Last week’s article, I previewed the BKFC5 pay per view and gave my picks. I said this had potential to be an exciting card, and it was and then some. Before the show even started, the president of BKFC announced that Paulie Malignaggi would fight in the next ppv in June. He also predicted that in 2020, the organization is hoping to put on at least 18 shows, with the possibility of one being in England. That’s pretty big news since this organization just had its first ppv last June, but enough of that. How were the fights? Very entertaining so let’s dive into them.
To kick off the show, we had Johnny Bedford against
Winner: Johnny Bedford by KO
Next up was a match up between Isaac Vallie-Flagg versus Randy Hederick. This fight pretty much was all Flagg. In the first round, Hederick was constantly back pedaling, but did get a little better in round 2. Unfortunately, in round 3 Hederick got dropped. He beat the count but complained to the ref that he thinks his hand is broken. With that happening, the ref called the fight.
Winner: Isaac Vallie-Flagg by tko
Next fight was a strange fight, and an even stranger announcement after the fight. We had Reggie Barnett versus Rusty Crowder in a lightweight semi final match. Really it was Reggie Barnett versus Forrest Gump because Rusty Crowder had his running shoes on the whole fight. He would throw a punch and just back pedal around the ring. It finally got to the point that the ref took a point away from Crowder. I really thought this would’ve been one of the more entertaining fights on the card. Unfortunately, it was the worse. Needless to say, Barnett won the fight.
Winner: Reggie Barnett by decision.
Then after the fighters left the ring, the ring announcer asked the audience “can I have your attention please? The president of BKFC has a special annoucment.” and O boy did he ever….
That was my first words as well https://t.co/YOWPYfsCXc— Stay Tuned Sports (@STSportsPodcast) April 7, 2019
The president of BKFC isn’t messing around trying to keep it as entertaining as possible.
Up next was a heavy weight tilt between Sam Shewmaker and Chase Sherman. I had Sam Shewmaker going into this fight. Neither guy got knocked out, but was still a fun fight to watch. In the first round, it was a feeling out process between the two. Shewmaker was landing his jab to get his range, same as Sherman. In the second round, both fighters picked up the pace. At the end of that round, I had it 2-0 Shewmaker. The next two rounds, however, Sherman gained ground, making it 2-2 going into the last round. Through four rounds, you had a feeling this was going to be a close call for a winner if it went to decision, which it did. The winner is………
Winner: neither. declared a split draw.
The next fight was for the American Woman’s Feather weight belt between Christine Ferea and Britian Hart. In the first round, it was all Ferea. Powerful punches were landing and just kept pressuring Hart. 2nd round started and Hart picked up the pace while both ladies were swinging for the knockout. Unfortunately for Hart, by doing this left her open for an on slaught by Ferea that left Hart’s left eye bloody and bruised. The fight was stopped due to the injury. With the win, Christine Ferea was named the inaugural 125lb division woman’s champion.
Winner: Christine Ferea by doctor stoppage
The co-main event was next with newly signed fighter Chris Leben making is BKFC debut against Jason Baesman. In my article last week, I was hoping for an old school Leben finish. Boy did I get one. Both guys came out swinging, but once Leben got Beasman up against the ropes, he unleashed a barrage of punches. Leben eventually knocking Beasman down. The ref counted to 10 and Beaseman could not beat the count.
Winner: Chris Leben by KO
Time for the main event. Between the other newly signed fighter Artem Lobov versus Jason Knight. Lobov is known as a brawler when he was in the ufc. There was a lot of talk about a possible Lobov/ Malignaggi even before the Knight fight. So obviously Jason Knight had a lot to be ticked off about going into this fight. Being overlooked and taken lightly. The bell rang and the fighters stood and just swung at each other. Connecting punch after punch. As for the first round, I gave it to Lobov, though. The second round started and Knight refused to back down. He was game for a fight. No he was game for a brawl. Unfortunately, he got knocked down. I gave the 2nd round to Lobov. In the third round, Lobov looked to be getting tired. Both men by this point started to get bloodied and cut up pretty good. Regarding the third and fourth round, I gave both of them to Knight, but the rounds were close the entire fight. In the fifth round, Knight almost finished an exhausted Lobov but went to the score cards.
Winner: Artem Lobov by decision.
So another ppv down and I know they have only held five so far, but this possibly was the best one they have put on yet. Every fight, minus Crowder/Barnett fight, was entertaining. I gained a lot of respect for Jason Knight in the main event. Chris Leben looked like the old Chris Leben. Christine Ferea may have punched a Champ vs Champ match with Bec Rawlings. A lot of good match ups could and should come from this pay per view.
Until next time, this is your good friend Jimbo signing out.
Follow me @jimbostsports and my show @STSportsPodcast
