In a bizarre turn of events at BKFC 62 on Friday night, Alberto “El Indio” Blas won the bantamweight championship via first-round TKO over Keith “The Rockstar” Richardson. After being hurt by a flurry of punches, Richardson began fighting with the referee who stepped in to stop the fight. The MMA Hour’s Ariel Helwani posted a video showing Richardson throwing eight punches at the referee before someone from his corner intervened to separate them. Blas completely dominated in his opportunity to earn BKFC gold, with the stoppage coming just 70 seconds into the fight, adding to his record of first-round stoppages.
The loss was Richardson’s first in his BKFC career, dropping him to 4-1. It is recommended that Richardson takes some time before getting back into the ring or any other combat sports arena as he recovers from the knockout. BKFC has a packed schedule ahead, with events such as Fight Night Pechanga, Hart vs. Starling, Tierney vs. Graham, Lindsey vs. Brito, and Spain featuring Tenaglia vs. Soto. The league has seen a rise in popularity and engagement after welcoming UFC star Conor McGregor as a part-owner, with hopes that McGregor’s involvement will attract a new audience to BKFC.
According to BKFC officials, McGregor is the biggest influencer in all of combat sports and has brought a new level of excitement to the league. McGregor’s willingness to be involved in BKFC’s content, both in front of and behind the camera, is a nod to his down-to-earth personality and allegiance to his roots. McGregor recently drew a crowd at a Bellator event in Dublin, showcasing the potential for increased interest in BKFC due to his involvement. The goal is for McGregor to continue to be a draw for the league and help grow conversations around BKFC beyond the wild scenes seen at the recent event.
The unusual incident involving Richardson’s behavior after the fight has sparked discussion among fans and experts in combat sports. While anything can happen in combat sports, including unexpected reactions from fighters in the midst of intense moments, it is important to focus on the talent and skill showcased by fighters like Blas. Despite the distraction caused by Richardson’s actions, Blas’s performance should be celebrated for his dominant victory and impressive track record of first-round stoppages. As the BKFC schedule continues to unfold and McGregor’s influence grows within the league, fans can look forward to more exciting fights and potential surprises in the world of combat sports.
