BKFC 63 Betting Preview: Britain Hart Wants to Prevent ‘Star’ling From Being Born

July 31, 2024

2 months

Britain Hart may not have reached the top if the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship had been a more established promotion. During her first two fights with the BKFC, she fought for the Police Gazette Women’s Featherweight World Champion. Hart lost both fights, including the second by doctor’s stoppage, to start her BKFC career with a 0-2 record.

But Hart, who is ready to make her third defense of her strawweight championship against Taylor Starling, has developed into one of the top fighters in the promotion. Hart is now 8-3 in her career and hasn’t lost since February 2022.

Starling is moving down in weight in order to find a place that better matches her skill set. She initially had her sights set on featherweight champion Christine Ferea. But Starling couldn’t hang with Ferea, setting off a brief two-fight slide.

Hart, born in Utah, found her way to fighting using a more traditional route. Hart started in gloved boxing and compiled a record of 4-4-3. During her boxing days, Hart’s most notable opponent was Alycia Baumgardner, who would hold world titles in the super featherweight division.

But Starling won her last fight over Jenny Savage and will be full of energy coming into a fight with Hart. The South Dakota crowd should see a strong main event. Hart should find a way to retain her belt.

Bets to consider: Fight not to go the distance, Hart by KO/TKO/DQ

Shewmaker Gets Second Shot at Burns

Josh Burns produced the most memorable victory of his career three years ago. Burns laid out Sam Shewmaker with a right hook in 19 seconds. Since then, his career has been tumultuous.

Burns left the BKFC to fight in the BYB Extreme Fighting Series. The results weren’t good. Burns has lost five straight fights, including three bare-knuckle and two traditional gloved boxing matches. Most recently, by majority decision, Burns lost a traditional boxing match to KeShawn Jackson.

Online boxing news reports that Burns returned to the BKFC hoping to recharge his career. Life hasn’t been great for Shewmaker, either. He has lost four straight fights, including three in the BKFC and once in traditional boxing.

Burns will get back on track in this heavyweight affair. Life hasn’t been good for Burns over the past few years, but another victory should have helped regain his confidence.

Bets to consider: Burns by KO, Under 1.5 rounds

Dyer Hopes Actually to Get an Opportunity to Finish a Fight

Josh Dyer would like to get his feet underneath him. The No. 2 ranked light heavyweight hasn’t been able to gain any real traction, partly because his opponents keep fouling him.

Dyer’s last two fights ended in no contests. His fight with Joe Riggs ended with an accidental headbutt, while his battle with Jared Warren ended with a strike to the back. Dyer’s next fight will be against William Albrecht, who is 1-0 in the BKFC.

Albrecht was a regular on the MMA scene for a long time. Anyone looking at the boxing news latest headlines will know this is a good test for Albrecht to see where his skills stack up.

Dyer is a dangerous puncher who has had a poor run of luck. Fighting Albrecht should allow him to regain his confidence and get back in the win column.

Bets to consider: Dyer by KO/TKO/D, fight to not go the distance

Joseph Creer Trying to Build Up His Reputation

Joseph Creer has said many times that fighting is his life. Since he landed at the BKFC over the past year, Creer has found a lot of success. After losing his first fight in BKFC to Avery Duke Sensley, Creer bounced back with back-to-back wins.

Creer will attempt to make it three in a row against Bryant Acheson. During Creer’s combat sports career, Creer has competed professionally in MMA and Muay Thai. Having a nice balance among several disciplines has set him up to challenge his opponents successfully.

Acheson has been out of action in the BKFC for three years. He debuted with a win over Josh Watson in October 2021. It’s hard to know how the time off will impact Acheson.

Bets to consider: Creer ML, Fight to not go the distance

Robert Armas Wants to Break the Pattern

Robert Armas is in the worst kind of pattern a fighter can find themselves in. He has been active with BKFC but is stuck in a cycle. He has traded losses and wins since he debuted in mid-2022.

Armas lost his debut and has alternated losses and wins since then. Most recently, Armas came up short against Dylan Schulte in May. Armas’ opponent, Jack Grady, has also had his fair share of struggles. Grady has lost two of his first three fights with the promotion.

Bets to consider: Armas win by decision

Watson Wants to Protect Rank

You can’t sleep on any opponent at heavyweight. Letting your guard down in one fight could lead to a disaster. Josh Watson, who is ranked No. 3 at heavyweight, last left a strong impression in BKFC fans’ minds when he knocked out former NFL star and UFC veteran Greg Hardy.

Watson is 2-1 so far in the BKFC. During Watson’s time in combat sports, he built his background with success in MMA. He was 7-4 as a professional. Watson will have to try to prevent Reuben Roundstone from grabbing his first win.

Roundstone also finished with more wins than losses during his professional MMA career. However, Roundstone wasn’t able to string together a high amount of wins.

Bets to consider: Watson by KO

Here’s a look at the rest of the fights on the card not mentioned above: