Third time's a charm for new BKFC champ Reggie Barnett Jr.: "I never gave up"

Third time's a charm for new BKFC champ Reggie Barnett Jr.: "I never gave up"

Tuesday, Jul 26 2022 by BKFC Staff

The third time was a charm for Reggie Barnett Jr.

On Saturday – in his third shot at a BKFC belt – Barnett Jr. defeated the champ Jarod Grant by technical decision to lay claim to the BKFC World Interim Bantamweight Championship for the first time, LIVE on the BKFC app.

“I never gave up in the face of adversity; I just continued to work hard. If that doesn’t inspire people, I don’t know what will,” the newly crowned champ offered with a laugh. “I’m just trying to be the best version of myself every day, and always moving forward.” 

The only two losses on Barnett’s bare knuckle fighting resume came in BKFC World Championship bouts. Although the defeats were heartbreaking at the time, Barnett says they were laying the foundation for Saturday’s victory in Tampa, FL.

“The first title fight, I got my ass kicked. It is what it is. The second fight, I really thought I did enough, but it didn’t go my way. I had the weight of the world on my shoulders. After that, I spent some time away from the gym and I got really depressed,” Barnett said. 

“Luckily, God has put some amazing people in my life, and they helped me get through that difficult moment. I got back to training, and I realized that the only person who could beat me is myself.” 

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