Alan Belcher proudly was a master of all trades in his mixed martial arts career, but he entertained a cross-over bout in boxing shortly after joining the UFC roster.
The 38-year old veteran was already a top MMA prospects when he signed with UFC in 2006,. However, with an amateur boxing background, he received an interesting offer to make his professional debut with a card that is being promoted in Mississippi.
At the time, Belcher thought it was a great opportunity to test himself in another sport. However, it didn’t take long for his request to be denied by the UFC.
“I started amateur boxing when I was 14,” Belcher told MMA Fighting. Belcher said that he did a lot of amateur boxing and Toughman [competitions],. I never lost in boxing. Soon after my entry into UFC in 22 I turned 15 years old, I would make my debut.
“Roy Jones Jr. was making one of his comebacks at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum and he asked me — I was a new, young UFC fighter who had just got on TV — he asked me to co-headline his card there with him to bring in the local crowd. The UFC stopped me from making my UFC debut. Dana White thought that it was stupid so I lost my boxing career and any other activity I wanted .”
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Although Belcher spent the following seven years on the UFC roster he felt disappointed that he couldn’t take advantage of a rare opportunity because the promotion didn’t give him the ability to pursue other interests.
After retiring in 2015, Belcher made his return to combat sports six years later after inking a deal to join the roster at the BKFC where he currently sports a perfect 2-0 record.
With his next fight against Frank Tate scheduled for June 11, Belcher is looking to become the No. 1 contender’s bout at heavyweight, Belcher couldn’t be much happier with the way his career is going. Looking ahead, he’s happy to work with a promoter who will allow him the opportunity to chase bare-knuckle titles and maybe get a boxing match in the future as well.
“That’s part of my main motivation now,” Belcher said. “Doing the things I want to do. “Now I can be a fighter. My goal is to be the greatest bare-knuckle fighter in the world.
“When I was first talking to [BKFC President David] Feldman, talking about coming back, I was like maybe I’ll do this a little bit and get myself back into wrestling and maybe do some MMA. After my first fight it was clear to me that this is what I needed to do if I wanted to become a world champion. Feldman was great with me because boxing and pro-boxing are making me better at bare-knuckle because I’m getting more leveled up. It’s a freedom I enjoy. I’m also disciplined and everything I’m doing is to be the heavyweight bare-knuckle boxing champion of the world.”
Belcher won his debut fight in BKFC and scored an impressive knockout. He expects this to continue in June 11.
He is becoming more confident as a bare-knuckle fighter, and it’s going to be bad for his enemies.
While he plans to pursue a boxing match 2023, Belcher won’t put the gloves on again until he has claimed the BKFC heavyweight championship.
” I knew I would get the knockout because I could see my skills improve from the first fight.” Belcher stated. “I could clearly see my progress and continued growth a month to two months later.” I was 37 at that time, and never had I felt so strong, smooth, precise, or slick. I will knock everyone out .”
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