Chad Mendes made a statement in his Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship debut.
The multi-time UFC title challenger took on Joshuah “Famez” Alvarez on the main card of BKFC’s Knucklemania 2 on Saturday night at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla.
Mendes looked at home in his new sport, surprising “Famez” with a big shot early. Mendes avoided any serious damage during the first round, landing more severe strikes. Mendes continued to swing for the one-punch KO in the second frame, but Alvarez was able to stay upright — that is, until Mendes absolutely flattened him with a big right hand at the end of the round.
Chad Mendes got a knockdown in the second round of his BKFC debut #Knucklemania2
(via @FiteTV) pic.twitter.com/o65xW4uzbk
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) February 20, 2022
Mendes added a second knockdown to his total, sending Alvarez into the ropes then down to a knee with another vicious right hand with 30 seconds left in the third round.
Another knockdown for ‘Money’ Mendes in Round 3 #KnuckleMania2
(via @FiteTV) pic.twitter.com/oWDSCpWdjR
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) February 20, 2022
At 4:01 of the forth, Mendes had dropped Alvarez again. However, the fighter managed to win the fight.
Two seconds later, Mendes scored another devastating knockdown to win his fourth bout. The referee then waved off the fight.
Mendes @bareknucklefc #KNUCKLEMANIA2 pic.twitter.com/oqcM6iIQiX
— Oddessa (@MMAOdds) February 20, 2022
Welcome to @bareknucklefc, @chadmendes. Knocking down Famez 4 times to get the 4th round victory. #KnuckleMania2 pic.twitter.com/5jcBKsndPA
— FITE (@FiteTV) February 20, 2022
Mendes picks up his first combat sports victory since stopping Myles Jury in the first round at UFC Fight Night 133 nearly four years ago. Alvarez’s bare knuckle record drops to 1-2.
