Yampier Ramirez explains MMA exit ahead of BKB 58 fight in Miami

Yampier Ramirez, 22, will take a 4-0 bare-knuckle record into his BKB 58 meeting with Tristian Harrison on August 29 in Miami. The Cuban fighter says he moved away from MMA because he wants fights to remain on the feet.

Ramirez and Harrison are scheduled to meet in a super lightweight bout at the James L. Knight Center. Ramirez, who is based in Hialeah, Florida, has finished all four of his BKB victories inside the distance.

His frustration with MMA is linked to what follows a strike. Ramirez said opponents would often respond to punches by taking the contest to the ground, a part of the sport he did not enjoy. Bare-knuckle fighting gives him the exchanges he prefers, with both men required to work in close-range striking.

Ramirez began his BKB career by stopping Kendell Ward in the opening round in August 2024. He then recorded another first-round TKO against Trey Howard before stopping former champion Brandon Birr in the second round.

In March, Ramirez claimed the vacant BKB featherweight title by ending the unbeaten run of Ashley Williams in round two. His four BKB wins are listed as Ward, Howard, Birr and Williams. He also entered bare-knuckle competition with a 7-0 professional boxing record.

Born and raised in Havana, Ramirez has built his fighting career in South Florida. He has said he started fighting at six and wants to represent Cuba at the highest level possible. BKB 58 will be headlined by Cuban heavyweight champion Gustavo Trujillo against Mark O’Neil, while Yuriorkis Gamboa, Aspen Ladd and Alberto Blas are also scheduled to compete.