Dubai, UAE (April 4, 2025) – On a historic evening for combat sports, the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) took a monumental step by hosting BKFC 71 in the United Arab Emirates, featuring two World Titles up for grabs. The stage was set at the fully-packed Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, with fans around the world tuning in live via The BKFC App. This event paved the way for the eagerly anticipated BKFC 72, which would follow suit the next day, broadcasting live on the same platform.
At the center of the action, BKFC Welterweight World Champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout defended his title successfully against the previously unbeaten Carlos Trinidad-Snake. In a closely contested main event, Trout emerged victorious by split decision, marking his fourth win in as many BKFC bouts. The fight was intense, with Trout having to bounce back after being knocked down in the first round. The match was so fiercely fought that it required a rare overtime round to determine the winner when it initially ended in a draw after five rounds. The judges’ scores reflected the battle’s intensity, with two judges favoring Trout, while one sided with Trinidad-Snake.
Reflecting on the encounter, Trout acknowledged the toughness of his opponent, saying, “I expected a real fight, but wow, Carlos really brought it. Hats off to him for pushing me to readjust my strategy. But here I am, still the champ!” Meanwhile, Trinidad-Snake, who proudly represents Omaha, NE, faced his first setback in the BKFC ring, now holding a 6-1 record.
The co-main event witnessed another championship defense as Britain Hart proved her mettle by securing a hard-fought victory over Tai Emery, thereby retaining her BKFC Women’s Strawweight World Title for the fourth time. Hart’s victory not only uplifted her record to an impressive 10-3 but also etched her name alongside Christine “Misfit” Ferea for the most wins in BKFC history among female fighters. Enthusiastic about her achievement, Hart declared, “I’ve shown it time and again; this win solidifies my standing. I’m here for your respect, for your love – that’s my real motivation.”
In the undercard, Jonny “El Toro” Tello made his BKFC debut a memorable one with a thrilling comeback victory over Sabah “The Sleek Sheik” Homasi. On a night that potentially delivered the “Fight of the Year,” Tello turned the tables after losing the first two rounds, securing his win with two crucial knockdowns. “They call me ‘El Toro’ for a reason,” Tello proudly announced after the victory.
The event also saw numerous debutants making a lasting impression. Notably, Geronimo “Mondragon” Dos Santos entered the BKFC heavyweight division with a bang, delivering a first-round knockout against UFC veteran Alexey “The Boa Constrictor” Oleinik in under two minutes. Adel “Kyokushin” Altamimi made his mark by knocking down Spain’s David Mora thrice, ending the match in the third round.
Other highlights included Egypt’s Ahmed Khairy who showed dominance, paving his way to victory with three knockdowns against Leandro Martins. Bulgarian fighter Mladen Iliev, Egyptian Mohamed “Flex” Aly, and Azerbaijan’s Elnur “The Conqueror” Suleymanov also displayed exceptional skill, securing early stoppages in their bouts. In a showcase of explosive starts, Chechnya’s Islam Sizbulatov ended his fight in just 40 seconds, leaving a strong impression on the UAE debutants.
BKFC Founder and President David Feldman and partner Conor McGregor were present, with Feldman expressing his excitement about the growing popularity of combat sports in the Middle East, aspiring to make Dubai its capital. McGregor’s enthusiasm was evident as he lauded the sport’s unique excitement, stating, “From start to finish, this sport is unstoppable.”
These unforgettable matches at BKFC 71 highlighted Dubai’s capacity to host thrilling combat sports while setting the bar high for future events in the region. The fights, filled with raw intensity and exhilarating moments, once again reinforced the unpredictable and electrifying nature that the bare-knuckle sport brings to its audience around the globe.
