Unbeaten Bryce Henry Headlines BKFC 97 Against Big-Show Veteran Clay Collard
BKFC will return to its home away from home, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, for one more event before the end of 2026.
South Florida’s own unbeaten Bryce “Baba Yaga” Henry will headline in his backyard for the second time when he takes on combat sports veteran “Cassius” Clay Collard.
Standing 6-foot-3, Henry is an imposing presence who has consistently used his length and reach to break down opponents. His undefeated 8-0 record is impressive enough, but even more remarkable is his 100% finishing rate. Henry has already put together a resume featuring recognizable names, including UFC veteran Robbie Peralta and former BKFC champion Julian Lane.
In his most recent outing, Henry added another statement victory to his resume, becoming the first fighter to stop Carlos Trinidad-Snake. Now, he’ll have an opportunity to make another major leap in competition against one of the more experienced names in combat sports.
Collard brings a wealth of experience from the big-show circuit. The former UFC fighter has had two stints with the promotion, competed in the PFL, and made headlines during the COVID-era Top Rank boxing bubble by taking out several highly regarded prospects.
Collard has also proven he can make the transition to bare-knuckle boxing. He made a successful BKFC debut in August at BKFC Sturgis 3, scoring a third-round TKO over Daniel Keepers. Now, he gets an opportunity to derail Henry’s unbeaten run and establish himself as a legitimate contender in the BKFC ranks.
The co-main event features former BKFC Welterweight Champion Gorjan Slaveski taking on the always-tough Joe Elmore. Slaveski will look to use his experience and technical ability against an opponent known for making fights difficult for anyone standing across from him.
Former UFC title challenger Jessica Eye also returns to the squared circle after getting her first taste of bare-knuckle competition last June. Eye welcomes Power Slap competitor and PFL vet Desiree Yanez, who will look to make an impression against one of the most recognizable names to cross over from the MMA world.
Another intriguing matchup will see former BKFC Welterweight Champion Elvin Brito welcomes former BKFC Featherweight title challenger Howard Davis back to the promotion. The two will meet at lightweight in a stylistic clash between Brito’s aggressive, pressure-oriented approach and Davis’ more traditional boxing background.
With an unbeaten hometown headliner facing a seasoned combat sports veteran, former champions throughout the card, and several intriguing stylistic matchups, BKFC 97 brings a compelling lineup back to South Florida.
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