Bekhzod Usmonov is leading the charge for Tajikistan in the world-famous BKFC Squared Circle.
At BKFC 43 in 2023, Usmonov became the European nation's first athlete to compete under the BKFC banner. Now, the proud Kurkat, Tajikistan product is working tirelessly to become his country’s first BKFC World Champion.
“I get messages every day from people in Tajikistan; they’re very, very interested in this new and exciting sport, and they show me a lot of support in my career. Also, there are a lot of fighters from Tajikistan fighting in bare knuckle fights in Russia who would do amazing in BKFC,” he says.
“The sport is growing very, very fast overseas.”
All of Usmonov’s BKFC bouts have so far been in the United States. That trend continues this month when the Jackson Wink fighter takes on former BKFC World Bantamweight Champion Keith Richardson in the Main Event of BKFC Fight Night: Albuquerque on Feb. 28, LIVE worldwide on The BKFC App from the famed Kiva Auditorium in Albuquerque, NM.
Usmonov would love to fight on BKFC’s forthcoming premiere in Australia, where he once lived. His ultimate goal is to bring BKFC to Tajikistan. For now, Usmonov is focused on the task at hand: Richardson.
“This fight is extremely important to me,” he says.
“Beating the former Champion, especially a fighter like Keith Richardson, puts me in a great position at the top of the BKFC bantamweight division. I want to bring the belt home this year, and I have to win this fight to do that.”
