Bare-knuckle boxing, a sport defined by its raw intensity and often brutal outcomes, delivered another stark, albeit unpleasant, reminder of its inherent dangers at BKFC 78. The event, held at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, saw its co-main event between Andrew Strode and Gee Perez conclude under unusual and graphic circumstances.
The bout was prematurely stopped following the second round due to a severe injury sustained by Gee Perez. Ringside medical personnel assessed Perez and determined he was unable to continue due to a significantly damaged ear. Specifically, reports indicated a severed ear lobe, hanging detached, a visual testament to the unforgiving nature of gloveless combat.
Following the ringside doctor`s decision to halt the contest based on the medical assessment, the official ruling from the Florida Athletic Commission was declared a `No Contest.` This outcome prevented Andrew Strode from potentially securing a technical knockout victory, a result many observers might have anticipated given his opponent`s incapacitating injury. The commission`s determination highlights the specific regulatory nuances that can influence fight results, sometimes leading to conclusions that defy common fighting logic.
For Andrew Strode, the `No Contest` means his undefeated record within BKFC remains intact, though without the definitive win he was pursuing in his fourth promotional appearance. Strode had previously secured both stoppage and decision victories in the organization.
Gee Perez, known as “The Cutman,” also sees his overall combat sports unbeaten streak extended to four, despite the lack of a favorable result. Perez entered the contest on the heels of back-to-back BKFC wins, following a prior loss. This stoppage, while injury-induced, doesn`t register as a loss on his record, courtesy of the commission`s ruling.
The incident at BKFC 78 underscores the extreme physical toll that participants in bare-knuckle boxing can endure. While fight stoppages are commonplace, an injury of this nature leading to a `No Contest` rather than a TKO serves as a unique, if somewhat darkly ironic, example of how the rules intersect with the stark reality of combat sports.
