BKFC Philadelphia fight card, betting picks & predictions

The Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship returns to Philadelphia for BKFC Fight Night: Pague vs Petersen, bringing the heat back to the iconic 2300 Arena.

Local favorite Dustin Pague headlines the card in a welterweight brawl with Ryan Petersen, while former UFC talent Alessio Sakara and rising flyweight star Rosalinda Rodriguez supporting on a stacked lineup.

With eight bruising bouts featuring veterans, prospects, and guaranteed action, this Philly showdown promises blood, grit, and fireworks from start to finish.

Here’s our full preview of the BKFC Philadelphia main card, including betting picks, fighter breakdowns, and top sportsbook odds.

Main Event: Dustin Pague vs Ryan Petersen

Former UFC veteran Dustin Pague steps into the main event with years of experience in both MMA and bare-knuckle fighting. He’s known for his high-volume striking, toughness, and ability to drag opponents into deep waters. In his four BKFC wins, Pague has shown improved head movement and a willingness to fight in the pocket.

Ryan Petersen is unbeaten in BKFC and enters with strong regional credentials. He brings dynamic footwork and tight boxing combinations but hasn’t faced anyone quite like Pague. This step up in competition will test Petersen’s defensive discipline and cardio.

Rosalinda Rodriguez vs Gabrielle Roman

Rosalinda Rodriguez is a rising star in the women’s division, bringing relentless pressure and sharp jab-cross combinations. Her footwork allows her to dictate pace, and her clinch game is underrated.

Gabrielle Roman, while tough, has struggled with volume punchers. She brings a scrappy, brawler mentality but often sacrifices defense for offense, and she may struggle with Rodriguez’s sheer output and movement.

John Garbarino vs Erik Lopez

John Garbarino has looked polished in his two BKFC outings, showcasing clean boxing technique and solid counters. He tends to stay composed even under fire, using sharp head movement and stiff jabs.

Erik Lopez comes in with more experience but a wild style that leaves him open to straight shots. He’s explosive early but fades in later rounds.

Alessio Sakara vs Erick Lozano

A longtime UFC standout, Alessio Sakara brings heavy hands and years of striking experience to his BKFC debut. Though past his athletic prime, Sakara still carries legit one-punch knockout power and crisp boxing fundamentals.

Erick Lozano has a few fights under his belt but lacks the technical depth to hang with a striker of Sakara’s caliber. He can land big shots, but his defense and footwork are exploitable.

Maurice Horne vs Cody Vidal

Maurice Horne is still green in bare-knuckle, but he showed flashes of potential in his debut. He’s aggressive and throws with heat but can be wild and overextend.

Cody Vidal has a slight experience edge and cleaner mechanics. He mixes up levels well and uses body shots to wear opponents down.

This could be a firefight, but Vidal’s accuracy and ability to stay calm under pressure make him the smart play.

Pat Sullivan vs Austin Peterson

Both fighters are still chasing their first BKFC win, but Pat Sullivan showed real bite in his debut. He comes forward, has good length, and is learning to use his jab more effectively.

Austin Peterson is compact and durable but tends to get stuck in exchanges and can be outworked; however, given this green fight, anything can happen.

Elijah Harris vs Ishiah Carson

Elijah Harris showed solid composure and grit in his debut. He uses feints well and doesn’t overcommit, which will be vital against a brawler like Ishiah Carson.

Carson has more raw power, but his footwork is sometimes flat. If Harris stays on the outside and uses his jab, he can frustrate Carson over the course of the bout.

Travis Thompson vs Darrick Gates

BKFC veteran Travis Thompson is a technical striker who excels in gritty exchanges. His jab is crisp, and his ability to take a punch keeps him in every fight.

Darrick Gates is aggressive and tough but has a leaky guard. Thompson’s experience and sharper timing should see him control the bout and wear Gates down.