Palomino, a former WSOF fighter on the MMA side of things, has been hospitalized due to COVID-19. The experience has been so dire that it has changed his mind on healthy adults being vaccinated for the disease, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus that has blanketed the globe for the past 18 months.

In a post to social media, Palomino, who defended his lightweight title against Tyler Goodjohn at BKFC 18 on June 27, wrote that it was the surging Delta variant that landed him in a hospital bed.

“Fighting covid variant Delta,” he wrote, adding “12 days no food, sips of water, massive headaches, body aches, fevers from day one still going today, shiver attacks, no sleeps longer then 2/3 hours, inflammation of the pancreas, diarrhea pure water just started to calm down with medication. Severe pneumonia, and fluid in both lungs. Diabetes just popped up from all the steroids their pumping me with and took my first ever insulin shots.”

“The list goes on,” continued Palomino, adding “THIS IS NOT A JOKE GET VACCINATED ASAP.”

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CTASFqogJOB

In an accompanying video, the fighter explained that he contracted the virus after getting engaged with his girlfriend, which led to celebrating.

“I spent the last five years without getting sick by simply taking care of my body and my immune system. After my engagement, during my engagement, I began celebrating, did a lot of drinking, and I let my immune system drop,” explained the bare-knuckle star. “So Delta caught me slipping. That’s exactly what happened. My five year streak was broken really bad.”

He then added a warning for anyone doubting the severity of the disease. “Just want to let you guys know, this thing is very serious. I was completely against the vaccine, except for elders and kids that are really young and have weakened immune systems. That I was never against, I always encouraged elders to get the vaccine, like my mom, for example. Family members, friends, I always agreed that they should take it, take the vaccine.”

“Now I encourage you all to take it. You got Pfizer FDA approved. Soon as I’m out of here, my entire family in my home, my fiance and my son, will be taking it. At least it will keep you from dying.”

Palomino has run up a 4-0 record since moving to bare-knuckle in 2020. A native of Lima, Peru, he currently resides in Florida, one of the hardest hit areas in terms of COVID-19 cases in the U.S.

The post Defending BKFC Lightweight Champ Luis Palomino Hospitalized with COVID-19 appeared first on Cageside Press.

A quadrilogy of title fights. The debut of everyone’s favorite pearl-adorned fighter, Pearl Gonzalez. Julian “Let me Bang, Bro!” Lane.

The title fights came at heavyweight, 205lbs, 175lbs, and 155lbs. In the main event, it was Joey Beltran set to defend his heavyweight title against Sam Shewmaker. Hector Lombard and Joe Riggs, both well-known names to UFC fans, would anchor the co-feature, with 205lb gold on the line. Luis Palomino put his 155lb belt on the line opposite Tyler Goodjohn, while Thiago Alves, another well-known name to UFC fans, threw down with Ulysses Diaz for the vacant 175lb belt.

BKFC 18 was set to go down live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, FL on Friday, June 26. The action airs live on PPV via BKTVAPP.com 

Check below for full results.

BKFC 18: Beltran vs. Shewmaker Results

Main Card

Joey Beltran (c) def. Sam Shewmaker by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) – for the Police Gazette and BKFC heavyweight championship
Hector Lombard def. Joe Riggs by TKO (eye injury), Round 4, 1:07 – for the BKFC cruiserweight championship
Thiago Alves def. Ulysses Diaz by TKO (doctor’s stoppage), Round 3, 2:00 – for the inaugutal BKFC middleweight championship
Luis Palomino (c) def. Tyler Goodjohn by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) – for the Police Gazette and BKFC lightweight titles
Pearl Gonzalez def. Charisa Sigala by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
Julian Lane def. Jake Bostwick by unanimous decision (50-44, 50-43, 48-45)
Jarod Grant def. Travis Thompson by TKO (doctor’s stoppage), Round 4, 0:35
Eddie Hoch def. Bruce Lutchmedial by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
Steve Herelius def. Juan Torres by split decision (48-47, 47-48, 49-46)
Francesco Ricchi def. Brian Maxwell by TKO (right uppercut), Round 2, 1:25

Preliminary card

Montaser Aboughaly def. Luke Parsons via KO (referee stoppage after three knockdowns), Round 1, 0:34
Josh Alvarez def. Paul Teague by KO (overhand right), Round 1, 0:17
Yosdenis Cedeno def. Alan Arzeno by split decision (46-49, 49-46, 49-46)
Eduardo Concepcion def. Gabe Brown by KO, Round 1, 0:05

The post BKFC 18: Beltran vs. Shewmaker Results appeared first on Cageside Press.

Gonzalez (10-5 MMA) will have her promotional coming out party at BKFC 18 on June 26. There, she’ll take on Charisa Sigala (4-2 MMA, 0-1 BKB). BKFC officials announced the bout on social media on Tuesday.

OFFICIAL: @BKFCsweetheart Takes on @PearlGonzalez at #BKFC18 🔥🔥🔥

[ Tix & How to Watch in Bio 🎫 📺 ] pic.twitter.com/EBgMquMOcE

— Bare Knuckle FC (@bareknucklefc) June 1, 2021

A fan favorite, Gonzalez didn’t last long in her UFC run, losing back-to-back fights inside the octagon in 2017. That said, those losses came early on in her MMA career, and led to a three-fight win streak in Invicta. In turn, that took Pearl to a title shot, though she came up short against then-flyweight champion Vanessa Porto. Since the title fight, Gonzalez has posted a 1-1 record in mixed martial arts.

Sigala started her own MMA career going 4-0 under the Gladiator Challenge banner. However, after jumping to Combate Americas (now known as Combate Global), she dropped her next two bouts. That led her to BKFC, where Sigala lost Taylor Jenkins by decision at KnuckleMania back in February.

BKFC 18, which takes place June 26 in Miami, Florida, will also see UFC vet Thiago Alves take on Uly Diaz for the inaugural BKFC middleweight title. The lightweight title will also be up for grabs when Luis Palomino faces off with Tyler Goodjohn. Not stopping there, two more titles are on the line: Hector Lombard will face Joe Riggs for the cruiserweight belt, and the heavyweight strap will be defended by Joey Beltran against Sam Shewmaker.

On the Pearl Gonzalez front, a win for Pearl could put her in line for the winner of Paige VanZant vs. Rachael Ostovich at BKFC 19.

The post Pearl Gonzalez Meets Charisa Sigala at BKFC 18 on June 26 appeared first on Cageside Press.