great lightweight champion and one of the visible faces of the company, the Peruvian Luis “Baboon” Palominowill be defending his belt for the fourth time, when he faces the American Martin Brownalso undefeated under the BKFC label.

Palomino, who has a triumph in MMA against George Masvidalplus two world championship fights vs. UFC contender Justin Gaethjespoke exclusively for the podcast AS Daily Race KOconducted by Álvaro Carrera and Andrés Lichtveld.

This Saturday for the fourth successful defense

2021 was a difficult year for Palomino, who suffered the worst attacks of Covid-19, however, he was able to recover and close the course in style, defeating Dat Nguyen in December to remain world champion. His next opponent is Martin “Trey” Brown, who will do everything in his power to snatch the belt from him, asserting his superiority in size and reach.

“He believes that this sport has something to do with size and strength, but if you don’t do your homework and don’t study, you will fail the exam,” Palomino explained about his opponent. “This man is judging that his size and power is the result of the victory he thinks he will get, and that is not the case. I have fought with bigger people who hit harder, what’s more, I am the biggest fight in his life“.

“He has his distance, size and punch, but It’s like a one trick pony. He bases his entire strategy on Mayweather’s technique, the sholder roll, to load his right hand. It’s dangerous, but we have very good plans for that.”

The champion analyzes Chad Mendes in his debut

One of the most important acquisitions of BKFC in its roster is that of veteran Chad Mendes, who was a superstar in the UFC, with the current mark of most knockouts in featherweights (6), tied with Conor McGregor, whom he faced for an interim title.

After his last victory, Palomino showed his desire to welcome the ex-UFC to BKFC, however, Mendes will be making his debut this Saturday against another rival, Joshua Álvarez. “I see him prepared and strong, although you know that he has been expelled from the UFC for using steroids, that is no secret, it is the truth. If you see him now, he looks like a mannequin“, affirmed the champion. “I don’t care, let him do what he wants, if we’re going to crash, we’re going to crash.”

“Are you ready for this world? Let’s see it. Mendes has fought with figures like Conor McGregor, José Aldo and Frankie Edgar, he has had good battles and a lot of power in his hands“, analyzed the champion. “Chad has an experience, which his rival does not have. I see it’s going to be a win for him, I see it that way, but this is ‘Bare Knuckle,’ and in the bare-knuckle world, you never know what’s going to happen.”

The objective is to be a double champion of Bare Knuckle

Already in the final stage of his career as a fighter, after 40 years of age, Luis Palomino focuses on his legacy. To end an important career in combat sports, he wants to make history and become the company’s first double-champion.

In the crosshairs is Elvin Brito, current welterweight champion, whom he already defeated by unanimous decision in 2020. “I have been asking to fight for the 165-pound belt and now Elvin Brito, the Puerto Rican, has just won it. I respectfully congratulated him and told him that he had earned his revenge on me, but he got emotional,” Palomino confessed. “I respect everyone, but that doesn’t mean we’re friends. We are in an organization where we give each other with clean fists. There is fear and there is no security that he can beat me, that’s the truth.”