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Bare Knuckle Boxing (BKB) is set to make its historic debut in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday, June 21, as BKB 42: Music City Brawl takes over The Pinnacle (910 Exchange Lane, Nashville, TN 37203). This groundbreaking event marks the first-ever live professional bare knuckle boxing event in Tennessee since the state legalized the sport in March 2025.
In a monumental showcase, eight current or former bare knuckle boxing world champions from across the globe will enter BKB’s patented three-sided ring, the Mighty Trigon—the smallest fighting surface in combat sports, promising nonstop, high-octane action.
BKB 42 will be broadcast live in the U.S. and Canada on VICE and in the UK and Ireland on talkSPORT. Full streaming details are available at bkbbareknuckle.com/watch.
Main Event: Nelson vs. Liera II – A Grudge Match for the Ages
Headlining the night is one of the most anticipated rematches in BKB history, as two-division world champion Lorawnt-T “Smash” Nelson of South Africa defends his Super Middleweight title against the only man to defeat him, the undefeated Sam “The Caveman” Liera (7-0) from Anaheim, California by way of Mexico.
Their first clash in 2022 was named Bare Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame Match of the Year, with Liera taking home the interim championship in a fight that has since become legendary. Now, the stakes are even higher, and the rivalry more intense.
Co-Main and Featured Bouts
In the co-main event, BKB Welterweight Champion Javon “Wolfman” Wright puts his belt on the line against the dangerous Carlos Guerra (7-2) in what promises to be a battle of styles and wills.
Adding to the excitement is a pivotal Super Lightweight eliminator bout between two reigning champions. Jamie Driver (4-1, 3 KOs), BKB Women’s Welterweight Champion, faces Helen Peralta (3-0, 3 KOs), the undefeated BKB Super Featherweight Champion. The winner earns a title shot against Super Lightweight queen Khortni Kamyron, making this matchup a potential milestone in women’s bare knuckle history.
Another explosive clash sees former BKB Heavyweight Champion and UFC veteran “Hurricane” Ike Villanueva take on the gritty pioneer Eric “Bloodaxe” Olsen, America’s first modern professional bare knuckle fighter.
Croatian BKB Super Cruiserweight Champion Marko Martinjak returns in a non-title Bridgerweight bout against Maurice Morris, promising a hard-hitting international showdown.
Full Fight Card (Subject to Change)
Preliminary Matchups(Live and free on Facebook and YouTube)
Caleb Austin vs. Nate Williams
Devin Wallace vs. Cody Cooper
Main Card
Luis Morales vs. Luis Guerrero
Jarome Hatch vs. Cody East
Marko Martinjak vs. Maurice Morris
Ike Villanueva vs. Eric Olsen
Jamie Driver vs. Helen Peralta
Javon Wright vs. Carlos Guerra
Lorawnt-T Nelson vs. Sam Liera
With world titles on the line, a historic venue, and BKB’s signature Mighty Trigon ring, BKB 42: Music City Brawl is set to deliver an unforgettable night for fight fans and mark a new era for bare knuckle boxing in the U.S.
Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a passion for Combat Sports and also a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s also a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.
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