BKFC 23 predictions, betting picks & fight odds – April 9, 2022

Mike Richman and David Rickels will both put their undefeated BKFC records on the line when they clash in a middleweight bout that will serve as the main event of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 23. Here’s a betting preview of that fight as well as the co-main event of Isaac Doolittle vs Jared Warren for Saturday’s BKFC 23 card in Wichita, Kansas.

Main Event: David Rickels (+170) vs Mike Richman (-210)

Mike Richman was 18-5-0 during his MMA career including a 7-4-0 record in 11 Bellator fights before eventually dropping the final three fights of his professional career by decision. David Rickels also enjoyed a respectable career in mixed martial arts with a 21-6-0 record that included a 15-6-0 record in nearly a decade with Bellator.

Both of these fighters have found new life in the bare knuckle boxing arena. Rickels is 2-0-0 in the BKFC with decision wins over Cliffort Wright and Julian Lane. Richman is 3-0-0 with three knockout wins in his first three bare-knuckle boxing matches including a 2-0-0 record in the BKFC with victories over Marcel Stamps and Dakota Cochrane.

This figures to be a competitive fight between two very solid former Bellator fighters. What makes Richman the favorite here is his clear edge in power; six of his last seven MMA wins came by knockout as have all three of his wins in bare-knuckle boxing, and he was knocked out only once in MMA competition. Rickels has far less power and was knocked out four times in Bellator action. A Rickels win by decision wouldn’t surprise us, but we’ll be rolling with Richman to keep his knockout streak going with another one here.

Co-Main Event: Isaac Doolittle (+150) vs Jared Warren (-180)

Jared Warren and Isaac Doolittle have both taken very similar paths to this point. Both had short and underwhelming 1-2-0 careers in mixed martial arts before transitioning into bare-knuckle boxing, where they have both managed to find success. Warren is 3-1-0 in four fights with the BKFC, earning his three wins by knockout while also suffering his only loss to Josh Dyer by knockout. Doolittle is 3-0-0 as a bare-knuckle boxer including a 2-0-0 start with the BKFC.

As is the case in the main event, one fighter has a clear power edge in this one as Warren has shown plenty of power through his first four fights. Though in this case, we’re taking a shot on the underdog; Doolittle has been rock-solid thus far and is seven years younger than his opponent. If he can avoid the knockout, he should be capable of doing enough to come out on top.

More BKFC 23 betting odds

The bare-knuckle boxing crowd in attendance in Wichita and those watching the stream will have a card of 11 fights in total to enjoy on Saturday night. Here’s a look at the betting odds on the rest of the card leading up to the co-main event.

• Jerald Gregori (+600) vs Marciano Hernandez (-900)
• Derrick Findley (+155) vs Jake Lindsey (-185)
• Crystal Pittman (+110) vs Jessica Link (-140)
• LJ Hermreck (+190) vs Stevo Morris (-240)
• Chancey Wilson (-115) vs Justyn Martinez (-115)
• Antonio Soto III (-150) vs Shawn Moffett (+120)
• Josh Richey (+180) vs Tyler Randall (-220)
• Noah Cutter (+130) vs Kenny Licea (-160)
• Edmund Santos (+125) vs Nick Villar (-155)

More sports betting picks