Andrew Yates was done fighting – until BKFC came calling.
Yates boasts an impressive record of 12-4 in his professional MMA career. But the former regional champ found himself at a crossroads after his last trip to the cage in 2022.
“I lost a split decision, unfortunately, and it just didn’t make sense to continue fighting after that. I wasn’t having fun with MMA and I own my own business so I didn’t need the money. I was dealing with injuries, having to spend time away from my family, and I was really only fighting for one reason, which was to get to the UFC,” Yates says.
“But then (BKFC Matchmaker) Nate Shook gave me a call and I fell in love with BKFC immediately. This is so much fun.”
Yates needed just 19 seconds to win his bare knuckle fighting debut at BKFC 31. Since then, the Grand Junction, CO product is enjoying a resurgence in his combat sports career in the world-famous BKFC Squared Circle. He’ll hunt for his third BKFC victory against JorDan Christensen at BKFC 67 on Friday at the legendary Denver Coliseum in Denver, CO, LIVE worldwide on The BKFC App.
As a successful businessperson, Yates doesn’t fight for money. However, that’s only partly true.
“This will be a new one for you,” he says with a smile when asked about his goals with BKFC.
“I want to take my check from BKFC, go to a car dealership, drop it all on a new car and keep that car for life. It doesn’t have to be something crazy like a Lamborghini – though that would be sweet (laughs) – but I just want to have an amazing car that I can point to when people ask what I got from my fight.
“I just think that would be so cool.”
