BKFC 89: Herring vs. Larrimore Brings Vacant Bantamweight Gold to Palm Desert

BKFC 89 takes place on Friday, 22 May 2026, at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, California, with the vacant BKFC Bantamweight Championship on the line in the main event. Former WBO super featherweight champion Jamel Herring faces Michael Larrimore in a headline fight that carries real history-making potential.

Main Event

Jamel Herring enters the bout with just one BKFC appearance, but his background as a world champion boxer makes him one of the most intriguing additions to the bare-knuckle scene. He now has the chance to become a two-sport world champion, which would be a major achievement even by BKFC standards.

Michael Larrimore, meanwhile, brings a 3-1 BKFC record and a reputation as an explosive finisher. After a one-year layoff, he returns to the spotlight with a chance to claim vacant gold and spoil Herring’s championship bid.

Co-Main Event

The co-main event features Cody Vidal against Jomi Escoboza in a light heavyweight bout. That fight adds more power to the top of the card and should fit the aggressive style BKFC fans expect.

With bare-knuckle action, the co-main could easily become one of the night’s most volatile matchups. Both men have the opportunity to make a statement before the championship main event.

Main Card Depth

BKFC 89 is packed with a strong mix of heavy hitters and experienced names. Chase Gormley vs. Levi da Costa brings heavyweight action, while Keith Richardson vs. Devon Schwan adds cruiserweight firepower.

Other bouts include David Diaz vs. Anthony Sanchez and Daniel Alvarez vs. Jared Lennon at bantamweight, Ryan Petersen vs. Daniel Keepers and Evgeny Kurdanov vs. Eric Lopez at welterweight, plus Iman Williams vs. Cody Kerr at cruiserweight. Heavyweight fights between Eric Soto and Pernell Stevens, and a welterweight bout between Steven Sainsbury and Ernie Juarez, round out a loaded card.

What To Watch

The headline story is whether Herring can translate his boxing pedigree into bare-knuckle championship success. If he can manage the distance and keep Larrimore from turning it into a chaotic fight, he has a real path to the belt.

Larrimore’s explosiveness makes this a dangerous assignment for the former world champion. If he gets the fight into a firefight early, he could derail Herring’s two-sport title chase and take the vacant bantamweight crown himself.