At last weekend’s Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship event in Miami, FL Francesco Ricchi beat Noah Cutter by third round TKO to go 2-0 in the promotion. After the bout Ricchi was hospitalized and has since been placed in a medically induced coma.
News about Ricchi’s health became public knowledge after his opponent Cutter released a statement on social media. In his post Cutter wrote:
“Prayers and best wishes to my opponent Francesco. I’ve been informed he’s in the hospital in a medically induced coma due to bleeding in his lungs from a hematoma in his trachea due to a throat punch during the fight. Obviously accidental. We come out here to hurt each other but I never want to see this for an opponent. Prayers from my family. Heal up.”
After Cutter released this information BKFC President David Feldman issued a statement to MMA Fighting.
That statement read:
“First and foremost our thoughts are with Francesco and his family at this time as we pray for a quick and full recovery. The injury did not deter Francesco from a victorious result on Friday night but complications during the surgery at the hospital have resulted in a greater issue to his health.”
Ricchi, 26, came to BKFC from the world of MMA, where he had a 1-0 pro record and a 2-2 amateur record. A native of Italy, Ricchi lives and fights out of Fort Lauderdale, Fl.