BKFC 12: David Feldman happy to have at-least some fans in the building, speaks on Alves debut and PVZ
Interview with David Feldman above
Bare Knuckle FC President David Feldman happy to host memorial for officers and firefighters on September 11th card.
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) has made waves throughout the last year plus. From Paulie Malignaggi fighting Artem Lobov, the signing of Paige VanZant and Thiago Alves and more. Alves is set to make his debut this weekend on September 11th 2020. BKFC 12, in Florida, has the ability to hold a certain capacity of fans, something UFC and Bellator have not been able to do as of yet.
Feldman stated that around 1,100 people will be in the building this weekend. More importantly this card is a memorial to the innocent who lost their lives 19 years ago when terrorists attacked the United States on September 11, 2001. Feldman sat down for an exclusive interview with MyMMANews.
“It’s feel good,” Feldman told MyMMANews on having some fans in attendance. “Hats off to the UFC for being the first back. Us having fans is a feel good moment. Fighters hearing people cheer for them,” Feldman continued. “This also allows fans in, to have a little more normalcy back coming out to an event. Enjoying live entertainment in a safe space. Minimal is better than nothing.”
Feldman continued on the importance of holding this event as a memorial towards those who lost their lives on this date back in 2001.
“I love it,” Feldman told MyMMANews. “We partnered up with the Travis Manion Foundation, supporting the military current and former. Coupled with being able to support the first responders, I know a-lot of police are getting a raw deal for the actions of a couple of bad apples but it doesn’t take away everything that happened on 9/11.”
Feldman also gave MyMMANews and in depth look into the protocols that are going into protecting the fighters, staff and fans in the lead up to this event on Friday. Each fighter is tested before leaving their home, and then again tested on arrival and before fight night. One of those fighters being tested is Thiago Alves, who makes his debut for BKFC this weekend. Feldman is extremely excited to see Alves in the ring.
“He [Alves] trains harder than anybody I know,” Feldman stated. “It’s great to have Thiago on, he is a big part of ATT [American Top Team]. Him and Dan Lambert, the owner, we found out today that ATT is starting a Bare Knuckle boxing division over there. I said ‘holy sh*t that is awesome.’ Looking for big things from Thiago. Julian Lane stepped up to fight, he will come out banging,” Feldman continued. “I don’t think it last long, maybe 2 rounds but it’ll be a war while it lasts.”
Feldman also gave us an update on another major signing for the promotion, super star Paige VanZant’s possible debut in the ring herself.
“It looks like we will have her fight in November,” Feldman told MyMMANews. Her husband [Austin Vanderford] tested positive for Covid, so if she is positive that may be moved to December. We are looking at November 14th timeframe for her to make her debut.”
The President of the ever growing BKFC also wants fans to watch out for some under the radar fights that are being overshadowed by the major main event. Two fights in mind that he believes will blow the minds of fans tuning in.
“Joe Elmore Vs. Tom Shoaff,” Feldman began. “There are two, Elmore Vs. Shoaff and Abdiel Valaquez Vs. Reggie Barnett.”
Check out the full interview above for everything that was touched on in speaking with BKFC president, David Feldman.
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