Jared Warren isn’t letting anything stand between him and his first BKFC title defense — not even a pair of massive storms.
Warren is preparing to defend his BKFC World Light-Heavyweight Title against Mike Richman in the Main Event of BKFC's return to DAZN on Dec. 21 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL.
Training camp isn’t easy at the best of times, but this fall the lifelong Tampa, FL resident had to contend with the natural devastation of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.
Helene, a Category 4 hurricane, flooded Warren’s home and he lost all of his possessions. Less than two weeks later, Warren and his partner — fellow BKFC star Crystal Pittman — had to evacuate again following the abrupt touchdown of Milton, a Category 5 hurricane.
“I’ve never experienced anything like that before,” Warren says.
“We had to evacuate through my window because we couldn’t open the doors due to the water pressure. Crystal handed me the dogs and the cat, and I put them in the truck. Thankfully my truck was just big enough to make it out of our neighbourhood, which looked like a lake at that point.”
Warren, Pittman and their pets bounced between hotels until a friend allowed them to stay in their RV. Warren has balanced the most important training camp of his life with having to restore their flooded home.
Warren — or any other fighter — could hardly be blamed for perhaps wanting to postpone their fight, but he says the thought never crossed his mind.
“We’re going to be ready to go when it’s game time,” he says.
“Nobody likes it when somebody pulls out of a fight,” he adds. “It does happen, but I think you should only pull out of a fight when you’re dealing with a very, very serious injury, or maybe a death in your family and you’re totally unable to concentrate. My situation does suck, but it’s ultimately just my house at the end of the day. I can still breathe, think, move and exercise.”
That being said, Warren says his less-than-ideal circumstances are going to make having the belt around his waist even sweeter.
“It’s going to be amazing,” he says with a smile.
“Fighting and competing with BKFC is what keeps me happy and motivated.”
