Bare knuckle fighter Francesco Ricchi in medically induced coma stemming from injuries sustained at BKFC 14

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…

By: Tim Bissell | 3 years ago
Bare knuckle fighter Francesco Ricchi in medically induced coma stemming from injuries sustained at BKFC 14
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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.

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Tim Bissell
Tim Bissell

Tim Bissell is a writer, editor and deputy site manager for Bloody Elbow. He has covered combat sports since 2015. Tim covers news and events and has also written longform and investigative pieces. Among Tim's specialties are the intersections between crime and combat sports. Tim has also covered head trauma, concussions and CTE in great detail.

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