Julio Alberto Perez Rodriguez: The “Cuban Horse” Enters BKFC 85
Julio Alberto Perez Rodriguez, famously known as the “Cuban Horse”, is set to face Stephen Townsel tonight at Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) 85. The event will take place at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, promising thrilling action for combat sports fans.
Fighter May Have to Compete Without Pay
In a surprising turn of events, Rodriguez revealed he might fight for free. According to a report by Jesse Holland on MMA Mania, a ticket sales mishap caused the issue.
“I gave about 20 tickets to someone who usually sells 20 or 30 for me,” Rodriguez explained in a video on Facebook. “They returned them yesterday without saying anything. I thought they had sold them, as always. Now, since the tickets weren’t sold, I’m going to fight for free.”
Trust and Miscommunication Caused the Setback
Rodriguez emphasized that the problem was miscommunication, not anyone’s bad intent. “I want to make this video without hurting anyone,” he said. “In the end, it’s a favor, but they should have told me earlier so I could have handled the tickets myself.”
The Reality of BKFC Ticket Policies
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship enforces strict ticket quotas for fighters. As Rodriguez noted, “There’s no secret: if you don’t sell tickets, you don’t get paid.” This policy has placed the Latino fighter in a tough position—competing without guaranteed compensation.
Fans Rally Behind Rodriguez
After posting his video, Rodriguez received an outpouring of support online. Fans and fellow fighters urged the promotion to reconsider its policy or help resolve the ticket issue before tonight’s fight.
Julio Rodriguez Shows Dedication
Despite the setback, Julio Rodriguez remains determined to compete. As BKFC 85 begins, all eyes will be on the “Cuban Horse”, facing one of the most challenging fights of his career—both inside and outside the ring.
