SPARKS FLY AT BKFC’S HEATED  FINAL LIBERTY BRAWL PRESS CONFERENCE IN PHILLY

Philadelphia, PA (July 1, 2026) Tempers were heated in Philadelphia as Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), The World’s Fastest Growing Combat Sports Promotion, held the Final Press Conference for Liberty Brawl, their highly anticipated return to Xfinity Mobile Arena this Friday Night, July 3. The event, celebrating the 250th Anniversary of America, will be broadcast on DAZN, (8:00 p.m. ET free prelims, 9:00 p.m. ET main card). 

The Final Press Conference was held at the famed 2300 Arena in front of a large crowd of local fans and media. 

Fighting in the Main Event at Liberty Brawl for the vacant BKFC Lightweight World Title, Undefeated and #2 Ranked Pound-for-Pound Fighter Austin ‘No Doubt’ Trout, (5-0), of Las Cruces, NM faces #1 Divisionally Ranked Lightweight and Former World Champion Ben ‘The Bomber’ Bonner, (5-2), of Yorkshire, United Kingdom. 

Co-headlining, BKFC Female Fighting Legend, Britain Hart, (10-3), of Bedford, VA defends her BKFC Strawweight World Title against #1 Divisionally Ranked and Undefeated Challenger Sarah ‘TNT’ Shell, (3-0), of Chandler, AZ.

Competing in the Feature Fight at Liberty Brawl, arch-rivals; Undefeated Philly Sports Fan Favorite Johnny ‘Cannoli’ Garbarino, (4-0, 4 KOs) and Former Two-Time BKFC World Champion and #5 Ranked Mike ‘The Marine’ Richman, (8-3), of Rosemount, MN will clash in the middleweight division. 

Remaining tickets can be purchased online at BKFC.com. Liberty Brawl marks the third BKFC event at the Xfinity Mobile Arena; the previous two historical record setting sellouts taking place at Knuckle Mania VI on January 25, 2025 (Attendance 17,762) and Knuckle Mania VI on February 7, 2026 (Attendance 18, 217). Doors will open on the night of the event at 7:00 p.m. ET. 

The Open to the Public – Ceremonial Weigh-In will take place tomorrow night, Friday, July 2 at Stateside Live! starting at 7:00 p.m. ET, doors open at 6:00 p.m. ET. 

Below are quotes from the participants at the Final Press Conference. 

David Feldman – BKFC Founder/President

“It’s great to be back in Philly. This is where everybody really throws down. Friday night is going to be a very, very, very special night. We knocked on Pennsylvania’s door for 17 years before they allowed us to come here, and now the city welcomes us to be a part of their 250th anniversary celebration. I’m unbelievably excited for this card.”

Austin “No Doubt” Trout

“I’m very happy to be here and excited to fight. To be a representative of the United States, to keep the belt here in the United States — you picked the right one. I’m here to keep the belt in America. It’s an honor, and I will be fighting like it’s the honor of my life.”

“I’ve fought the best in the world, and they couldn’t take me out … You are not the best in the world, and you’re not going to be able to do it.”

Ben “The Bomber” Bonner

“I’ve got nothing but respect for Austin Trout; I have no ill will towards him and I respect his credentials. But this man’s chin hasn’t been tested like I’m going to test it. I’m going to take his head off his neck. On America’s most famous weekend, the U.K. is coming to liberate the belt. Let me tell you; the belt is coming back to the U.K., no doubt about it.”

Britain Hart

“This is super personal. It’s been personal for six months. It’s been motivation … When she shoved me in public in December, I was still stoked to fight her because I thought I’d still get to fight her at KnuckleMania, but she pulled out in February and that is where it became super personal and I became angry to get back in there. The fact that this is happening at Liberty Brawl, it couldn’t be more perfect.”

Sarah “TNT” Shell

“She’s been a little unhinged on Instagram to the point that I can’t read the essays anymore. The talking is done Friday. I’ve been fighting since 2010; I’m not new to this. I’ve knocked down all my opponents and none of my opponents are asking for rematches. All her opponents are asking for rematches.”

Johnny ‘Cannoli’ Garbarino

“It ends with me getting my hand raised and praising God. He had a lot of bad things to say about me and my city. I’m trying to be as respectful as possible, but I’ve got his ticket.”

Mike “The Marine” Richman

“He’s just another one. This is just business to me. Get in there with me and we’re going to dance, period.”

Lex “The Grizzly Bear” Ludlow

“I’m going to knock him out in the first or second round and I’m going to cut one hell of a promo after.”

CodyRussell

“This is my therapy. I may not run my mouth too well to promote fights, but what I do a damn good job is bringing fireworks on the night of the fight and making sure that each and every one of the fans enjoy the show. That’s what I expect from Bostwick too. It’s nothing but respect, but this is Fight of the Night, Fight of the Year.”

“Brutal” Jake Bostwick

“Respect to Cody. When you see me fight, I lay it all out on the line, and I know that Cody is going to bring it. I’m looking for Fight of the Night with this gentleman. I’m excited to represent the U.K. as well — I’m a proud American as well — and this is going to be a war.”

Matt Turnbull

“I don’t feel any pressure. I just like to fight.”

Anthony Pagan

“My coach Eddie Alvarez says there’s no time to think. It’s just two minutes and we’re all over him from the opening bell. I plan on doing what I always do.”

Zed Montanez

“I want to thank God, BKFC, my family and friends, and everyone who bought a ticket. I don’t really talk too much. Those who know, know. I come to rumble. Tune in.”

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Cody Russell, (2-0), of Philadelphia battles hard-core bare-knuckle veteran ‘Brutal’ Jake Bostwick, (5-2-1), of the United Kingdom. Lex ‘The Grizzly Bear’ Ludlow, (3-0), of Philadelphia faces off against Drew ‘Hard Body’ Nolan, (1-3), of Cadillac, MI. 

Philly’s Matthew ‘White Chocolate’ Turnbull makes his BKFC debut against Brandon Honsvick, (1-2) in the lightweight division. Popular Philly bare-knuckle fighter Pat ‘The Irishman’ Sullivan, (1-2), clashes with welterweight Ruben ‘The Beast’ Arroyo, (0-4). Fighting in the lightweight division, local favorite ‘King’ Zed Montanez, (1-0), faces Matt ‘Iron Fist’ Maestas, (2-3). 

Anthony Pagan, (1-0), of Philadelphia battles Zach ‘Lil Mac’ Pannell, (1-5), in the inaugural BKFC one two-minute round fight in the lightweight division. 

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