Philly Fighters ‘Cannoli’, ‘Brick’, and ‘Grizzly Bear’ Ready to Brawl at KnuckleMania VI
PHILADELPHIA — The Xfinity Mobile Arena is set to host a violent homecoming this Saturday, February 7, as the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) returns to Philadelphia for KnuckleMania VI. While the marquee features a heavyweight title clash between legends Ben Rothwell and Andrei Arlovski, the local crowd’s energy will be squarely focused on a trio of Philadelphia-area fighters looking to defend their turf: John “Johnny Cannoli” Garbarino, Patrick “The Brick” Brady, and Lex “The Grizzly Bear” Ludlow.
Garbarino, a South Philadelphia native known as “Johnny Cannoli,” has become a viral sensation in the sport, not just for his 3-0 record but for a chaotic weigh-in incident at last year’s KnuckleMania V where he slapped an opponent with a cannoli. He returns to the middleweight division to face Kaine Tomlinson Jr. in what is expected to be a high-volume striking battle. Garbarino has publicly stated that fighting in his hometown is the pinnacle of his career, describing the atmosphere at the former Wells Fargo Center as electric.
In the heavyweight division, Patrick “The Brick” Brady looks to extend his undefeated streak against Bear Hill. Brady, a blue-collar fighter who transitioned from MMA to the bare-knuckle squared circle, has quickly become a fan favorite for his durability and aggression. Adding to the spectacle, Brady has recruited popular comedian and Philadelphia Eagles superfan Shane Gillis to accompany him for his ring walk, ensuring the crowd will be at a fever pitch before the first punch is thrown.
Rounding out the local charge is Lex “The Grizzly Bear” Ludlow, who is slated to fight Zach Calmus in a cruiserweight preliminary bout. Ludlow, who carries a 2-0 record, has engaged in a war of words with Calmus leading up to the event, promising to send his opponent “back to the shelter.” The prelims will set the tone for a night that BKFC President David Feldman has promised will be the promotion’s biggest event of 2026.
The brutally honest reality of bare-knuckle
As BKFC continues its rapid expansion into the mainstream sports world, it faces persistent criticism regarding fighter safety. The visual nature of bare-knuckle boxing is often more gruesome than traditional gloved boxing or MMA; without the padding of gloves, fighters frequently sustain deep facial lacerations and broken hands.
However, proponents of the sport argue that the lack of gloves actually makes it safer for the brain. The argument, supported by some early medical data from the promotion, suggests that because fighters cannot throw full-force punches as recklessly without risking hand injuries, the rate of concussions and long-term traumatic brain injury (CTE) may be lower than in gloved boxing, where the head can be pummeled repeatedly with less immediate pain to the attacker’s hands. Critics remain skeptical, pointing to the sheer brutality of the facial damage as a reason for concern, but the sport’s regulatory acceptance in states like Pennsylvania signals a shift in perception.
A stacked card for Philadelphia
Beyond the local attractions, KnuckleMania VI offers a deep card for combat sports enthusiasts. The main event sees “Big” Ben Rothwell defending his heavyweight strap against former UFC champion Andrei Arlovski. The co-main event features a highly anticipated catchweight bout between two of the organization’s top champions, Lorenzo Hunt and David Mundell.
In a move to combat “subscription fatigue” among fans, BKFC has announced that the entire KnuckleMania VI event will be streamed live and free globally via the BKFC app, YouTube, and various partners including DAZN and Fubo Sports. The prelims begin at 5 p.m. ET, with the main card kicking off at 7 p.m. ET.
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