Bare-knuckle boxing, by its very nature, carries inherent risks that can lead to dramatic and sometimes shocking outcomes. At BKFC 78, held at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, the co-main event provided a stark and unpleasant reminder of these dangers, culminating in an abrupt stoppage and a controversial ruling.
The bout featured Andrew Strode, looking to maintain his undefeated record within the promotion, against Gee Perez, aiming to extend his own positive run in combat sports. Expectations were high for a competitive and hard-hitting affair between two determined fighters.
The Fight Takes a Gruesome Turn
As the second round of the contest drew to a close, the fight was suddenly halted. The reason became horrifyingly clear: Gee Perez had suffered a severe injury to his left ear.
Reports confirmed that Perez`s ear lobe was significantly damaged, described vividly as `hanging down`. Such an injury, while perhaps sounding like something out of a historical account rather than a modern sporting event, immediately raised serious safety concerns.
Stoppage and a Puzzling Ruling
The severity of the injury left the ringside medical team with no choice. The doctor appropriately stepped in and called a stop to the contest prior to the start of the third round, prioritizing the fighter`s health and safety. This is standard protocol when a competitor is deemed unable to continue safely.
However, the official ruling on the outcome of the fight became the subject of immediate discussion and, for some, bewilderment. Despite the fact that the fight was stopped due to an injury suffered by Perez, which would typically result in a TKO victory for his opponent, Andrew Strode, the Florida Athletic Commission ruled the bout a `No Contest`.
This decision is, to put it mildly, peculiar. A fight ends because a fighter is physically compromised to a severe degree, yet the event is officially categorized as though it never definitively occurred regarding who was gaining the upper hand. One might dryly note that losing a piece of one`s anatomy mid-fight usually suggests a certain degree of disadvantage, but the official record keeper saw it differently, citing commission authority.
Implications for the Fighters
For Gee Perez, the `No Contest` means his unbeaten streak in combat sports technically remains intact, extended now to four contests, including back-to-back positive outcomes in BKFC following a previous loss. He avoids a technical loss despite the stoppage.
For Andrew Strode, the ruling is undoubtedly frustrating. He was in a prime position to secure a victory and continue his ascent in the BKFC ranks, potentially remaining undefeated. Instead, his progress is paused by an outcome that feels less like a definitive result and more like a bureaucratic asterisk, preventing him from logging a clear win after his opponent was medically stopped.
Conclusion
The BKFC 78 co-main event serves as a potent, if somewhat gruesome, reminder of the sheer brutality inherent in bare-knuckle competition. It also highlights the often complex and sometimes counter-intuitive application of athletic commission rules when balancing fighter safety with determining a clear winner and loser. While fighter safety was correctly prioritized, the `No Contest` ruling adds an unusual footnote to an already unforgettable — for all the wrong reasons — night of fights.
