This is the BKFC 26 live blog for Bec Rawlings vs. Britain Hart 2, a featured bout of Friday’s main card at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
This is a flyweight rematch of a bout that previously took place in August 2018, which saw Rawlings edge Hart via split decision.
Rawlings, who is 8-9 in MMA and 3-0 in her bare-knuckle boxing career, has not competed in BKFC since a February 2019 win over Cecilia Flores. Perhaps her most notable accomplishment is her time in the UFC where she faced well-known fighters like Tecia Torres and Paige VanZant. Rawlings earned a unanimous decision win over Elina Kallionidou in her most recent combat sports appearance in February 2020 at Bellator 240.
Hart, who is 4-3 in her bare-knuckle boxing career and 1-3-3 as a pro boxer, returns after dropping a unanimous decision to Christine Ferea in her bid to win the vacant BKFC flyweight title. Hart owns notable bare-knuckle boxing wins over former UFC fighter VanZant and Pearl Gonzalez.
Check out the Bec Rawlings vs. Britain Hart 2 live blog below.
Round 1: Cautious start for both, with Hart jabbing from the outside. Hart continues, while Rawlings begins to use her jab. Hart still sniping from outside as Rawlings stays patient. Rawlings closes and unloads a combo. She catches Hart with a straight right. Hart comes in wild with hooks and is blocked. Rawlings jabs the sternum and that’s the bell.
MMA Fighting scores the round for Rawlings, 10-9.
Round 2: Rawlings out aggressive early. Hart is on the move and keeps her from getting too aggressive. Hart goes to the body, but Rawlings again catches her with the right and they tie up to get a separation. Hart is back in action. She looks tentative but has succeeded with her jab at the body from a distance. Rawlings leads the right and resets. Rawlings is on point with her jab. Again, Rawlings scores with the straight right after Hart misses on an uppercut.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 for Rawlings, who’s up 20-18.
Round 3: They trade right hands early, and Rawlings doubles up with the right as Hart goes low. Hart caught on the counter coming in. Rawlings technique a lot cleaner inside, she’s wasting less movement as Hart tries to get inside and land and fires back to keep distance. Hart adds a nice kick to her body at the end of the combo. Rawlings lands a two-punch combo off the back end. Hart goes back to the jab, and Rawlings short with a right.
Very close round, but Hart’s late-round work gives her the frame, 10-9, and it’s 29-28 Rawlings.
Round 4: Early straight rights from Rawlings off the jab. Hart dodges most but gets caught with one right. Hart returns to the jab and circles around before losing a two-punch combination. Rawlings returns at the end Hart’s advance but is a bit off-balance and misses. Hart’s activity may win her the round, but Rawlings is a bit short. Hart is known for her best work, including a jab and cross to the body. Hart follows Rawlings with an aggressive flurry, ending in a left and right hook.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 for Hart, and it’s 38-38.
Round 5: Rawlings leads early with a flurry of punches that connect, and they start to trade heavy. Rawlings is on early, and Hart resets. Rawlings cathces Hart coming in and then lands a straight right. Hart back to the body with her left hand, and then she unloads as Rawlings closes in. Hart ducks as Rawlings charges in and goes back to moving. Rawlings is scouting and lands right-and-left hooks in the counter. Rawlings’ hair is an issue as it flops around. Hart is a clown and she closes the door. Hart trying to hit and run, and Rawlings swings. Hart starts cursing at Rawlings, and Hart puts his finger on the other’s ear. It was a technical battle that ended in a confrontation.
MMA Fighting scores the frame 10-9 to Rawlings, who gets the 48-47 decision.
OFFICIAL DECISION: Britain Hart def. Bec Rawlings via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)
