September 21, 2022 8: 00 am ET
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship keeps rolling into new territories.
Although bare-knuckle boxing’s origins run centuries, it’s one of the newest combat sports when it comes to regulation – and it’s still illegal in many states.
As of this coming Oct. 2, BKFC will have touched down in 10 U.S. states, as well as a handful of foreign countries. Tuesday, the promotion made state No. 11 official. BKFC 31 will take place Oct. 15 at 1STBANK Center in Broomfield, Colo. and stream on BKFC+.
Among the announced fights are six MMA notables, four from the UFC and two from Bellator. Scroll below to see which familiar faces are on the card and check out the full lineup of announced bouts at the bottom.
Chris Camozzi
Chris Camozzi
Age: 35
UFC record: 9-10
Bare-knuckle record: 0-0
BKFC 31 matchup: 200 pounds vs. Bubba McDaniel (0-0)
Since his UFC departure… Chris Camozzi bounced around promotions before he landed in the 2021 PFL season. He went 2-1 that season with back-to-back wins over Cezar Ferreira and Cory Hendricks after an initial loss to Emiliano Sordi. He has not competed since August 2021.
Josh Copeland
Mar 14, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Josh Copeland (blue) before fighting Jared Rosholt (red) in a heavyweight bout during UFC 185 at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Age: 39
UFC record: 0-2
Bare-knuckle record: 0-0
BKFC 31 matchup: 205 pounds vs. Levi Costa (0-0)
Since his UFC departure… Josh Copeland competed consistently from 2015-2019. He fought Blagoy Ivanov in an instant classic for the World Series of Fighting title in 2016. After that defeat, he won four straight bouts and punched his ticket into the 2018 PFL season where he went 2-1-1 en route to the $1 million championship. Copeland was finished by Philipe Lins with strikes in Round 4. After a May 2019 assault arrest and plea agreement, Copeland was released from PFL. He most recently competed in December 2019 when he lost a bout for Russian promotion RCC.
Brandon Girtz
Brandon Girtz
Age: 37
Bellator record: 8-8
Bare-knuckle record: 0-0
BKFC 31 matchup: 165 pounds vs. Jake Lindsey (2-0)
Since his Bellator departure… Brandon Girtz has yet to make his return to combat sports competition. His last Bellator bout took place in October 2020 and he hasn’t competed since.
Jake Lindsey
Mar 13, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Jake Lindsey stands on the scale during weigh-ins for UFC 185 at Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Age: 36
UFC record: 0-3
Bare-knuckle record: 2-0
BKFC 31 matchup: 165 pounds vs. Brandon Girtz
Since his UFC departure… “The Librarian” Jake Lindsey has gone 6-8 in MMA. He also competed in kickboxing before a recent pivot to bare-knuckle where he’s beaten Eric Thompson and Derrick Findley in the past 14 months.
Bubba McDaniel
Aug 27, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Bubba McDaniel during his fight against Brad Tavares at UFC Fight Night 27 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports
Age: 39
UFC record: 1-2
Bare-knuckle record: 0-0
BKFC 31 matchup: 200 pounds vs. Chris Camozzi (0-0)
Since his UFC departure… Bubba McDaniel has bounced around promotions, weight classes, and combat sports including two wins in three Bellator appearances. He has not competed since a 2020 “deadly conduct” arrest, in which McDaniel was accused of discharging a firearm. McDaniel, whose two-year-old son was allegedly murdered in 2018, later said the discharge was an act to protect himself and his family.
Mike Richman
Age: 37
Bellator record: 7-5
Bare-knuckle record: 3-0
BKFC 31 matchup: 175 pounds vs. Isaac Doolittle (3-0) – main event
Since his Bellator departure… Mike Richman served a two-year suspension for a failed drug test before two losses in LFA. He’s carved out his spot in the world of bare-knuckle boxing with wins over David Rickels, Dakota Cochrane, and Marcel Stamps.
BKFC 31 fight card
Bareknuckle Fighting Championship
The current BKFC 31 lineup includes:
- Mike Richman vs. Isaac Doolittle
- Brandon Girtz vs. Jake Lindsey
- Josh Copeland vs. Levi Costa
- Chris Camozzi vs. Bubba McDaniel
- Cory Madden vs. Christian Torres
- Nolan McGlaughlin vs. Andrew Yates
- Danny O’Connor vs. Van Vo