Photo by Phil Lambert for Bare Knuckle FC
Elvin Leon Brito: On a Mission for BKFC Gold
With BKFC 19 in the books, the organization is looking forward to its next event BKFC 20 in Biloxi, Mississippi. One of those faces set to appear in the BKFC ring is one of the organization’s veterans in Elvin Leon Brito. A veteran of bare-knuckle since BKFC 3 in October 2018, Brito just so happened to come across the sport. Now he is absolutely hooked on the sport. Brito is one of the many Goat Combat Agency fighters who are set to compete at BKFC 20.
MMA to Bare-Knuckle
With bare-knuckle fighting in its infancy since its return to combat sports after a 100-year absence, many of BKFC’s top stars have a history in MMA. You can trace Brito’s professional career all the way back to 2009 when he made his debut in the sport. In the world of MMA, Brito shared the cage with the likes of UFC veteran Brok Weaver, Sean Soriano, and Mike “Beast Boy” Davis. After a lengthy stint with Island Fights, which lasted from 2015 to 2018, the opportunity would arise for Brito to compete in bare-knuckle. This changed the trajectory of his combat sports career.
“The opportunity just presented itself. I thought it was a good opportunity to make money doing what I do best. I never thought I would fall in love with it. It’s all I do now,” Brito told MyMMANews. That opportunity presented itself in the form of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. The organization was founded in 2018 by David Feldman. His intent was to bring back bare-knuckle boxing to the United States. With the sanctioning of BKFC 1, it was the first sanctioned bare-knuckle boxing event since 1889.
Bare Knuckle Debut
The sport starting to take the combat world by storm. With that, Brito was given the opportunity to participate on the BKFC 3 card held in Biloxi, Mississippi in October 2018. Though he came into the contest with a six-inch reach disadvantage against hometown favorite, Harris Stephenson, Brito pulled off the spectacular fifth-round knockout. Sporting the old-school bare-knuckle stance, Brito controlled the pace of the action and looked like a fighter who was reborn. Just a handful of seconds into the fifth round saw Brito deliver one of BKFC’s top knockouts, knocking out Stephenson stiff in the fifth round.
Rematch in the Making?
Prior to the current back-to-back winning streak, Brito is enjoying, his last loss came to the hands of the current champion, Luis Palomino. Another win would put Brito directly into the title picture. Set to face Julio Garcia at BKFC 20 on August 20, 2021, a win here could put Brito on that collision course he wants with the champion. “A rematch with Palomino would make sense for both of us when I get that belt. It would be perfect to have it at home in Puerto Rico,” stated Brito. But when it comes to Garcia at BKFC 20, what can the fans expect to see from Brito. Well here it is in his own words. “Fast-paced & effective counterpunching. A style & attitude specifically suited for the BK fighting. I’m the champ!”
