Bare-knuckle boxing veteran Jarod “Kid Gatti” Grant has already cemented his legacy by capturing gold in some of the premier bare-knuckle fighting promotions in the world. However, the decorated pugilist is far from finished adding to his collection. With another championship strap firmly in his crosshairs, Grant’s immediate focus is dialed in on a high-stakes showdown against Luis Guerrero, serving as the headline attraction at BKB: Bally’s Fight Night on October 23rd.
The former interim Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) titleholder and former interim BKB champion discussed his upcoming bout, his career trajectory, and the broader landscape of the sport during an interview at BKB 58 in Miami. Speaking with Bare Knuckle Bowker on August 29th, Grant opened up about the competitive fire that continues to drive him, his thoughts on rival fighters, and his unwavering loyalty to the BKB promotion.
Chasing History and Redemption in the Squared Circle
As Grant prepares to step back into the ring, his career remains interwoven with several prominent figures from the sport, most notably his former opponent John Dodson. The former UFC veteran and BKFC flyweight champion has been a frequent topic of conversation in the combat sports community, particularly around the time of his booking against bantamweight titleholder Jamel Herring in a bid to capture a second division title.
Reflecting on his own high-profile stoppage loss to Dodson at BKFC KnuckleMania III, Grant acknowledged that the shadow of that defeat still lingers in his mind. When asked about the ongoing narrative surrounding Dodson and how a victory in his upcoming campaign might impact his standing, Grant made it clear that avenging past setbacks remains a driving ambition.
“I really feel like this could clean up my face from my former loss with John Dodson,” Grant told Bare Knuckle Bowker.
Beyond his history with Dodson, Grant also addressed the possibility of a redemptive runback with BKB lightweight champion Jon Barnard. Having previously shared the ring with Barnard in a bout that ended in a contentious no contest, Grant believes a rematch is only logical should both competitors continue their active fighting careers.
“Yeah, I mean it would only be fair,” Grant stated. “I gave him a rematch. I gave him a rematch our first fight. Obviously ended in a no contest, but I feel like I obviously was the one that came out clean that fight. But I think it’s only fair like if he’s going to continue fighting, I would think down the line, he would give me a rematch. I definitely would look forward to that.”
Navigating Division Dynamics and Criticisms of Rival Promotions
The lightweight and super featherweight divisions in bare-knuckle boxing continue to generate intense internal rivalries and stylistic matchups. Recently, BKB super featherweight champion Alberto Blas expressed an interest in moving up in weight and potentially leapfrogging Grant to secure an opportunity against the top tier of the division.
When asked about Blas’s ambitions and the chatter surrounding the weight class, Grant maintained a business-first mindset, emphasizing his willingness to face any challenger put in front of him by BKB management.
“If I haven’t proven it already, I take any fight,” Grant quipped. “Just show me the money and I’m fighting them.”
Further elaborating on Blas’s remarks about potentially getting to BKB lightweight champion Jon Barnard first, Grant downplayed any personal animosity or urgency regarding who gets the next title shot, keeping his eyes firmly fixed on his own legacy.
“No, I mean whatever Mel [Valenzuela] wants to do,” Grant said. “I’m moving forward with my career, man. Like I already won the title at 135. I could care less who else gets it. I’m going for a new title now. I want to become a three-time world champion.”
The conversation also turned back to John Dodson and the lengthy periods of inactivity the former UFC star experienced under the BKFC banner prior to his booking against Herring. Having competed across multiple prominent organizations, Grant did not shy away from expressing his candid displeasure regarding how elite talent is sometimes handled in terms of scheduling and promotion.
“I think it’s f*ed up,” Grant remarked bluntly regarding Dodson’s hiatus. “You got a former UFC star that came into Bare Knuckle, won the title, and you guys are not even keeping him active. I mean, it’s just bullst. I feel pity for him as far as him not getting the activity he should get, but it is what it is.”
Drawing a contrast between his experiences fighting for different organizations, Grant highlighted the consistent matchmaking and robust schedule provided by BKB. For a fighter who thrives on staying busy and sharpening his craft through frequent competition, the promotion’s operational model has proven to be an ideal fit.
“Yeah, if you guys could see since the start of my career I’ve been active in my career,” Grant explained. “I’ve been back and forth. They keep me active. I’ve been fighting non-stop. So that’s something I like too.”
Training Discipline and the Prestige of Bare-Knuckle Traditions
Behind the high-profile matchups and championship aspirations lies a rigorous training regimen. When asked about where he currently hones his pugilistic skills, Grant confirmed that he remains deeply rooted in his established training grounds, focusing entirely on the sweet science.
“Yeah. I train at Carter Park, Contenders Boxing Gym,” Grant said, confirming his continued affiliation with Team Slaughterhouse. “So I strictly train boxing only. So that’s just what it is.”
This singular focus on boxing has allowed Grant to navigate the brutal landscape of bare-knuckle fighting with remarkable success. His journey takes on even greater significance when considered alongside the historical prestige of the sport, such as the storied, near-150-year lineage of the Police Gazette diamond belt. When questioned about what it means to have his name interwoven with such iconic historical artifacts and championships, Grant reflected on his humble beginnings.
“Yeah, I mean, listen, I hold all my accomplishments near and dear to me, especially when I came from nothing,” he shared. “I wasn’t supposed to make it this far. Honestly, these accomplishments to me mean a lot.”
The reality of his current standing as a global combat sports star often outpaces the wildest aspirations of his youth. Looking back at how far he has come since his teenage years, Grant admitted that his present life in the spotlight would have seemed completely implausible decades ago.
“No. If you would have told me when I was 17 years old that I would be here and I would be a two-time world champion, fighting on TV, doing all these amazing things. No, I wouldn’t have believed you,” Grant confessed.
As he prepares for the next chapter of his career against Luis Guerrero at BKB: Bally’s Fight Night on October 23rd, "Kid Gatti" remains profoundly appreciative of the sport that changed his life and the organization that provides him with a platform to showcase his talents on the international stage.
“No, Bare Knuckle is amazing,” Grant concluded. “It’s one of the fastest growing sports in the world. BKB is absolutely the best promotion in the world. I love being here and performing for you guys.”
