John Phillips is the latest ex-UFC star to revive their combat sports career in bare-knuckle boxing.
‘The Welsh Wrecking Machine’ is a 34-fight MMA veteran who last fought in October 2020.
John Phillips’ 1-5 UFC run was brought to an end after Jun Yong Park beat him by decision.
He’ll always be remembered as the man who welcomed Khamzat Chimaev to big-time MMA.
John Phillips revives career with BKFC KO
Chimaev famously debuted in the UFC with a dominant win over Phillips in July 2020.
One judge gave him a rare 10-7 round before he locked up a D’Arce choke in the second round.
Almost five years later, Chimaev is on the verge of fighting middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis.
Meanwhile, Phillips has kicked off his new bare-knuckle boxing career with an epic knockout win.
The 39-year-old squared off against fellow UFC veteran Fábio Maldonado at BKFC on Saturday night.
Phillips dropped the 30-11 pro boxer before closing the show when he climbed back to his feet.
A clean left hand to the jaw sent an unconscious Maldonado crashing into the ropes before he landed flat on his face, and the fight was called off.
Fans react to John Phillips’ triumphant return
Footage of Phillips brutally knocking out Maldonado spread around social media like wildfire.
Fans were so impressed that many of them wondered why he didn’t join BKFC sooner.
“You don’t get up from that left clip,” one person said. While another added: “If there is a former UFC fighter more suited to BKFC than John Phillips, then I would like to see it.”
“THAT WAS INSANE. John Phillips has Scary power! BKFC tweeted.
“John Phillips was born for bare knuckle,” Conor McGregor’s coach, Owen Roddy, insisted.
“The white Mike Tyson. Let’s go, John Phillips,” someone else commented.
“Great fight!!!!!!!” a sixth fan said.
