Philadelphia’s own John Garbarino made his Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) debut one to remember, delivering a spectacular first-round knockout victory over Apostle Spencer at KnuckleMania 5. Fighting in front of a record-setting crowd at the Wells Fargo Center, Garbarino lived up to his promise of bringing the intensity and grit that define his fighting style.
“I Was Born for This Moment”
In our pre-fight interview, Garbarino made it clear that stepping into the BKFC ring was not a difficult decision for him.
“This wasn’t a tough decision at all for me or my team. I have been fighting my whole entire life,” he said. “For a fighter, this is the biggest test you could put yourself through. I wanted to see if I was really as good as I believed I was.”
He proved just that, stunning Spencer with relentless pressure before landing a devastating punch in the final seconds of the opening round, sending his opponent to the canvas. The referee stepped in, and Garbarino’s home crowd erupted in celebration.
Representing Philadelphia’s Fighting Spirit
Growing up in South Philadelphia, Garbarino developed a fighter’s mentality from an early age.
“This city taught me to stay with my own, have self-belief, and never quit. It’s a dog-eat-dog world, and it’s either you or them. It’s most certainly not going to be me,” he shared before the fight.
That resilience was on full display at KnuckleMania 5, as he demonstrated both skill and heart in his electrifying BKFC debut.
An Unforgettable Post-Fight Moment
As if the knockout win wasn’t enough, Garbarino made the night even more special by inviting his girlfriend into the ring and proposing to her in front of thousands of fans. The emotional moment, coupled with his dominant performance, quickly went viral, drawing praise from fight fans and even Conor McGregor himself.
“Bare knuckle love, #Shesaidyes. Incredible John Garbarino all the way through, just wow!” McGregor posted on X (formerly Twitter). “That was MAGICAL, John Garbarino! Bravo!”
The Future of BKFC’s Rising Star
Garbarino’s victory and showmanship have already cemented his place as one of the most talked-about fighters in BKFC. Before the fight, he expressed confidence in his future within the promotion.
“I’ve always believed I was meant for something great. BKFC is a great combat league with a giant platform for the world to see me shine. If the crowd wants more, I’ll keep fighting and be the new face of BKFC.”
With a knockout win, a viral proposal, and the backing of a passionate Philadelphia fanbase, John Garbarino’s journey in BKFC is just beginning. Whether he becomes the face of the organization remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—he knows how to put on a show.
