Taylor Bull returns to the BKB Mighty Trigon once again on August 29th and looks to potentially vault toward a title shot with a strong performance in Miami. This transpires at BKB 58.
Ragin’ Bull battles the unbeaten Murat Kilimetov, and the Canadian bare-knuckle champion is already ranked in BKB, whereby a victory in his sophomore appearance could set him up for the Julian Fernandez vs. Dan Podmore victor at BKB 59 in Mexico.
BKB 58
Reflecting on his BKB debut in Q1 of 2026 and what it was like fighting in the smallest combat sports space in the world, Bull said [via Bare Knuckle Bowker]
“It honestly felt right at home. My footwork and how I move, I’m used to the tight space. Like, I like dancing. I like doing the footwork thing when the space is there. But when it comes down to the actual exchange, I cut the angles and like it was very comfortable. Considering it’s the smallest space in combat sports, it felt like more than enough room. I’m just saying like I always knew when I watched the Trigon come out years ago, I was like I want to try that out. I want to. So, it’s kind of come full circle to where I made my debut last time and it just really felt like like I was home.”
Also besting a demonstrably experienced opponent in Bubba McDaniel, a very well-traveled combat sports athlete who has fought names like UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland and former BKFC cruiserweight champ Chris Camozzi. When asked about getting that first-round finish and catching the attention of the broader BKB fan base, Bull stated
“Yeah. No, it was definitely a fun debut, for sure. I managed to; I think I made a statement when it comes down to bare knuckle and what I’ve done so far. I haven’t landed that many punches, in the broader look at things. I haven’t landed that many punches, but every punch I land does damage. So, I mean, it’s yeah; then with with this guy, with this next fight, I don’t think he’s really been tested in bare knuckle. So, I’m definitely looking to [do that]. I’m going give him nothing but respect. You’re absolutely right. I fight every single fight like it’s my last fight. I fight it like it’s the last time I’m going to get a chance to show out. So every fight from now on and has been like this is every fight is just the most serious thing, right? It could be my last one. So I take it as serious as I can. Everybody gets respect. You’re willing to step in that ring. You’re willing to get [it], you got my respect. So I’m excited to to test. Like I said, I think Murat hasn’t been tested in bare knuckle. He’s gotten some quick finishes, but no one’s really planted one on him. So, I’m interesting to see how well he takes a punch.”
BKB Miami
Expounding upon his thoughts that his August 29th adversary has yet to face adversity in the world of gloveless combat as of yet, Bull noted that
“I mean, it all changes when you get hit, right? So me having more reach on him, I’m sure we’re going to exchange, which is what I look for. I look for the exchange, right? Cuz I mean, my whole thing is we’re going to hit each other. Like it’s silly to go in and think, “Oh, I don’t want to get hit.” That’s a disservice a lot of fighters do to themselves. You got to go in there knowing you’re going to get hit. Welcome the hit. You know, we’re in there. This is the fight game. This is the hurt game. We got to be ready to get hurt. So, I’m fully prepared to get hurt, to get hit. But I wager that I handle it better than him.”
The victor of this fight is positioned quite well for a crack at gold either late-2026 or early-2027, and when expounding upon what a win could get him here on Saturday, Bull said
“Yes. Ideally I make a statement… I either get a contender, so it would be the number one guy or the champ. Julian Fernandez fighting, he’s defending his belt next month in September. So depending on what happens there, yeah, I feel like making a statement and then asking for what I’m here to do is go for the title. So whatever is going to get me closer to that. Again, I’m not too worried about the logistics first things first, right? But that’s the goal is to make a statement and work my way closer. As you said, like I’m number two in the division. There’s not much of a ladder left. Get me, you know. So it’s all about making a statement… I’m usually pretty easygoing. I don’t make like demands with anybody, any organizations. I just kind of put myself out there. I do the thing and I see where it sends me, right? So I’m going to go out, do the thing, make a statement, and see what BKB thinks. Let them decide. Ball will be in their court. I got two more fights. I got a four fight contract. So, this will be two more after this one. So, depending on where they want to take me from there. So, I’m excited to see how that goes. But again, I’m always eye on the prize, right? Don’t want to get ahead of myself. So, first things first, next week looking as I said, I’m always looking forward to it. Like it’s about I mean, I know you got to be serious in training. You got to take things [seriously], being a professional is a big part of this, but having fun is really [key]. Because a couple years back, it was all about winning. I needed to win. I don’t worry about that anymore. ‘m just more set on fighting hard. I go out and treat it like it’s my last fight and I make sure that I’m ready to fight hard. Great things happen. When I go out and try to win, right, and try to focus on, oh, I got to, you pigeon hole yourself with the vision. I just work on showing up that day fully fed, ready to fight. As long as I do that, things go very well. So, I trust my skill.”
Taylor Bull
The indigenous athlete is also rocking a custom flag that is designed to show love to his community but also foster broader unity. Explaining the significance of that, Bull said
“Yeah. I’m going to be representing. It’s kind of a universal flag. It represents the Cree culture, but the medicine wheel with the four colors, it’s kind of an embodying of all people’s, you know. Yeah, it’s a custom-made flag. Ivor, his brother, actually custom made it for him and it just so happened we were at a sweat lodge ceremony we were doing. Bumped into each other and we kind of just clicked. He’s like, “Yeah, I want you to take this.” I thought, “This is perfect. I’m gonna fly this out at the weigh-ins and represent.”
Delving into embodying the idea of not hesitating so as to be in a flow state to be optimally effective, Bull stated
“Yeah, being fully fed. That’s one of the things I’ve been just [all about]. Just as long as I got a belly full of food, I’m dangerous, man.”
BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing
When offering a recent anecdote to spotlight his growth into someone who is quite community minded and giving, Bull said
“Yeah, I actually had my high school principal walk up to me at a Powow a couple of weeks ago and just real randomly. Just shook my hand and said, “Hey, I hear you’re doing good things nowadays.” He just said, “Good job, young man.” Just it was odd, you know, because back in high school, I wasn’t this guy, right? So, it was a funny moment just like, yeah. I’m not here for the limelight. I do what I do because it needs to be done. But you know, it’s nice to be acknowledged. I think people are taking [notice], they’re noticing. Again, that’s not what I do it for, but I don’t know. I do appreciate the love and the support for everything I’m doing. So, it makes a difference.”
