Franco Tenaglia is no longer the BKFC Lightweight Champion.
One-half of last October’s epic title fight with Tony Soto, which the BKFC billed as the most vicious fight in combat sports history, Argentina’s Franco Tenaglia won the vacant title over the distance in a gritty majority decision.
Watching a five-round war inside a bull-fighting ring in Marbella, Spain, BKFC part-owner Conor McGregor agreed to double the purse for both fighters because of their performances.
Seven months later, Tenaglia and Soto were scheduled to rematch in the main event of BKFC 76 this Saturday in Fort Worth, Texas.
However, days out from the event, visa issues forced the champion, Tenaglia, to withdraw from his first title defense.
‘Loco’ Soto is now set to take on England’s Ben Bonner in the BKFC headliner with much more on the line as of this week.
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BKFC strips Franco Tenaglia, Tony Soto vs. Ben Bonner promoted to interim title fight
On Thursday, BKFC President David Feldman confirmed Tenaglia is no longer the BKFC champion, saying there’s a chance the Argentinian may be involved in a four-man lightweight championship tournament.
As for this weekend’s new main event, Soto vs. Bonner has been promoted to an interim title fight.
“We couldn’t take this opportunity from Tony Soto,” Feldman said at the BKFC Texas press conference.
“The winner of this fight will be entered into a four-man tournament for the 155 lb championship.
“We’re gonna put a nice prize on top of that and make these guys happy.”
Soto chimed in on Tenaglia’s removal as champion.
“Gotta show up to fight,” Soto said of his lightweight rival.
Tony Soto and Ben Bonner shove each other in first face-off
Tony Soto’s opponent might have changed for Saturday, but his plan hasn’t. Soto wants to break Ben Bonner.
Soto and Bonner had a war of words at the BKFC press conference, even drawing the attention of featherweight champion Kai Stewart who was in attendance.
When it came to the face-offs, the main event nearly came to blows after Soto shoved Bonner after his opponent pressed his head into his.
Bonner tried to push Soto back but security quickly got between the two fighters, who apparently can’t wait until Saturday night, especially now that the interim title is on the line.