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BKFC Launches Ironweight Division as Lorenzo Hunt Battles Walter Pugliesi for Inaugural Championship at BKFC 91
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship is expanding its championship landscape once again.
BKFC President and Founder David Feldman has officially announced the creation of the promotion’s newest weight class, the Ironweight Division, which will encompass fighters competing between 206 and 225 pounds. The division will debut on July 18 at BKFC 91 in Naples, Italy, where one of the most accomplished fighters in company history, Lorenzo “The Juggernaut” Hunt, will face undefeated Italian contender Walter “Kraken” Pugliesi for the inaugural Ironweight World Championship.
The historic championship clash headlines BKFC’s return to Italy, a market that has quickly become one of the promotion’s strongest international destinations.
“There’s a large number of fighters who are more comfortable competing in the range of 206 to 225 pounds,”Feldman said while announcing the division.” The Ironweight division will start at BKFC-91 with the crowning of our new champion and we will have a number of exciting fights announced in the Ironweight division for upcoming shows.”
The championship bout presents a unique crossroads between established greatness and rising opportunity.
For Hunt, the fight represents a chance to further cement a legacy that already places him among the greatest fighters in BKFC history. “The Juggernaut”, enters the contest with a BKFC record of 13-2 and currently sits atop the promotion’s pound-for-pound rankings.
Over seven years with BKFC, Hunt has collected world titles across two weight classes while producing some of the most memorable moments in bare-knuckle history.
He reclaimed the Light Heavyweight title with possibly his most dramatic win at BKFC 84: Dyer vs. Hunt 2 in November 2025. Hunt put away Josh Dyer with a stunning comeback. After being knocked down twice in the opening round, Hunt rallied to score a breathtaking knockout with just one second remaining in the frame.
The momentum continued into 2026 when Hunt successfully defended his championship against reigning BKFC Middleweight Champion David Mundell at KnuckleMania VI. In front of more than 18,000 fans in Philadelphia, Hunt stopped Mundell in the fourth round, further solidifying his status as one of the promotion’s premier attractions.
A victory over Pugliesi would make Hunt a three-division BKFC world champion, adding another remarkable chapter to a career that already includes victories over Chris Camozzi, Mike Richman, Quentin Henry, Joe Riggs, Hector Lombard and Josh Dyer.
Standing opposite Hunt will be one of Italy’s fastest-rising combat sports stars.
Pugliesi may only have two BKFC fights on his résumé, but the undefeated Italian has quickly established himself as a dangerous force. After earning a dominant decision victory over Dominik Herald in his promotional debut in Florence, Pugliesi elevated his profile with a spectacular first-round knockout of Karl Thompson at BKFC 83 in Rome.
The victory showcased the finishing ability and power that has generated excitement among Italian fans, making him a natural choice to challenge for the inaugural title in front of a hometown crowd.
While Hunt enters as the proven champion and global star, Pugliesi will enjoy the advantages of youth and passionate local support as he attempts to pull off one of the biggest upsets in recent BKFC history.
The championship showdown takes place at Arena Flegrea in Naples, Italy, marking BKFC’s third event in the country. The promotion’s previous Italian events produced sold-out crowds and enthusiastic receptions, setting the stage for another electric atmosphere when the first Ironweight champion is crowned.
Beyond determining a new champion, the fight serves as the launching point for what BKFC hopes will become one of its most competitive divisions. With several established names fitting naturally into the 206-to-225-pound range, the Ironweight class could quickly become one of the organization’s most intriguing championship pictures.
On July 18, however, all eyes will be on Hunt and Pugliesi as they make history and battle for the first Ironweight World Championship in BKFC history.
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