Fernandez Says BKB More Challenging Than BKFC

Julian Fernandez has fought for both major bare-knuckle promotions and now holds a clear preference. The undefeated BKB super cruiserweight champion says the promotion's compact Trigon format forces more action than BKFC's bigger ring, where fighters have room to retreat.

Fernandez started his gloveless career with BKFC before moving to BKB, where he has stopped every opponent in the first round. Asked about the differences between the two organisations, the former Mexican national boxing champion told Bare Knuckle Bowker through interpreter Mel Valenzuela that the smaller fighting area changes everything.

What Makes BKB Tougher Than BKFC

"When you're fighting for BKB, when you're going in there, you're going to fight. You're going to exchange, you're in the middle," Fernandez said, per BJ Penn dot com. "In BKFC, the ring is bigger. There's more opportunity to run around and kind of dodge some of the fighting."

He added that BKB's three-minute rounds and unique angles require constant mastery. "Managing the angles, learning how to work with them, make them work for you, and the three-minute rounds make BKB more challenging and rewarding at the same time," he explained.

Fernandez defends his title Saturday at BKB 59 in Tijuana against Dan Podmore. Despite six straight first-round finishes, he prepares for the full six-round distance each time. "He prepares hard to finish the fight in the first round, but he can go six rounds if he has to," Valenzuela translated.

The Mexican champion declined to predict how long Podmore will last but said he always has multiple backup plans ready. BKB 59 marks the promotion's first card since shifting its focus to Mexican talent.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — Julian Fernandez finds “BKB more challenging and rewarding” than BKFC, having fought for both