Austin Trout Gears Up For Bare Knuckle Clash Against Diego Sanchez on February 17

The Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) officially announced the lightweight clash between the arch rivals; World Boxing Champion Austin ‘No Doubt’ Trout of Las Cruces, NM and UFC Legend Diego ‘The Nightmare’ Sanchez of Albuquerque, NM at KnuckleMania 3 on Friday, February 17th at Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque.

Also, a flyweight clash between local fan favorite John ‘The Magician’ Dodson, (1-0, 1 KO), of Albuquerque, NM and former BKFC World Champion Jarod ‘Kid Gatti’ Grant, (5 -1, 4 KO ) from Pembroke Pines, FL.

The event is headlined by the Unification of the BKFC World Lightweight Championship between public enemies, ‘Double Champ’ Lorenzo ‘The Juggernaut’ Hunt, (8-1-0, 7 KOs), from St. Augustine, Florida and BKFC Interim Lightweight Champion Mike ‘The Marine’ Richman, (4-0-0, 4 KOs), of Rosemount, Minnesota.

“We are planning the biggest night of combat sports in New Mexico history and are beyond excited to announce this interstate battle between two of the biggest stars from this incredible fighting state,” said David Feldman, BKFC President. “Austin and Diego are two of the most successful fighters in New Mexico history and their fight at KnuckleMania 3 is the perfect complement to the BKFC Lightweight World Title clash between Lorenzo Hunt and Mike Richman.”

Born and raised in Las Cruces, New Mexico, Austin Trout has compiled a professional boxing record of 35-5-1 with 18 knockouts during his illustrious career. The southpaw is best known for his WBA Junior Middleweight Championship win over Puerto Rican legend Miguel Cotto on December 1, 2012 at Madison Square Garden. The dominant victory was followed by a decision loss to Mexican boxing icon ‘Canelo’ Alvarez on April 20, 2013 in San Antonio, Texas.

Additional fights that highlight Trout’s career include fights with world champions and top contenders Jermall Charlo, Jarrett Hurd, Erislandy Lara, Terrell Gausha and Delvin Rodriguez.

Sanchez is a lifelong resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico from the renowned Jackson Wink MMA Academy. He first burst onto the national MMA scene by winning the first season of The Ultimate Fighter, defeating Kenny Florian in the main event. A black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Gaidojutsu, Sanchez has compiled an MMA record of 30-14 with ten knockouts.

Among Sanchez’s UFC accolades include; 2009 Fight of the Year vs. Clay Guida, Winner of Seven-Time Fight of the Night and Most Decisions in UFC History (21). The fight against Trout will be his first on home soil since June 2014.