Abdiel Velazquez: "Reggie and I have been trying to fight since the beginning" - Meet at BKFC 12

Currently 3-2 with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, Abdiel Velazquez, faces a friend that’ll turn foe; if only for their scheduled BKFC 12, 5-round battle. Former BKFC title contender, Reggie ”Educated Hands” Barnett Jr. will be the task at hand for Velazquez on September 11.

“Reggie and I have been trying to fight since the beginning,” Velazquez excitedly proclaimed while speaking with Adam Crist of MyMMANews. “I was supposed to fight him in MMA,” he adds. Continuing with, “he told me straight up that he never wanted to face me because MMA is not his style.”

Delving into the bout, Velazquez isn’t shy to discuss his keys to victory. “Get him frustrated,” he says. “That’s more of my game.” Continuing with “he won’t hit me as much as he thinks!”

When asked for a prediction for the contest, Velazquez was respectful to Barnett’s caliber of opposition, stating, “slugfest for a few seconds, reset and get back to work, but play it smart.” Expanding with, “unanimous decision. 5 rounds. I know it’s gonna go 5 rounds.” Adding, “I know Reggie! Reggie can take a hit but I’m gonna be winning.” With his closing words for Barnett being “Let’s have fun!”

The Velazquez - Barnett Jr. fight is part of the BKFC 12 card headlined by former UFC welterweight title contender Thiago Alves and Julian Lane who takes the fight on short notice after Phil Baroni was removed from the card.

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Watch the Fight

Download the BKTV App at BKTVapp.com to watch the BKFC 12 fight card on pay-per-view. The event will be broadcast live from Daytona Beach, Florida beginning at 9 pm ET on Friday, September 11.