Julian Lane is aging like a fine wine.
“You ain’t lying,” the battle-tested Lane says with a laugh. “I tell myself that almost every day.”
A true pioneer of bare knuckle fighting, Lane made his promotional debut at BKFC 4 in 2019. Classic battles with iconic fighters like “Platinum” Mike Perry, David “Redneck” Mundell and Thiago “Pitbull” Alves made Lane an instant favorite in the Squared Circle. Although always tenacious and exciting to BKFC fans, Lane struggled to string wins together earlier in his bare knuckle fighting career.
Now, five years since his BKFC debut, the 37-year-old Mansfield, OH product brings an impressive three-fight winning streak into his Main Event showdown with Cameron VanCamp on Saturday, LIVE globally on DAZN from the legendary Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT.
The biggest reason for Lane’s recent surge up the rankings, he says, is maturity.
“Less fun and more work,” he offers, smiling. “I’ve been taking my training very seriously. Training harder and just going with the flow, man.”
Lane is in awe of BKFC’s growth in recent years. Hot on the heels of the biggest event in BKFC history — KnuckleMania V on Saturday at the sold-out Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia — he’s eager to steal the show at Mohegan Sun. It’s a crucial step in his mission to win the BKFC World Welterweight Championship in 2025.
Lane’s journey hasn’t been easy. He says that fact will make his title reign that much sweeter.
“That’s always been my goal. Every time I fight, I always want to be the best in the world. With what I’ve been through — the ups and the downs — this will show people that anything is possible if you set your mind to it and you work hard,” Lane says.
“The new me is here,” he adds, “and I’m coming straight for the belt.”
