A review of Jorge Masvidal's Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA event featured two Russian competitors with mixed results. Nikolai Kovalenko (11-2), known from RCC and Titans productions, dominated early before tiring and losing by disqualification. Denis Petrov (1-1) secured a knockout victory despite nearly being finished himself. The event also featured former UFC fighters including Anthony Smith, who returned from retirement with a fully blacked-out arm tattoo to defeat Chase Sherman. Luis Pena won by submission after a groin strike, Thiago Santos controlled his opponent, and Ray Cooper III delivered the event's only spectacular knockout. Overall, the reviewer found the event disappointing with mediocre production quality and mostly lackluster fights.
Jorge Masvidal's Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA promotion returned with a new event that drew a pair of Russian competitors alongside several familiar names from the UFC ranks, though the overall card left at least one reviewer unimpressed with both the production and the action inside the cage.
Nikolai Kovalenko, carrying an 11-2 record built largely through RCC and Titans promotions, showed early promise before his conditioning gave way, ultimately losing by disqualification after controlling the opening stages of his fight. Denis Petrov, now 1-1 in his young professional career, managed to secure a knockout win despite being pushed to the edge of a stoppage himself — a turbulent performance that nonetheless ended in his favor.
Among the former UFC veterans on the card, Anthony Smith was the most notable presence. "Lionheart," who is 37 years old and holds a 38-22 professional record, came out of retirement to compete, arriving with a fully blacked-out arm tattoo that drew attention. The six-foot-four light heavyweight, currently ranked fifteenth in that division, defeated Chase Sherman, another six-foot-four heavyweight known as "The Vanilla Gorilla." Sherman, 36, fights out of Jackson-Wink MMA and owns a 16-12 record, bringing a striking output of over six significant strikes per minute to the bareknuckle format.
Luis Pena, "Violent Bob Ross," picked up a submission victory after a groin strike disrupted the flow of his bout. The six-foot-three southpaw from American Top Team Sunrise carries a 9-3 record and averages more than one submission attempt per fifteen minutes, making the finish consistent with his established grappling tendencies. Thiago Santos controlled his opponent throughout his contest, while Ray Cooper III provided the evening's lone highlight-reel moment with the card's only clean knockout.
Why it matters
- Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA continues to attract veteran UFC names, raising the promotion's profile even on cards with uneven action
- Anthony Smith's return from retirement in a non-UFC setting signals an active market for experienced light heavyweights outside the major organizations
- Production quality concerns noted by reviewers could affect the promotion's longer-term audience growth
