Written by (WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES BELOW!)
The BKFC 78 co-main event ended abruptly after a fighter suffered a severed ear lobe.
The promotion returned to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Saturday for a 12-fight slate, and in the co-headliner, Andrew Strode faced Gee Perez. After the second round, the ringside doctor called the bout off after Perez’s left ear lobe was hanging down prior to the start of the third round. While many believed it should’ve been a TKO win for Strode, it was ruled a No Contest. BKFC said in their explanation on social media that the Florida Athletic Commission made the ruling.
Check out the photo and video of Perez’s nasty ear injury, and the moment the fight was stopped.
(WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES BELOW!)
Following a wave-off due to ear injury, the Florida Athletic Commission ruled a NO CONTEST in the Co-Main.#BKFC78 | Live NOW on BKFC+ pic.twitter.com/Lz6CBK597V
— Bare Knuckle FC (@bareknucklefc) July 13, 2025
Perez didn’t get the win, but his unbeaten streak was extended to four fights. “The Cutman” entered the bout on a three-fight win streak overall in combat sports, and winning back-to-back BKFC bouts following a TKO loss to Bryce Hall at BKFC 48 in August 2023.
Strode was looking to remain undefeated in BKFC in his fourth promotional bout. It was Strode’s third fight since October where he earned a stoppage win in October, along with a decision win in his prior contest in February.