Andrei Arlovski is once again reigning as a world heavyweight champion, and a recent victor in the BKFC heavyweight ranks is putting ‘The Pitbull’ in his crosshairs after another strong win. Parker Porter is the combatant in question, and the ex-UFC heavyweight is coming off another emphatic win in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. Porter dispatched Haze Wilson at the BKFC Mohegan Sun card on March 28th and the former has had quite a quick path to success in his bare knuckle journey.
Someone who also fits within that context of a succinct journey to the top in gloveless combat is Andrei Arlovski who became champion within two fights. Porter was also live in attendance at the BKFC KnuckleMania VI event in Philadelphia where Andrei Arlovski unseated Ben Rothwell to claim the crown. When touching on Andrei Arlovski becoming BKFC heavyweight champ, Porter said [via Bare Knuckle Bowker],
“I think he was absolutely dominant. He’s the best we’ve seen him look in a long time. I think he looked phenomenally better than he did in his debut fight against [Josh] Copeland. I think also Ben didn’t look as good as he’s looked in the past. So, I think that was obviously to Arlovski’s advantage. But yeah, he looked really good. He looked sharp. He looked really explosive and fast.”
“You can expect somebody like him with the experience that he has as well as the resources that he has to really excel no matter what he decides to do, whether it’s BKFC or goes back to MMA or whatever it may be. The dude’s got a ridiculous amount of knowledge and experience and accomplishments under his belt. I just hope that I get the chance to fight him.”
“Because, it would be an honor, one. Two, I want the belt regardless of who has it. But it would be a dream fight of mine to be able to go fight Arlovski for the belt. So, if he ends up defending it against somebody else prior to me getting there, I hope he holds on to it.”
Andrei Arlovski and Parker Porter almost crossed paths previously, “predestined” for BKFC
With Andrei Arlovski, it’s not even so much about the belt being tied within the equation for Parker Porter. After observing how it seemed like double P wanted to test skills with the combat sports veteran at some point in general, regardless of maintaining that BKFC champion status or not, Porter stated [via Bare Knuckle Bowker],
“Yeah, 100%. We almost crossed paths once or twice while I was under contract with the UFC before he retired from the UFC as well. So the fact that he’s now in the BKFC, he’s now the champ, and I’ve got my sight set on getting the belt, it’s almost like predestined for us to cross paths. I can’t wait for that to be for a title fight.”
The BKFC heavyweight division seemingly continues to keep growing with surging KO artists like Leonardo Perdomo and former world champ Mick Terrill recently winning the BKFC UK heavyweight title both shining amid consistent intriguing new signings. As a ranked contender in the weight category touching on how it seems like a healthy time for the BKFC heavyweight ranks, Porter quipped [via Bare Knuckle Bowker],
“Yeah, it seems like you’re getting a lot more guys that are like super talented. You’re starting to get, again, a lot more momentum. Somebody had asked me previously if I thought that the BKFC was kind of like a little more geared or catered towards the older fighters like myself versus the young up and coming guys. I think because of the momentum that the BKFC is gaining in popularity and how frequently they’re doing shows, they’re starting to see some of these younger guys actually shift over to I want to have a career in the BKFC.”
“Whereas before, I think it was so new that the only people that were kind of willing to do it were guys that already had the experience in other places and they’re like, “Hell yeah, I want to try this out. Let’s go for it.” So with that happening, I think you’re going to see an even bigger influx of more talented heavyweights coming in.”