
Gabriel Gonzaga crushed Big Foot Silva on their bare-knuckle boxing debuts…
Bare-knuckle boxing is really having a moment. Bare-Knuckle Fighting Championships are at the heart of the sport’s rise. In short, it’s slowly establishing itself as a genuine option for veteran MMA fighters and boxers. Artem Lobov v Paulie Malignaggi brought the sport to new levels. Now BKFC wants to push even further.
The promotion wanted to sign Alexander Emelianenko but dropped that because it was a terrible idea. But they have added Wanderlei Silva to their ranks. Meanwhile, Gabriel Gonzaga fought Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva in a clash of two former UFC heavyweights.
Gonzaga is a former UFC champion while Silva fought for the belt against Cain Velasquez. They’re both reasonably well-known, but their best days are definitely long behind them.
Bigfoot Silva vs Gabriel Gonzaga #BKFC8 pic.twitter.com/GzbyKml6WT
— ZombieProphet (@GIFsZP) October 20, 2019
Depressing
This was a depressing match-up, to begin with. Silva hasn’t won a fight since 2015. The former UFC title contender last fought in kickboxing against Rico Verhoeven. Of course, the Dutch champion knocked ‘Bigfoot’ out. In fact, 9 of his last ten fights have ended by KO/TKO. This begs the question, does he really need bare-knuckles smashing his skull?
Meanwhile, Gonzaga’s record isn’t much better. He’s been knocked out in four of his last five MMA fights, with the last defeat coming against Alexander Emelianenko. However, his chin isn’t as demolished as Silva. This made the difference in Tampa.
Gonzaga was able to assert his physicality throughout his fight. An uppercut followed by a left hook ended this fight in the second round. Silva was unable to stand against the former champion. That’s a lot of unnecessary brain damage.
Gabriel Gonzaga KOs Antonio “BigFoot” Silva in the 2nd. #BKFC8 pic.twitter.com/pppv5rFqoi
— mma 21+ ⚉ (@mma21plus) October 20, 2019
Next Up
BKFC look to build on their momentum. Artem Lobov will fight Jason Knight in a rematch of their epic and bloody clash. Meanwhile, Wanderlei Silva is set to fight for the promotion. He’s arguably the biggest former MMA fighter to sign for BKFC. He fought bare-knuckle as a young man.
Silva has called out Vitor Belfort to rematch against him in the squared circle. However, that’s unlikely to happen even though Belfort was in attendance at the event. Belfort is now on the books of BKFC. If you want to make money fighting, then bare-knuckle boxing really seems to be an option these days.
Gustavo Trujillo floors Rob Morrow. #BKFC8 pic.twitter.com/zUOJTcD6tc
— mma 21+ ⚉ (@mma21plus) October 20, 2019
Full Results
For full results for a night of action in Tampa, Florida, see below:
Gabriel Gonzaga def Antonio Silva via KO in round two at 1:50
Jim Alers defeated Julian Lane via TKO in round two at 0:53
Dat Nguyen defeated Travis Thompson via unanimous decision
Abdiel Velazquez defeated Rick Caruso via TKO in round two at 0:11
Lorenzo Hunt defeated Reggie Pena via TKO doctor stoppage at 2:00
Joey Angelo defeated Walber Barros via split decision
Delandy Owen defeated Sheena Star via TKO in round two at 1:01
Dave Mundell defeated Ronnie Forney via TKO in round one at 1:09
Gustavo Trujillo defeated Robert Morrow via KO in round one at 0:35
Jared Warren defeated Brian Maxwell via KO in round one at 1:59
Zach Juusola defeated Fred Pierce via KO in round two at 0:33