Michael “Papa G” Larrimore smashed his way back into the win column at BKFC Fight Night Clearwater.

In Larrimore’s first fight since tasting defeat in the BKFC Squared Circle for the first time, he needed just 86 seconds to stop Ace Samples at the sold-out OCC Roadhouse & Museum in Larrimore’s hometown of Clearwater, FL, LIVE worldwide on The BKFC App. Hungry to make a statement, Larrimore sent Samples to the canvas four times en route to the first-round TKO.

Larrimore released a quick sigh of relief after his win was official, effectively turning the page on his first-round loss to former BKFC World Bantamweight Champion Keith Richardson in the Main Event of BKFC 69 in December.

Larrimore’s loss to Richardson temporarily upended his BKFC career. A defeat like that could easily alter a lesser fighter’s trajectory in a deep weight class like BKFC’s stacked bantamweight division. 

That wasn’t the case for Larrimore, who doubled down on his faith after encountering major adversity for the first time in his BKFC career.

“I got too caught up in the moment, and I took my eyes off of the Lord. (The loss) was a good thing because it really stoked the fire beneath me, professionally and personally,” Larrimore says. “My flame wasn’t dead, but the loss forced me to be a lot more focused and grateful for what I do have.”

Larrimore is taking his return to the win column in stride.

“I’m grateful for the victory, but I’ve still got a lot of work to do,” he says.

“I’m super, super grateful and excited, but I’ve already got the itch to get another one on the books,” he adds. “I’m staying on (BKFC Matchmaker Nate Shook), because I want to keep my momentum building.”