Austin Trout to face Diego Sanchez in Bare Knuckle clash on February 17

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) formally announced the welterweight clash between cross-state arch-rivals; Boxing World 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 17 at the Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque.

Also, a flyweight clash between popular, 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 KOs) of Pembroke Pines, FL.

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

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

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

Additional battles highlighting 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 Albuquerque, New Mexico resident from the acclaimed 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’ accolades in the UFC include; 2009 Fight of the Year vs. Clay Guida, Seven-Time Fight of the Night winner and most decision bouts in UFC history (21). The fight against Trout will be his first hometown bout since June 2014.