Kai Stewart and Leonardo Perdomo Maintain Dominance at BKFC 87

Hollywood, FL (March 20, 2026) – "King" Kai Stewart cemented his legacy as the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) World Featherweight Champion, achieving an unprecedented sixth title defense at BKFC 87. The event, held on Friday night at a sold-out Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, FL, showcased thrilling bare-knuckle action.

Stewart, a native of Great Falls, MT, secured his championship with a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over the previously unbeaten Nico "The Iron" Gaffie, who was ranked #3 in the BKFC featherweight division. Two judges scored the contest 49-46, while the third judge scored it 48-47, all in favor of the undisputed World Champion.

Following his impressive triumph, Stewart confidently declared in his post-fight interview, "I am the King of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. I’m the best bare knuckle fighter in the world. I’m going to continue to get better, I’m going to continue to grow, and I’m going to continue repping the most exciting sport in the world as the King!”

This victory extends Stewart's perfect record in the Squared Circle to 9-0. Gaffie, the inaugural BKFC European Featherweight Champion from Marbella, Spain, now holds a 3-1 record under the BKFC banner.

Stewart now stands in an elite class, joining Christine “Misfit” Ferea and Luis “Baboon” Palomino as the only fighters to achieve six BKFC World Title defenses.

In the evening's Co-Main Event, the undefeated Cuban heavyweight sensation Leonardo “El Zambo” Perdomo continued his devastating run, improving his record to 11-0 with his tenth first-round finish. His latest opponent, UFC veteran Rashad “Daywalker” Coulter, was dispatched by the Miami-based fighter in just 67 seconds. Coulter entered the fight with a bare-knuckle record of 2-1.

Perdomo, the #1 ranked contender in the BKFC heavyweight division, wasted no time challenging current BKFC World Heavyweight Champion Andrei “The Pitbull” Arlovski during a fiery face-off in the center of the ring. "Arlovski, where are you? Come at me, boy! Don’t be scared. Come on, papi. (The belt) is mine. It’s mine, and everybody knows it!”

Earlier, in the Featured Fight, Cuban-born Miami fighter Bryan “El Gallo” Duran delivered a spectacular performance, needing only 19 seconds to overwhelm Derek “Rage” Perez. Duran, a former BKFC World Featherweight Title challenger and the #5 ranked contender, now boasts an 8-1-1 record. Perez, hailing from Belem, NM, now stands at 4-5.

Duran reasserted his championship aspirations in his post-fight interview: “I apologize for letting you guys down (in my first BKFC title fight against Stewart). But I promise you that when I fight for the belt again, I’m bringing it home to Miami!”

Highlights from BKFC Founder/President David Feldman’s Post-Event Press Conference:

• Fight of the Night: Kai Stewart vs. Nico Gaffie
• Knockout of the Night: Bryan Duran
• Performance of the Night: Jancarlos Rivera

Commenting on BKFC 87, Feldman observed, “We asked the guys to come fight, and they came to fight tonight. This was the liveliest crowd we’ve had in a long time. The energy out there was amazing. It was a great night; I’m very, very happy with the event.”

Regarding Kai Stewart’s future, Feldman stated, “We have to think about what’s next. What do the fans want? I’m always with what the fans want. It’s not always about the rankings. If the fans don’t want it and don’t enjoy it … I’ve got to give the fans what they want.”

Praising Leonardo Perdomo’s performance, Feldman commented, “He came in in great shape and got the first-round knockout. I think this was the most devastating he’s looked. His punches were shorter and he came out and scored a really, really great knockout against a tough veteran.”

In other notable bouts, Anderson, IN strawweight Shelby “Boom Boom” Cannon secured the biggest win of her career by defeating the previously unbeaten Rosalinda “Venom” Rodriguez via split decision. Cannon's record now stands at 2-1, while Fort Lauderdale, FL’s Rodriguez, formerly ranked #4 in the BKFC women’s flyweight division, falls to 3-1.

Miami’s Leo “Lionheart” Carrera earned a light-heavyweight victory over UFC veteran Sabah “Sleek Sheik” Homasi, who was disqualified in the second round for an illegal spinning back fist at 1:06. Carrera’s record improves to 3-2, while Homasi, from Coconut Creek, FL, is now 1-2.

Johannesburg, South African cruiserweight Jeremy “Pitbull” Smith emerged victorious in a highly anticipated rematch against former BKFC World Middleweight Title challenger Donald Sanchez, winning by split decision. Smith's record is now 4-3, holding a 2-0 advantage over Sanchez. Sanchez, from Albuquerque, NM, now 4-3, announced his retirement shortly after the fight.

Charleston, SC’s Roberto “El Gallo Negro” Armas delivered a powerful performance in his tenth BKFC bout, halting the rise of the previously undefeated AJ “The Biggest” Rodriguez in bantamweight action. Rodriguez’s corner called a stop to the bout at the conclusion of the third round. Armas now holds a 5-5 record following his stoppage victory, while the Venezuelan-born Miami product Rodriguez drops to 3-1.

Unbeaten Fort Myers, FL bantamweight Jancarlos “Baby Hulk” Rivera stormed to a 3-0 record with a first-round stoppage of Samuel “Ace O’ Spades” Samples in their bantamweight showdown. Rivera showcased resilience, recovering from an early knockdown to secure the stoppage with just one second remaining in the opening round, marking his second consecutive first-round finish. Samples, from Madison County, GA, now stands at 3-5.

Clewiston, FL product Chris “Dynamite” Garcia cruised to a 6-1 record with a second-round stoppage victory over Chancey “Supaflyy” Wilson, marking his second straight stoppage win. Garcia landed a pair of knockdowns before the contest was halted 19 seconds into the second round. Wilson, representing Wichita, KS, is now 3-6 under the BKFC banner.

With BKFC Women’s World Strawweight Champion Britain Hart in his corner, Broward County, FL’s Chino Blume secured a hard-fought split-decision victory over Alex “The Rhino” Davis in heavyweight action. Two judges scored the fight 30-27 for Blume, while one judge had it 30-27 for Davis. Blume’s record is now 2-2, boasting back-to-back wins. Davis, from Coal Mountain, WV, is now 1-3.

Cuban-born Miami fighter Ernesto “Las Manos Benditas” Suarez confidently advanced to a 2-0 record under the BKFC banner, sending “Slick” Vic Flor to the canvas three times in the opening round of their bantamweight matchup. The fight was stopped with four seconds left in the first round, marking Suarez’s second consecutive first-round finish. Flor, from Broward County, FL, was making his BKFC debut.

BKFC 87 Main Card Results:

• (C) Kai Stewart defeated Nico Gaffie via Unanimous Decision (49-46x2, 48-47) – Successfully defended BKFC World Featherweight Title
• Leonardo Perdomo defeated Rashad Coulter via TKO in Round 1 (1:07)
• Bryan Duran defeated Derek Perez via TKO in Round 1 (0:19)
• Shelby Cannon defeated Rosalinda Venom Rodriguez via Split Decision (48-46, 46-49, 49-45)
• Leo Carrera defeated Sabah Homasi via Disqualification in Round 2 (1:06)
• Jeremy Smith defeated Donald Sanchez via Split Decision (48-47x2, 47-48)
• Roberto Armas defeated AJ Rodriguez via TKO in Round 3 (2:00)
• Jancarlos Rivera defeated Samuel Samples via TKO in Round 1 (1:59)
• Chris Garcia defeated Chancey Wilson via TKO in Round 2 (0:19)
• Chino Blume defeated Alex Davis via Split Decision (30-27x2, 27-30)
• Ernesto Suarez defeated Vic Flor via TKO in Round 1 (1:56)