Esteban ‘Mohawk’ Rodriguez strikes gold, Chris Camozzi retires after BKFC 88 main event
Denver, CO (April 17, 2026) – Esteban “Mohawk” Rodriguez defeated Chris Camozzi to win the BKFC Interim Cruiserweight Title in the Main Event of BKFC 88 on Friday night at the sold-out National Western Center in Denver, CO.
The hard-hitting Grand Rapids, MI fighter stopped Camozzi in the fourth round of their hotly anticipated matchup. The time of the knockout was 1:43 of the penultimate round. Rodriguez is now 6-1 under the BKFC banner, with all of his wins coming by stoppage. Camozzi, the former BKFC Cruiserweight World Champion from Denver, is now 4-3.
Rodriguez has his sights set on unifying his title against BKFC Cruiserweight World Champion Alessio “Legionarius” Sakara: “Sakara, come out and play!”
Camozzi announced his retirement in his post-fight interview: “I’d like to go out winning, but either way I’ll go out giving it my all. There’s no other way I’d rather go out than on my shield … This sport has given me so much. Don’t feel bad for me. I feel great, actually. I wanted to go out with a bit of pain so I’d remember it.”
In Friday’s Co-Main Event, surging Denver welterweight Ramiro Figueroa defeated former BKFC World Champion Elvin “El Bandido” Brito via unanimous decision. Figueroa logged the only knockdown of the fight in the opening round, paving the way to the unanimous decision (49-44×2, 48-46). Figueroa is now 5-1 on the strength of three straight wins. The Maunabo, Puerto Rico product Brito is now 7-7 in the Squared Circle.
In Ramiro’s post-fight interview, he took aim at BKFC World Welterweight Champion Dustin “The Disciple” Pague: “I want that title, baby — let’s go! I want the title next.”
BKFC 88 aired LIVE worldwide on The BKFC App.
Billings, MT heavyweight contender Corey “Whatchu Talkin’ About” Willis climbed to 3-1 in Friday’s Feature Fight at the expense of Josh “Cuddly Bear” Copeland. Copeland’s corner called a stop to the fight at the conclusion of the second round due to an apparent arm injury. All of Willis’ three wins have come via stoppage, with his only loss coming against undefeated Cuban heavyweight sensation Leonardo “El Zambo” Perdomo. Copeland, who hails from Denver, is now 2-3.
UFC vet Josh “Big Yinz” Fremd introduced himself in style to BKFC fans with a first-round knockout over Jared Torgenson in the cruiserweight division. Time of the stoppage was 1:32 in the opening frame. Fremd represents Denver. Torgenson, a product of Moses Lake, WA, was also making his BKFC debut.
Undefeated Hudson, FL welterweight Rodney “The Animal” Hinton needed just 22 seconds to roll through Andrew “The Golden Boy” Yates. Hinton is now 3-0, with two of his wins coming in the opening round. Yates, who represents Fruita, CO, is now 3-2.
UFC vet Deron Winn was victorious in his BKFC premiere, stopping Erick “El Travieso” Lozano via technical knockout 47 seconds into the third round of their cruiserweight matchup. Winn hails from Denver. Lozano, a product of Holland, MI, is now 3-6 under the BKFC banner.
With former BKFC Heavyweight World Champion “Big” Ben Rothwell in his corner, unbeaten North Chicago, IL upstart Octavin “Smash” Turner climbed to 2-0 at the expense of Joby “Wan Kenobi” Steffensmeier in the flyweight division. Two judges scored the fight 50-45 and one had it 49-46. Steffensmeier, who represents Davenport, IA, was making his BKFC debut.
“The Devil’s Advocate” Anthony Yost of Pensacola, FL dropped Angelo “The Phenomenal Fighter” Trujillo four times en route to a decision victory in flyweight action. All three judges agreed on the 30-23 verdict for Yost, who climbed to 2-1 with Friday’s win. Yost has now won two straight, while the Grand Junction, CO product Trujillo is winless in his first two trips to the Squared Circle.
Matt “Iron Fist” Maestas reigned supreme in his battle of Denver lightweights against Ruben “The Beast” Arroyo. The standing TKO finish came at 1:54 of the second round. Maestas is now 2-1 under the BKFC banner with back-to-back stoppage victories. Arroyo is now 0-4.
Performances of the Night: Esteban Rodriguez, Josh Fremd
Fight of the Night: Octavin Turner vs. Joby Steffensmeier
BKFC 88 Results
Esteban Rodriguez def. Chris Camozzi via KO in Round 4 (1:43)
Wins vacant BKFC Interim Cruiserweight Title
Ramiro Figueroa def. Elvin Brito via Unanimous Decision (49-44×2, 48-46)
Corey Willis def. Josh Copeland via TKO in Round 2 (2:00)
Josh Fremd def. Jared Torgenson via KO in Round 1 (1:32)
Rodney Hinton def. Andrew Yates via TKO in Round 1 (0:22)
Deron Winn def. Erick Lozano via TKO in Round 3 (0:47)
Octavin Turner def. Joby Steffensmeier via Unanimous Decision (50-45×2, 49-46)
Anthony Yost def. Angelo Trujillo via Unanimous Decision (30-23×3)
Matt Maestas def. Ruben Arroyo via TKO in Round 2 (1:54)
