BKFC Bantamweight Champ Johnny Bedford retires: "I went all in, so it’s nice to leave on top"

BKFC Bantamweight Champ Johnny Bedford retires: "I went all in, so it’s nice to leave on top"

Wednesday, Dec 28 2022 by BKFC Staff

BKFC World Bantamweight Champion Johnny Bedford is calling it a career. 

Bedford boasts a record of 6-1 in the BKFC Squared Circle, and is the most dominant bantamweight fighter in the organization’s history.

Bedford is currently ranked fourth on the BKFC Pound-for-Pound rankings. “Brutal” most recently fought in the Main Event of BKFC 20 in 2021, when he defeated Reggie Barnett Jr. for the vacant bantamweight title.

A true pioneer of bare knuckle fighting, Bedford made his Squared Circle debut at BKFC 1 in 2018, when he earned the first of three stoppage victories under the BKFC banner.

It’s cliche, Bedford admits with a chuckle, but he’s leaving the sport on his own terms.

“I’m in a position where I don’t have to fight anymore. I’ve been very smart with my money, and BKFC has paid me a fair wage. I’m very happy,” Bedford says.

Bedford says fighting is easy and a whole lot of fun. If it was just throwing hands, Bedford says he’d be thrilled to jump on BKFC 35. But undergoing a grueling, eight-week training camp away from his young family isn’t of interest anymore to Bedford, who turns 40 on Jan. 6.

“I had to be honest with myself, and honest with the company, and it was just time.” 

Before Bedford took the BKFC bantamweight division by storm, he enjoyed a long MMA career, sporting a record of 23-14-1, 1 NC, including nine bouts under the UFC banner.

Bedford thanks the BKFC for giving him the opportunity to end his combat sports career with the world’s fastest growing promotion, and he’s proud of himself for taking full advantage of his opportunities in the Squared Circle.

“I’m happy with what I've accomplished and I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished. I’m grateful for my time with BKFC,” he says.

“It’s corny, like that meme that’s going around – “I want to thank me” – but it’s true. I was a stubborn (expletive) kid that decided he was going to fight professionally. I moved halfway across the country by myself with my new family, and I went all in. 

“I bought diapers with fighting. I paid rent by fighting. I went all in, so it’s nice to leave on top.”

Check out our Events page for the next BKFC event in your area, and keep up to date on all the happenings in the Squared Circle with the new and improved BKFC app.