Reggie Barnett Jr defeated Travis Thompson by way of a unanimous decision at BKFC 1, on June 2nd 2018.
Barnett Jr spoke to Dylan Bowker of Bare Knuckle News about this landmark event. Excerpts from the chat with the current BKFC bantamweight champion are below.
Reggie Barnett Jr.
What were your initial thoughts when you got a bare-knuckle boxing offer in the Summer of 2018?
“You know when I went to the tryout, I knew hands down that I was one of the best fighters there, you know. I already knew that, it was just a matter of would it actually happen. Would Dave (Feldman) finally get that go-ahead to have an actual bare-knuckle event. When we got that call that it was going down in Wyoming, I was like damn right. It’s go time.”
What was your awareness of the sport of bare-knuckle prior to BKFC and how important was it to interweave yourself into this returning sport that wasn’t transpiring in America for over a century?
“I mean, I didn’t know what I was getting into, man. I just knew that I was going to prepare myself in any way, shape, form possible for whatever was to come.”
“Yeah you know, it was really important to me to be a part of history when I initially started this journey. I told my Dad you know, I was like Dad I’m going to go do bare-knuckle. He was like what, where, what? I was like Dad, I’m going to be a part of history. Our name will forever go down in sports and combat history. Here we are, almost five years removed. I am the only fighter from the original tryout who is still currently active and a current BKFC champion like I knew I would be when I started this.”
BKFC
What was your temperament like on fight day and what was the general atmosphere like among the fighters backstage?
“The best way I could describe this is, me and one of my trainers at the time we were sitting in the dressing room. He goes yo, yo, yo, that’s Johnny Bedford and I was like who? He was like that’s Johnny Bedford, he was on TUF (The Ultimate Fighter). I was like, I have no idea who that is. Then I looked at Johnny, Johnny looked at me, and we gave each other that mutual head nod. I looked back at my coach and I said I’m going to fight him.”
Reggie Barnett Jr continued, “I said me and him are going to fight for the world title. Knew that first time (laughs). Like it just; it was all written. I didn’t know what to expect but I knew that no matter what came my way, I was going to make sure that I was prepared for and ready for to the best of my ability. Whatever I had to deal with inside that squared circle or outside.”
BKFC 1
What was the sensation like landing that first bare-knuckle punch?
“Oh, man, I fell in love with it. That first off the line, bing-bing. I dropped Travis off the line, they never caught that, never got credit for it. But that first knuckle up like I said, changed my life. One of the best moments ever. I knew I was where I needed to be and where I wanted to be. That first bing-bing, one-two off the line set the tone for everything.”
What were the main takeaways from the Travis Thompson performance overall?
“I was still learning, especially that first fight. I broke both my hands. It was either the second or third round, it was a left uppercut, right hook. So I had to learn how to throw punches, where to throw punches, and in that first fight I just kind of went out there with a boxer and I was like imma let these things go (laughs).”
Reggie Barnett Jr. continued, “But as time has gone on I feel like and I stand on it, we have great fighters in this league now. Other great champions but when you look at the aspect of a true bare-knuckle fighter, you know. What a real all-encompassing, well-rounded, tactical bare knuckle fighter is, I am the best one on the planet. That’s how I feel.”
Photo credit: BKFC 1 Tapology page
Reggie Barnett Jr vs Travis Thompson
How does a bare-knuckle strike feel completely different from any strike in the world and what were the physical sensations in the days following BKFC 1?
“I always tell people a good boxing punch can pierce your soul. But a solid bare-knuckle strike can take a slice out of your life. That is the best way I can put it.”
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