Howard “HD” Davis wasn’t at his best in the Squared Circle on Saturday at BKFC 78.

“I weighed in almost five pounds under the limit because I was battling the flu in the last days of my training camp. It was really hard to keep my weight up, and I felt horrible,” Davis says.

“I almost pulled out of the fight, but I was able to pull through and everything worked out, which is all thanks to God.”

Despite his illness, the Broward County, FL product dug deep to edge out the previously undefeated Drako Rodriguez in their lightweight bout on Saturday at the sold-out Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, FL. With the victory, Howard returned to the win column and upped his BKFC record to 9-3-1 — but it didn’t come easily.

“I didn’t have my typical speed or power, so I just had to gut it out and I fight my way through it,” Davis says.

“I also broke my hand in the first round.”

Howard is his own toughest critic. He’s never satisfied, but he can surely take pride in the fact that he was able to overcome a number of obstacles when the lights were brightest.

“This time I had a lot going against me, but with God by my side, I can get through anything,” says Howard, who's now eyeing a rematch with undefeated BKFC World Featherweight Champion Kai Stewart.

“I was so exhausted after this fight that I collapsed backstage; I put absolutely everything I have into getting that win.”