Author:

Josh Copeland and Ben Rothwell clash at BKFC 41: Perry vs. Rockhold on April 29th.

The fistic fireworks broadcast on the BKFC TV App and Fite TV with the main card kicking off at 9 PM Eastern time.

Copeland spoke to Dylan Bowker of Bare Knuckle News before the fight. Excerpts from the chat can be found below.

Josh Copeland

You were initially slated to fight on April 29th against Steve Herelius. When did you get word that Ben Rothwell would be the opponent?

“Well, so they originally gave me Steve weeks ago. I’d probably say eight to ten weeks ago. Then probably about three-four weeks into that, my manager hit me up, asking if I would fight Ben Rothwell. I said absolutely and I’d say that probably went on for about two weeks thinking that I was in on that. Then they wound up going in a different direction of course with (Josh) Watson. So I was back on with Steve.”

Josh Copeland continued, “Then last Tuesday night, my manager Brian Butler hit me up and said hey, Ben Rothwell’s opponent pulled out. What do you think about fighting Ben? I said let’s do it. So he asked where my weight was. I was 255 pounds. I usually like to come in around 245 or 250. But yeah, they said if I want the fight, I got to get up to 270. So instead of dropping another five-ten pounds, I am gaining. So here we go, I’m eating away.”

Is this a can’t pass-up sort of opportunity considering Rothwell’s deep MMA pedigree and how he has become a hotly discussed name in bare-knuckle after his emphatic BKFC debut?

“Correct. Yeah, that’s; to me, I’m 40 years old now. I know I’ve still got some fight left in me but I don’t want to waste my time fighting nobodies. I know that I can compete with some of the best in the world and I do it all the time. I just; yeah, I want to fight some big names and let’s see what I can do.”

BKFC 41

Your BKFC debut was in Denver and this sophomore bare-knuckle bout is in the same arena. How much is that an exciting component for you to be coming back to compete there?

“Yeah, that was huge. I love being able to fight here. It was cool just to see all the fans and all the support I had.”

Josh Copeland continued, “It’s always a catch twenty-two though, right? Don’t get me wrong, you always have pressure on you. No matter where you’re at, people are watching. But being able to fight in your hometown and especially being able to come away with a knockout, it’s just cool for me to be able to give back to all my friends and family. Put on a good show. All the people that have been there from day one supporting me, it’s cool to put smiles on their faces.”

BKFC

How much of your path is oriented to climbing a title contender hierarchy considering you’re taking on a top five ranked heavyweight here versus taking on big tests against known names?

“Still feeling good but I know that my window of opportunity is getting smaller and smaller. So hey, I would love to be able to climb these ranks and go get that belt of course. So that’s the goal and man, I’d just love the opportunity. When I heard that bare-knuckle was coming back to Denver, I reached out to my manager. I got the text and it was probably twelve weeks ago saying hey, just because I know bare knuckle told my manager hey, with a win or two, that could set Josh up for a title shot.”

Josh Copeland continued, “Well I know if it’s another win, I’m going to have to beat a big name or two. Give me a Levi Costa, then a Steve Herelius, then fight the big name, and then go for the belt. So when I messaged my manager, I asked him hey, what are your thoughts of me getting set up with Ben Rothwell or Greg Hardy to see if we can get that title shot after this? That was my intentions from the very beginning and yeah, hey it wound up coming through. So I’m excited.”

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship

Rothwell’s BKFC debut was incredibly violent and succinct. It didn’t seem like much to make inferences on game plan-wise but what were your main takeaways from his bare-knuckle performance?

“Well, same thing. It was over so quick. You know, Ben did a good job of staying long and using his reach. Throwing good, hard, fast combinations and the other guy couldn’t take it. So in saying that, I just know I move different than anyone else. So that’s the confidence I’ve got going into this.”

“The way I like to fight is based off of footwork, timing, and angles. When I first started MMA, I never wanted to be just the heavyweight that stood in front of someone and hope mine lands first. To me that’s anyone’s game, just standing toe to toe and swinging from the hips. The moral of the story is like not always the best fighter wins either.”

Josh Copeland continued, “So I just like to instead of just taking the chance and hoping mine lands first, I like to set things up and move. Create angles and set my shots up versus just throwing big long combinations and yeah, bullrushing.”

The post Josh Copeland Looks to Achieve Title Shot With Ben Rothwell Win at BKFC 41 appeared first on Bare Knuckle News.

Josh Copeland and Ben Rothwell clash at BKFC 41: Perry vs. Rockhold on April 29th.

The fistic fireworks broadcast on the BKFC TV App and Fite TV with the main card kicking off at 9 PM Eastern time.

Copeland spoke to Dylan Bowker of Bare Knuckle News before the fight. Excerpts from the chat can be found below.

Josh Copeland

You were initially slated to fight on April 29th against Steve Herelius. When did you get word that Ben Rothwell would be the opponent?

“Well, so they originally gave me Steve weeks ago. I’d probably say eight to ten weeks ago. Then probably about three-four weeks into that, my manager hit me up, asking if I would fight Ben Rothwell. I said absolutely and I’d say that probably went on for about two weeks thinking that I was in on that. Then they wound up going in a different direction of course with (Josh) Watson. So I was back on with Steve.”

Josh Copeland continued, “Then last Tuesday night, my manager Brian Butler hit me up and said hey, Ben Rothwell’s opponent pulled out. What do you think about fighting Ben? I said let’s do it. So he asked where my weight was. I was 255 pounds. I usually like to come in around 245 or 250. But yeah, they said if I want the fight, I got to get up to 270. So instead of dropping another five-ten pounds, I am gaining. So here we go, I’m eating away.”

Is this a can’t pass-up sort of opportunity considering Rothwell’s deep MMA pedigree and how he has become a hotly discussed name in bare-knuckle after his emphatic BKFC debut?

“Correct. Yeah, that’s; to me, I’m 40 years old now. I know I’ve still got some fight left in me but I don’t want to waste my time fighting nobodies. I know that I can compete with some of the best in the world and I do it all the time. I just; yeah, I want to fight some big names and let’s see what I can do.”

BKFC 41

Your BKFC debut was in Denver and this sophomore bare-knuckle bout is in the same arena. How much is that an exciting component for you to be coming back to compete there?

“Yeah, that was huge. I love being able to fight here. It was cool just to see all the fans and all the support I had.”

Josh Copeland continued, “It’s always a catch twenty-two though, right? Don’t get me wrong, you always have pressure on you. No matter where you’re at, people are watching. But being able to fight in your hometown and especially being able to come away with a knockout, it’s just cool for me to be able to give back to all my friends and family. Put on a good show. All the people that have been there from day one supporting me, it’s cool to put smiles on their faces.”

BKFC

How much of your path is oriented to climbing a title contender hierarchy considering you’re taking on a top five ranked heavyweight here versus taking on big tests against known names?

“Still feeling good but I know that my window of opportunity is getting smaller and smaller. So hey, I would love to be able to climb these ranks and go get that belt of course. So that’s the goal and man, I’d just love the opportunity. When I heard that bare-knuckle was coming back to Denver, I reached out to my manager. I got the text and it was probably twelve weeks ago saying hey, just because I know bare knuckle told my manager hey, with a win or two, that could set Josh up for a title shot.”

Josh Copeland continued, “Well I know if it’s another win, I’m going to have to beat a big name or two. Give me a Levi Costa, then a Steve Herelius, then fight the big name, and then go for the belt. So when I messaged my manager, I asked him hey, what are your thoughts of me getting set up with Ben Rothwell or Greg Hardy to see if we can get that title shot after this? That was my intentions from the very beginning and yeah, hey it wound up coming through. So I’m excited.”

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship

Rothwell’s BKFC debut was incredibly violent and succinct. It didn’t seem like much to make inferences on game plan-wise but what were your main takeaways from his bare-knuckle performance?

“Well, same thing. It was over so quick. You know, Ben did a good job of staying long and using his reach. Throwing good, hard, fast combinations and the other guy couldn’t take it. So in saying that, I just know I move different than anyone else. So that’s the confidence I’ve got going into this.”

“The way I like to fight is based off of footwork, timing, and angles. When I first started MMA, I never wanted to be just the heavyweight that stood in front of someone and hope mine lands first. To me that’s anyone’s game, just standing toe to toe and swinging from the hips. The moral of the story is like not always the best fighter wins either.”

Josh Copeland continued, “So I just like to instead of just taking the chance and hoping mine lands first, I like to set things up and move. Create angles and set my shots up versus just throwing big long combinations and yeah, bullrushing.”

The post Josh Copeland Looks to Achieve Title Shot With Ben Rothwell Win at BKFC 41 appeared first on Bare Knuckle News.

Josh Copeland and Ben Rothwell clash at BKFC 41: Perry vs. Rockhold on April 29th.

The fistic fireworks broadcast on the BKFC TV App and Fite TV with the main card kicking off at 9 PM Eastern time.

Copeland spoke to Dylan Bowker of Bare Knuckle News before the fight. Excerpts from the chat can be found below.

Josh Copeland

You were initially slated to fight on April 29th against Steve Herelius. When did you get word that Ben Rothwell would be the opponent?

“Well, so they originally gave me Steve weeks ago. I’d probably say eight to ten weeks ago. Then probably about three-four weeks into that, my manager hit me up, asking if I would fight Ben Rothwell. I said absolutely and I’d say that probably went on for about two weeks thinking that I was in on that. Then they wound up going in a different direction of course with (Josh) Watson. So I was back on with Steve.”

Josh Copeland continued, “Then last Tuesday night, my manager Brian Butler hit me up and said hey, Ben Rothwell’s opponent pulled out. What do you think about fighting Ben? I said let’s do it. So he asked where my weight was. I was 255 pounds. I usually like to come in around 245 or 250. But yeah, they said if I want the fight, I got to get up to 270. So instead of dropping another five-ten pounds, I am gaining. So here we go, I’m eating away.”

Is this a can’t pass-up sort of opportunity considering Rothwell’s deep MMA pedigree and how he has become a hotly discussed name in bare-knuckle after his emphatic BKFC debut?

“Correct. Yeah, that’s; to me, I’m 40 years old now. I know I’ve still got some fight left in me but I don’t want to waste my time fighting nobodies. I know that I can compete with some of the best in the world and I do it all the time. I just; yeah, I want to fight some big names and let’s see what I can do.”

BKFC 41

Your BKFC debut was in Denver and this sophomore bare-knuckle bout is in the same arena. How much is that an exciting component for you to be coming back to compete there?

“Yeah, that was huge. I love being able to fight here. It was cool just to see all the fans and all the support I had.”

Josh Copeland continued, “It’s always a catch twenty-two though, right? Don’t get me wrong, you always have pressure on you. No matter where you’re at, people are watching. But being able to fight in your hometown and especially being able to come away with a knockout, it’s just cool for me to be able to give back to all my friends and family. Put on a good show. All the people that have been there from day one supporting me, it’s cool to put smiles on their faces.”

BKFC

How much of your path is oriented to climbing a title contender hierarchy considering you’re taking on a top five ranked heavyweight here versus taking on big tests against known names?

“Still feeling good but I know that my window of opportunity is getting smaller and smaller. So hey, I would love to be able to climb these ranks and go get that belt of course. So that’s the goal and man, I’d just love the opportunity. When I heard that bare-knuckle was coming back to Denver, I reached out to my manager. I got the text and it was probably twelve weeks ago saying hey, just because I know bare knuckle told my manager hey, with a win or two, that could set Josh up for a title shot.”

Josh Copeland continued, “Well I know if it’s another win, I’m going to have to beat a big name or two. Give me a Levi Costa, then a Steve Herelius, then fight the big name, and then go for the belt. So when I messaged my manager, I asked him hey, what are your thoughts of me getting set up with Ben Rothwell or Greg Hardy to see if we can get that title shot after this? That was my intentions from the very beginning and yeah, hey it wound up coming through. So I’m excited.”

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship

Rothwell’s BKFC debut was incredibly violent and succinct. It didn’t seem like much to make inferences on game plan-wise but what were your main takeaways from his bare-knuckle performance?

“Well, same thing. It was over so quick. You know, Ben did a good job of staying long and using his reach. Throwing good, hard, fast combinations and the other guy couldn’t take it. So in saying that, I just know I move different than anyone else. So that’s the confidence I’ve got going into this.”

“The way I like to fight is based off of footwork, timing, and angles. When I first started MMA, I never wanted to be just the heavyweight that stood in front of someone and hope mine lands first. To me that’s anyone’s game, just standing toe to toe and swinging from the hips. The moral of the story is like not always the best fighter wins either.”

Josh Copeland continued, “So I just like to instead of just taking the chance and hoping mine lands first, I like to set things up and move. Create angles and set my shots up versus just throwing big long combinations and yeah, bullrushing.”

The post Josh Copeland Looks to Achieve Title Shot With Ben Rothwell Win at BKFC 41 appeared first on Bare Knuckle News.

Eddie Alvarez tests skills with Chad Mendes at BKFC 41: Perry vs. Rockhold on April 29th.

The fistic fireworks broadcast on the BKFC TV App and Fite TV with the main card kicking off at 9 PM Eastern time.

Alvarez spoke with Dylan Bowker of Bare Knuckle News and excerpts from the pre-fight chat are below.

Eddie Alvarez

This is really one of those fights that just jumps off a poster. What was the temperament when this forum fantasy matchup offer came your way? I imagine you were quite excited.

“Yeah, I like that. You know, Chad’s always been a beast all throughout MMA. Even up until he retired, he still was going against the best guys in the world. So yeah, he’s a lot like myself where he didn’t take on any small-time competition. He fought the best guys in his division, went after them. Whether he came up short or whether he won, he fought the best guys and his path was honest. Well, somewhat honest.”

Eddie Alvarez continued, “So I like his fights, I like his fight style, and even better, I think we match up even better in a bare-knuckle match than we do in MMA. I think it’s more appealing to the fans. Cuts out all the lulls, all the stalling, and we get right down to action.”

Considering your early street fighting days in Kensington, will this be the most capably violent Eddie Alvarez we’ve ever seen?

“Yeah like a lot of people were like hey, so this is your first bare-knuckle fight. Yeah, I guess. The first one I’ve got paid for (laughs). I mean this is how I started my career. This is why like I joined fighting period because I just kind of did really well in street fights. I never lost a street fight in my entire life. I believed that at a certain age, I couldn’t be beat in a fight.”

Eddie Alvarez continued, “From 19 all the way up until I was undefeated 10-0 in MMA. I just; I think I had this delusion, I don’t know what you want to call it, but I just felt like I couldn’t lose in a fight period. Without gloves on my entire life, I hadn’t lost a fight. I’ve lost MMA fights, I’ve lost wrestling matches, but I’ve never lost in a bare-knuckle fight ever in my life.”

BKFC 41

Is the enthusiasm such for bare-knuckle that if you string together some strong wins, maybe a title in BKFC could be a defined goal?

“Why not? (laughs). I say all the time like I don’t really make plans. I said plans are for schemers. I’m not a schemer, so. I never truly planned on fist-fighting for twenty years and we’re going on our second decade pretty soon now. This year, it’ll be twenty years fighting. I started this sport when I was 19 years old. When I was 19, I wouldn’t tell you that I was going to end up fighting for a lifetime. I never damn sure would tell you I’d win all the world titles I have, made a career out of it, and millions of dollars.”

“I stopped making plans a long time ago. I just wake up, put my head down, and work hard. Let the lord make my plans for me. So I couldn’t tell you like I have this plan schemed out and this is what I’m doing, that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to fight Chad Mendes April 29th. I have every intention on putting my hand through Chad’s head and then moving on to the next opponent. The bigger and better, bigger money fights. That’s the only intention. That’s the only plan I can give to you right now.”

BKFC

Some of the language that you’re using seems to indicate you’re seeing a finish in this one. Do you have a particular idea of how you see the story of this fight unfurling?

“Anybody who watches Chad and watches myself I mean like if you were to say this fight is going to go to a final bell, I don’t know. Maybe you’ve never watched us fight before. But the sparring that I’m putting in now. I’ve seen what Chad’s worked on, I’ve seen what he’s doing, and what he’s capable of, you’d be a fool to think that this thing is going to go past any more than like six minutes. I think six minutes would be a long time for this fight to go.”

“I think it should get hashed out fairly quickly within the first three rounds. I don’t think if I land a shot on Chad he’s going to be able to stand it. He has hard shots himself. So I’m going to stay in there until my dying breath. I don’t know, I’m a big guy at 165. 165 is my premier weight class.”

Eddie Alvarez continued, “It’s where I’m the largest, I’m the fastest, and that’s my weight class. I don’t know if I could be any better. So it’s going to be difficult not just for Chad. No offense against Chad but against anybody in the world at 165, I’m going to be a really bad, terrible problem to deal with.”

The post Eddie Alvarez: “In There Until My Dying Breath” vs Chad Mendes at BKFC 41 appeared first on Bare Knuckle News.

Eddie Alvarez tests skills with Chad Mendes at BKFC 41: Perry vs. Rockhold on April 29th.

The fistic fireworks broadcast on the BKFC TV App and Fite TV with the main card kicking off at 9 PM Eastern time.

Alvarez spoke with Dylan Bowker of Bare Knuckle News and excerpts from the pre-fight chat are below.

Eddie Alvarez

This is really one of those fights that just jumps off a poster. What was the temperament when this forum fantasy matchup offer came your way? I imagine you were quite excited.

“Yeah, I like that. You know, Chad’s always been a beast all throughout MMA. Even up until he retired, he still was going against the best guys in the world. So yeah, he’s a lot like myself where he didn’t take on any small-time competition. He fought the best guys in his division, went after them. Whether he came up short or whether he won, he fought the best guys and his path was honest. Well, somewhat honest.”

Eddie Alvarez continued, “So I like his fights, I like his fight style, and even better, I think we match up even better in a bare-knuckle match than we do in MMA. I think it’s more appealing to the fans. Cuts out all the lulls, all the stalling, and we get right down to action.”

Considering your early street fighting days in Kensington, will this be the most capably violent Eddie Alvarez we’ve ever seen?

“Yeah like a lot of people were like hey, so this is your first bare-knuckle fight. Yeah, I guess. The first one I’ve got paid for (laughs). I mean this is how I started my career. This is why like I joined fighting period because I just kind of did really well in street fights. I never lost a street fight in my entire life. I believed that at a certain age, I couldn’t be beat in a fight.”

Eddie Alvarez continued, “From 19 all the way up until I was undefeated 10-0 in MMA. I just; I think I had this delusion, I don’t know what you want to call it, but I just felt like I couldn’t lose in a fight period. Without gloves on my entire life, I hadn’t lost a fight. I’ve lost MMA fights, I’ve lost wrestling matches, but I’ve never lost in a bare-knuckle fight ever in my life.”

BKFC 41

Is the enthusiasm such for bare-knuckle that if you string together some strong wins, maybe a title in BKFC could be a defined goal?

“Why not? (laughs). I say all the time like I don’t really make plans. I said plans are for schemers. I’m not a schemer, so. I never truly planned on fist-fighting for twenty years and we’re going on our second decade pretty soon now. This year, it’ll be twenty years fighting. I started this sport when I was 19 years old. When I was 19, I wouldn’t tell you that I was going to end up fighting for a lifetime. I never damn sure would tell you I’d win all the world titles I have, made a career out of it, and millions of dollars.”

“I stopped making plans a long time ago. I just wake up, put my head down, and work hard. Let the lord make my plans for me. So I couldn’t tell you like I have this plan schemed out and this is what I’m doing, that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to fight Chad Mendes April 29th. I have every intention on putting my hand through Chad’s head and then moving on to the next opponent. The bigger and better, bigger money fights. That’s the only intention. That’s the only plan I can give to you right now.”

BKFC

Some of the language that you’re using seems to indicate you’re seeing a finish in this one. Do you have a particular idea of how you see the story of this fight unfurling?

“Anybody who watches Chad and watches myself I mean like if you were to say this fight is going to go to a final bell, I don’t know. Maybe you’ve never watched us fight before. But the sparring that I’m putting in now. I’ve seen what Chad’s worked on, I’ve seen what he’s doing, and what he’s capable of, you’d be a fool to think that this thing is going to go past any more than like six minutes. I think six minutes would be a long time for this fight to go.”

“I think it should get hashed out fairly quickly within the first three rounds. I don’t think if I land a shot on Chad he’s going to be able to stand it. He has hard shots himself. So I’m going to stay in there until my dying breath. I don’t know, I’m a big guy at 165. 165 is my premier weight class.”

Eddie Alvarez continued, “It’s where I’m the largest, I’m the fastest, and that’s my weight class. I don’t know if I could be any better. So it’s going to be difficult not just for Chad. No offense against Chad but against anybody in the world at 165, I’m going to be a really bad, terrible problem to deal with.”

The post Eddie Alvarez: “In There Until My Dying Breath” vs Chad Mendes at BKFC 41 appeared first on Bare Knuckle News.

Eddie Alvarez tests skills with Chad Mendes at BKFC 41: Perry vs. Rockhold on April 29th.

The fistic fireworks broadcast on the BKFC TV App and Fite TV with the main card kicking off at 9 PM Eastern time.

Alvarez spoke with Dylan Bowker of Bare Knuckle News and excerpts from the pre-fight chat are below.

Eddie Alvarez

This is really one of those fights that just jumps off a poster. What was the temperament when this forum fantasy matchup offer came your way? I imagine you were quite excited.

“Yeah, I like that. You know, Chad’s always been a beast all throughout MMA. Even up until he retired, he still was going against the best guys in the world. So yeah, he’s a lot like myself where he didn’t take on any small-time competition. He fought the best guys in his division, went after them. Whether he came up short or whether he won, he fought the best guys and his path was honest. Well, somewhat honest.”

Eddie Alvarez continued, “So I like his fights, I like his fight style, and even better, I think we match up even better in a bare-knuckle match than we do in MMA. I think it’s more appealing to the fans. Cuts out all the lulls, all the stalling, and we get right down to action.”

Considering your early street fighting days in Kensington, will this be the most capably violent Eddie Alvarez we’ve ever seen?

“Yeah like a lot of people were like hey, so this is your first bare-knuckle fight. Yeah, I guess. The first one I’ve got paid for (laughs). I mean this is how I started my career. This is why like I joined fighting period because I just kind of did really well in street fights. I never lost a street fight in my entire life. I believed that at a certain age, I couldn’t be beat in a fight.”

Eddie Alvarez continued, “From 19 all the way up until I was undefeated 10-0 in MMA. I just; I think I had this delusion, I don’t know what you want to call it, but I just felt like I couldn’t lose in a fight period. Without gloves on my entire life, I hadn’t lost a fight. I’ve lost MMA fights, I’ve lost wrestling matches, but I’ve never lost in a bare-knuckle fight ever in my life.”

BKFC 41

Is the enthusiasm such for bare-knuckle that if you string together some strong wins, maybe a title in BKFC could be a defined goal?

“Why not? (laughs). I say all the time like I don’t really make plans. I said plans are for schemers. I’m not a schemer, so. I never truly planned on fist-fighting for twenty years and we’re going on our second decade pretty soon now. This year, it’ll be twenty years fighting. I started this sport when I was 19 years old. When I was 19, I wouldn’t tell you that I was going to end up fighting for a lifetime. I never damn sure would tell you I’d win all the world titles I have, made a career out of it, and millions of dollars.”

“I stopped making plans a long time ago. I just wake up, put my head down, and work hard. Let the lord make my plans for me. So I couldn’t tell you like I have this plan schemed out and this is what I’m doing, that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to fight Chad Mendes April 29th. I have every intention on putting my hand through Chad’s head and then moving on to the next opponent. The bigger and better, bigger money fights. That’s the only intention. That’s the only plan I can give to you right now.”

BKFC

Some of the language that you’re using seems to indicate you’re seeing a finish in this one. Do you have a particular idea of how you see the story of this fight unfurling?

“Anybody who watches Chad and watches myself I mean like if you were to say this fight is going to go to a final bell, I don’t know. Maybe you’ve never watched us fight before. But the sparring that I’m putting in now. I’ve seen what Chad’s worked on, I’ve seen what he’s doing, and what he’s capable of, you’d be a fool to think that this thing is going to go past any more than like six minutes. I think six minutes would be a long time for this fight to go.”

“I think it should get hashed out fairly quickly within the first three rounds. I don’t think if I land a shot on Chad he’s going to be able to stand it. He has hard shots himself. So I’m going to stay in there until my dying breath. I don’t know, I’m a big guy at 165. 165 is my premier weight class.”

Eddie Alvarez continued, “It’s where I’m the largest, I’m the fastest, and that’s my weight class. I don’t know if I could be any better. So it’s going to be difficult not just for Chad. No offense against Chad but against anybody in the world at 165, I’m going to be a really bad, terrible problem to deal with.”

The post Eddie Alvarez: “In There Until My Dying Breath” vs Chad Mendes at BKFC 41 appeared first on Bare Knuckle News.

Eddie Alvarez tests skills with Chad Mendes at BKFC 41: Perry vs. Rockhold on April 29th.

The fistic fireworks broadcast on the BKFC TV App and Fite TV with the main card kicking off at 9 PM Eastern time.

Alvarez spoke with Dylan Bowker of Bare Knuckle News and excerpts from the pre-fight chat are below.

Eddie Alvarez

This is really one of those fights that just jumps off a poster. What was the temperament when this forum fantasy matchup offer came your way? I imagine you were quite excited.

“Yeah, I like that. You know, Chad’s always been a beast all throughout MMA. Even up until he retired, he still was going against the best guys in the world. So yeah, he’s a lot like myself where he didn’t take on any small-time competition. He fought the best guys in his division, went after them. Whether he came up short or whether he won, he fought the best guys and his path was honest. Well, somewhat honest.”

Eddie Alvarez continued, “So I like his fights, I like his fight style, and even better, I think we match up even better in a bare-knuckle match than we do in MMA. I think it’s more appealing to the fans. Cuts out all the lulls, all the stalling, and we get right down to action.”

Considering your early street fighting days in Kensington, will this be the most capably violent Eddie Alvarez we’ve ever seen?

“Yeah like a lot of people were like hey, so this is your first bare-knuckle fight. Yeah, I guess. The first one I’ve got paid for (laughs). I mean this is how I started my career. This is why like I joined fighting period because I just kind of did really well in street fights. I never lost a street fight in my entire life. I believed that at a certain age, I couldn’t be beat in a fight.”

Eddie Alvarez continued, “From 19 all the way up until I was undefeated 10-0 in MMA. I just; I think I had this delusion, I don’t know what you want to call it, but I just felt like I couldn’t lose in a fight period. Without gloves on my entire life, I hadn’t lost a fight. I’ve lost MMA fights, I’ve lost wrestling matches, but I’ve never lost in a bare-knuckle fight ever in my life.”

BKFC 41

Is the enthusiasm such for bare-knuckle that if you string together some strong wins, maybe a title in BKFC could be a defined goal?

“Why not? (laughs). I say all the time like I don’t really make plans. I said plans are for schemers. I’m not a schemer, so. I never truly planned on fist-fighting for twenty years and we’re going on our second decade pretty soon now. This year, it’ll be twenty years fighting. I started this sport when I was 19 years old. When I was 19, I wouldn’t tell you that I was going to end up fighting for a lifetime. I never damn sure would tell you I’d win all the world titles I have, made a career out of it, and millions of dollars.”

“I stopped making plans a long time ago. I just wake up, put my head down, and work hard. Let the lord make my plans for me. So I couldn’t tell you like I have this plan schemed out and this is what I’m doing, that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to fight Chad Mendes April 29th. I have every intention on putting my hand through Chad’s head and then moving on to the next opponent. The bigger and better, bigger money fights. That’s the only intention. That’s the only plan I can give to you right now.”

BKFC

Some of the language that you’re using seems to indicate you’re seeing a finish in this one. Do you have a particular idea of how you see the story of this fight unfurling?

“Anybody who watches Chad and watches myself I mean like if you were to say this fight is going to go to a final bell, I don’t know. Maybe you’ve never watched us fight before. But the sparring that I’m putting in now. I’ve seen what Chad’s worked on, I’ve seen what he’s doing, and what he’s capable of, you’d be a fool to think that this thing is going to go past any more than like six minutes. I think six minutes would be a long time for this fight to go.”

“I think it should get hashed out fairly quickly within the first three rounds. I don’t think if I land a shot on Chad he’s going to be able to stand it. He has hard shots himself. So I’m going to stay in there until my dying breath. I don’t know, I’m a big guy at 165. 165 is my premier weight class.”

Eddie Alvarez continued, “It’s where I’m the largest, I’m the fastest, and that’s my weight class. I don’t know if I could be any better. So it’s going to be difficult not just for Chad. No offense against Chad but against anybody in the world at 165, I’m going to be a really bad, terrible problem to deal with.”

The post Eddie Alvarez: “In There Until My Dying Breath” vs Chad Mendes at BKFC 41 appeared first on Bare Knuckle News.

Eddie Alvarez tests skills with Chad Mendes at BKFC 41: Perry vs. Rockhold on April 29th.

The fistic fireworks broadcast on the BKFC TV App and Fite TV with the main card kicking off at 9 PM Eastern time.

Alvarez spoke with Dylan Bowker of Bare Knuckle News and excerpts from the pre-fight chat are below.

Eddie Alvarez

This is really one of those fights that just jumps off a poster. What was the temperament when this forum fantasy matchup offer came your way? I imagine you were quite excited.

“Yeah, I like that. You know, Chad’s always been a beast all throughout MMA. Even up until he retired, he still was going against the best guys in the world. So yeah, he’s a lot like myself where he didn’t take on any small-time competition. He fought the best guys in his division, went after them. Whether he came up short or whether he won, he fought the best guys and his path was honest. Well, somewhat honest.”

Eddie Alvarez continued, “So I like his fights, I like his fight style, and even better, I think we match up even better in a bare-knuckle match than we do in MMA. I think it’s more appealing to the fans. Cuts out all the lulls, all the stalling, and we get right down to action.”

Considering your early street fighting days in Kensington, will this be the most capably violent Eddie Alvarez we’ve ever seen?

“Yeah like a lot of people were like hey, so this is your first bare-knuckle fight. Yeah, I guess. The first one I’ve got paid for (laughs). I mean this is how I started my career. This is why like I joined fighting period because I just kind of did really well in street fights. I never lost a street fight in my entire life. I believed that at a certain age, I couldn’t be beat in a fight.”

Eddie Alvarez continued, “From 19 all the way up until I was undefeated 10-0 in MMA. I just; I think I had this delusion, I don’t know what you want to call it, but I just felt like I couldn’t lose in a fight period. Without gloves on my entire life, I hadn’t lost a fight. I’ve lost MMA fights, I’ve lost wrestling matches, but I’ve never lost in a bare-knuckle fight ever in my life.”

BKFC 41

Is the enthusiasm such for bare-knuckle that if you string together some strong wins, maybe a title in BKFC could be a defined goal?

“Why not? (laughs). I say all the time like I don’t really make plans. I said plans are for schemers. I’m not a schemer, so. I never truly planned on fist-fighting for twenty years and we’re going on our second decade pretty soon now. This year, it’ll be twenty years fighting. I started this sport when I was 19 years old. When I was 19, I wouldn’t tell you that I was going to end up fighting for a lifetime. I never damn sure would tell you I’d win all the world titles I have, made a career out of it, and millions of dollars.”

“I stopped making plans a long time ago. I just wake up, put my head down, and work hard. Let the lord make my plans for me. So I couldn’t tell you like I have this plan schemed out and this is what I’m doing, that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to fight Chad Mendes April 29th. I have every intention on putting my hand through Chad’s head and then moving on to the next opponent. The bigger and better, bigger money fights. That’s the only intention. That’s the only plan I can give to you right now.”

BKFC

Some of the language that you’re using seems to indicate you’re seeing a finish in this one. Do you have a particular idea of how you see the story of this fight unfurling?

“Anybody who watches Chad and watches myself I mean like if you were to say this fight is going to go to a final bell, I don’t know. Maybe you’ve never watched us fight before. But the sparring that I’m putting in now. I’ve seen what Chad’s worked on, I’ve seen what he’s doing, and what he’s capable of, you’d be a fool to think that this thing is going to go past any more than like six minutes. I think six minutes would be a long time for this fight to go.”

“I think it should get hashed out fairly quickly within the first three rounds. I don’t think if I land a shot on Chad he’s going to be able to stand it. He has hard shots himself. So I’m going to stay in there until my dying breath. I don’t know, I’m a big guy at 165. 165 is my premier weight class.”

Eddie Alvarez continued, “It’s where I’m the largest, I’m the fastest, and that’s my weight class. I don’t know if I could be any better. So it’s going to be difficult not just for Chad. No offense against Chad but against anybody in the world at 165, I’m going to be a really bad, terrible problem to deal with.”

The post Eddie Alvarez: “In There Until My Dying Breath” vs Chad Mendes at BKFC 41 appeared first on Bare Knuckle News.

Eddie Alvarez tests skills with Chad Mendes at BKFC 41: Perry vs. Rockhold on April 29th.

The fistic fireworks broadcast on the BKFC TV App and Fite TV with the main card kicking off at 9 PM Eastern time.

Alvarez spoke with Dylan Bowker of Bare Knuckle News and excerpts from the pre-fight chat are below.

Eddie Alvarez

This is really one of those fights that just jumps off a poster. What was the temperament when this forum fantasy matchup offer came your way? I imagine you were quite excited.

“Yeah, I like that. You know, Chad’s always been a beast all throughout MMA. Even up until he retired, he still was going against the best guys in the world. So yeah, he’s a lot like myself where he didn’t take on any small-time competition. He fought the best guys in his division, went after them. Whether he came up short or whether he won, he fought the best guys and his path was honest. Well, somewhat honest.”

Eddie Alvarez continued, “So I like his fights, I like his fight style, and even better, I think we match up even better in a bare-knuckle match than we do in MMA. I think it’s more appealing to the fans. Cuts out all the lulls, all the stalling, and we get right down to action.”

Considering your early street fighting days in Kensington, will this be the most capably violent Eddie Alvarez we’ve ever seen?

“Yeah like a lot of people were like hey, so this is your first bare-knuckle fight. Yeah, I guess. The first one I’ve got paid for (laughs). I mean this is how I started my career. This is why like I joined fighting period because I just kind of did really well in street fights. I never lost a street fight in my entire life. I believed that at a certain age, I couldn’t be beat in a fight.”

Eddie Alvarez continued, “From 19 all the way up until I was undefeated 10-0 in MMA. I just; I think I had this delusion, I don’t know what you want to call it, but I just felt like I couldn’t lose in a fight period. Without gloves on my entire life, I hadn’t lost a fight. I’ve lost MMA fights, I’ve lost wrestling matches, but I’ve never lost in a bare-knuckle fight ever in my life.”

BKFC 41

Is the enthusiasm such for bare-knuckle that if you string together some strong wins, maybe a title in BKFC could be a defined goal?

“Why not? (laughs). I say all the time like I don’t really make plans. I said plans are for schemers. I’m not a schemer, so. I never truly planned on fist-fighting for twenty years and we’re going on our second decade pretty soon now. This year, it’ll be twenty years fighting. I started this sport when I was 19 years old. When I was 19, I wouldn’t tell you that I was going to end up fighting for a lifetime. I never damn sure would tell you I’d win all the world titles I have, made a career out of it, and millions of dollars.”

“I stopped making plans a long time ago. I just wake up, put my head down, and work hard. Let the lord make my plans for me. So I couldn’t tell you like I have this plan schemed out and this is what I’m doing, that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to fight Chad Mendes April 29th. I have every intention on putting my hand through Chad’s head and then moving on to the next opponent. The bigger and better, bigger money fights. That’s the only intention. That’s the only plan I can give to you right now.”

BKFC

Some of the language that you’re using seems to indicate you’re seeing a finish in this one. Do you have a particular idea of how you see the story of this fight unfurling?

“Anybody who watches Chad and watches myself I mean like if you were to say this fight is going to go to a final bell, I don’t know. Maybe you’ve never watched us fight before. But the sparring that I’m putting in now. I’ve seen what Chad’s worked on, I’ve seen what he’s doing, and what he’s capable of, you’d be a fool to think that this thing is going to go past any more than like six minutes. I think six minutes would be a long time for this fight to go.”

“I think it should get hashed out fairly quickly within the first three rounds. I don’t think if I land a shot on Chad he’s going to be able to stand it. He has hard shots himself. So I’m going to stay in there until my dying breath. I don’t know, I’m a big guy at 165. 165 is my premier weight class.”

Eddie Alvarez continued, “It’s where I’m the largest, I’m the fastest, and that’s my weight class. I don’t know if I could be any better. So it’s going to be difficult not just for Chad. No offense against Chad but against anybody in the world at 165, I’m going to be a really bad, terrible problem to deal with.”

The post Eddie Alvarez: “In There Until My Dying Breath” vs Chad Mendes at BKFC 41 appeared first on Bare Knuckle News.

Eddie Alvarez tests skills with Chad Mendes at BKFC 41: Perry vs. Rockhold on April 29th.

The fistic fireworks broadcast on the BKFC TV App and Fite TV with the main card kicking off at 9 PM Eastern time.

Alvarez spoke with Dylan Bowker of Bare Knuckle News and excerpts from the pre-fight chat are below.

Eddie Alvarez

This is really one of those fights that just jumps off a poster. What was the temperament when this forum fantasy matchup offer came your way? I imagine you were quite excited.

“Yeah, I like that. You know, Chad’s always been a beast all throughout MMA. Even up until he retired, he still was going against the best guys in the world. So yeah, he’s a lot like myself where he didn’t take on any small-time competition. He fought the best guys in his division, went after them. Whether he came up short or whether he won, he fought the best guys and his path was honest. Well, somewhat honest.”

Eddie Alvarez continued, “So I like his fights, I like his fight style, and even better, I think we match up even better in a bare-knuckle match than we do in MMA. I think it’s more appealing to the fans. Cuts out all the lulls, all the stalling, and we get right down to action.”

Considering your early street fighting days in Kensington, will this be the most capably violent Eddie Alvarez we’ve ever seen?

“Yeah like a lot of people were like hey, so this is your first bare-knuckle fight. Yeah, I guess. The first one I’ve got paid for (laughs). I mean this is how I started my career. This is why like I joined fighting period because I just kind of did really well in street fights. I never lost a street fight in my entire life. I believed that at a certain age, I couldn’t be beat in a fight.”

Eddie Alvarez continued, “From 19 all the way up until I was undefeated 10-0 in MMA. I just; I think I had this delusion, I don’t know what you want to call it, but I just felt like I couldn’t lose in a fight period. Without gloves on my entire life, I hadn’t lost a fight. I’ve lost MMA fights, I’ve lost wrestling matches, but I’ve never lost in a bare-knuckle fight ever in my life.”

BKFC 41

Is the enthusiasm such for bare-knuckle that if you string together some strong wins, maybe a title in BKFC could be a defined goal?

“Why not? (laughs). I say all the time like I don’t really make plans. I said plans are for schemers. I’m not a schemer, so. I never truly planned on fist-fighting for twenty years and we’re going on our second decade pretty soon now. This year, it’ll be twenty years fighting. I started this sport when I was 19 years old. When I was 19, I wouldn’t tell you that I was going to end up fighting for a lifetime. I never damn sure would tell you I’d win all the world titles I have, made a career out of it, and millions of dollars.”

“I stopped making plans a long time ago. I just wake up, put my head down, and work hard. Let the lord make my plans for me. So I couldn’t tell you like I have this plan schemed out and this is what I’m doing, that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to fight Chad Mendes April 29th. I have every intention on putting my hand through Chad’s head and then moving on to the next opponent. The bigger and better, bigger money fights. That’s the only intention. That’s the only plan I can give to you right now.”

BKFC

Some of the language that you’re using seems to indicate you’re seeing a finish in this one. Do you have a particular idea of how you see the story of this fight unfurling?

“Anybody who watches Chad and watches myself I mean like if you were to say this fight is going to go to a final bell, I don’t know. Maybe you’ve never watched us fight before. But the sparring that I’m putting in now. I’ve seen what Chad’s worked on, I’ve seen what he’s doing, and what he’s capable of, you’d be a fool to think that this thing is going to go past any more than like six minutes. I think six minutes would be a long time for this fight to go.”

“I think it should get hashed out fairly quickly within the first three rounds. I don’t think if I land a shot on Chad he’s going to be able to stand it. He has hard shots himself. So I’m going to stay in there until my dying breath. I don’t know, I’m a big guy at 165. 165 is my premier weight class.”

Eddie Alvarez continued, “It’s where I’m the largest, I’m the fastest, and that’s my weight class. I don’t know if I could be any better. So it’s going to be difficult not just for Chad. No offense against Chad but against anybody in the world at 165, I’m going to be a really bad, terrible problem to deal with.”

The post Eddie Alvarez: “In There Until My Dying Breath” vs Chad Mendes at BKFC 41 appeared first on Bare Knuckle News.