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Former UFC bantamweight contender Jimmie Rivera produced one of the most memorable finishes of BKFC 95, knocking out Brandon Meyer with a devastating left hook in the fourth round of their bare-knuckle boxing contest.
Jimmie Rivera scores spectacular knockout against Brandon Meyer
Rivera entered BKFC 95 looking to build momentum in his bare-knuckle boxing career. The New Jersey native delivered a composed performance against Meyer, controlling the action through the opening three rounds before finding the decisive opening in the fourth.
At 46 seconds into the fourth round, Rivera landed a powerful left hook that knocked Meyer unconscious and sent him face-first to the canvas. The referee immediately stopped the contest, giving Rivera a knockout victory in front of his home-state supporters.
The finish was particularly emphatic given Rivera’s experience at the highest levels of mixed martial arts. Known as “El Terror,” he previously competed against several leading UFC bantamweights and built a reputation as a technically sound striker.
The victory improved Rivera’s BKFC record to 4-2-1, with two stoppage victories. Meyer fell to 3-5, with two wins by knockout.
Rivera has increasingly established himself in bare-knuckle boxing after his final MMA appearance in 2021. His experience against elite opposition has helped him adapt to the different demands of fighting without gloves, where clean punches can have devastating consequences.
The knockout also provided a memorable moment for the local crowd, with Rivera returning to Newark for another appearance at the venue where he had previously recorded a bare-knuckle knockout.
Jamel Herring defeats John Dodson to retain BKFC title
The main event featured a championship showdown between reigning BKFC bantamweight champion Jamel Herring and former UFC title challenger John Dodson.
Herring secured a unanimous decision victory after five rounds, with the judges scoring the contest 49-46, 48-47 and 49-46 in his favour. The result allowed Herring to retain his championship and continue his unbeaten run in bare-knuckle competition.
Herring, a former professional boxing world champion, brought his extensive boxing experience into the matchup against Dodson, whose speed and explosive striking made him a dangerous opponent.
Dodson, a former UFC flyweight title challenger, was looking to add another championship to his combat-sports résumé. However, he was unable to secure the victory over five rounds.
The result moved Herring’s bare-knuckle record to 3-0, while Dodson’s record stood at 4-1-1.
The contest was an important meeting between two experienced combat-sports athletes who had already competed at the highest levels of their respective disciplines.
Tony Soto ends losing streak with knockout
Tony Soto also produced a significant result on the card, stopping Anthony Pike in their lightweight contest.
After a competitive opening round, Soto found his opportunity in the second and finished Pike with a knockout at 40 seconds. The victory offered Soto a welcome result against an opponent who had shown early resistance.
Soto’s experience in bare-knuckle boxing was evident as the fight progressed, and the finish added to an event that featured several decisive stoppages.
Cole Cameron scores first-round knockout
Cole Cameron made an immediate impression with a first-round knockout of Phil Caracappa.
Cameron finished the contest at 1:44 of the opening round, providing one of the evening’s quickest victories. The result also made his performance a standout moment among the undercard bouts.
Elsewhere, Dalvin Blair stopped Paris Boyd with a body-shot knockout, while Santo Curatolo and Dylan Pitt also secured stoppage victories.
What comes next for Jimmie Rivera?
Rivera’s performance at BKFC 95 strengthens his position as an established name in the promotion’s roster. His experience in the UFC and Bellator gives him a recognisable profile, while his ability to deliver highlight-reel finishes makes him an attractive option for future matchups.
At 37, Rivera has continued to compete after moving away from MMA, demonstrating that experienced mixed martial artists can find opportunities in alternative combat-sports formats.
A future matchup against another established BKFC contender could provide a useful test of his progress. However, no next opponent should be considered confirmed until the promotion announces it.
For Meyer, the immediate priority will be recovering from the knockout and assessing his next move following the defeat.
BKFC 95 also demonstrated the appeal of bringing together former UFC fighters and experienced boxers under bare-knuckle rules. With Herring retaining his championship and Rivera delivering a spectacular co-main-event finish, the Newark event provided several talking points for combat-sports fans.
BKFC 95: Full fight card results
Main event
- Jamel Herring defeated John Dodson by unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 49-46) to retain the BKFC bantamweight title.
Co-main event
- Jimmie Rivera defeated Brandon Meyer by knockout, Round 4, 0:46.
Other main-card results
- Tony Soto defeated Anthony Pike by knockout, Round 2, 0:40.
- Santo Curatolo defeated Anthony Yost by knockout, Round 2, 0:37.
- Dalvin Blair defeated Paris Boyd by knockout, Round 1, 1:22.
- Dustin Bailey vs. Noah Getahoun ended in a unanimous draw (28-28 on all three scorecards).
Undercard results
- Cole Cameron defeated Phil Caracappa by knockout, Round 1, 1:44.
- Mike Medrano defeated Rob Emerson by split decision (30-27, 27-30, 29-28).
- Dylan Pitt defeated Nick Saragosa by TKO, Round 1, 0:52.
- Brooke Evans defeated Gabrielle Roman by TKO, Round 2, 1:59.
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