Harry Gigliotti: Vacating BKB Belt, BKFC debut, and Kai Stewart Call Out

Harry Gigliotti is set to make an anticipated transition from BKB to BKFC, with his promotional debut just days away. The former BKB champion recently vacated his belt to pursue this new chapter, stepping into the ring on March 28th for BKFC Fight Night: Mohegan Sun.

Reflecting on his path to facing Timmy Mason in Connecticut, Harry Gigliotti shared, "I unfortunately had to vacate the Police Gazette title and part ways with BKB, but many new opportunities are emerging. I believe this BKFC debut will be beneficial for my future. Timmy Mason will have a significant challenge on March 28th."

The 30-year-old expressed respect for BKB, clarifying that his move was simply "business" as he begins a multi-fight agreement with BKFC later this week.

Even before his first bout in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, the ex-BKB Police Gazette champion has already set his sights on BKFC's 145-pound titleholder, Kai Stewart. Gigliotti stated, "I'm incredibly excited. I think Kai Stewart also has a lot to contend with... Hopefully, by summer, I'll secure my title shot, depending on how this debut unfolds. But as I said, Timmy Mason has a lot on his plate on March 28th, and I'm focused on marketing this fight and looking towards bigger things."

Intriguingly, Gigliotti was scheduled to defend his BKB title against Estevan Partida, and now he's fighting for BKFC on the very same day that BKB 52 is taking place – March 28th.

When asked about the quick shift from preparing for a BKB title defense to making his BKFC debut, Harry Gigliotti remarked, "Now I'm obviously fighting a southpaw, whereas I was going to fight an orthodox opponent. So, my training regimen, especially sparring, has changed considerably. However, the game plan remains the same: be ready, fight my fight, and stay calm and collected. I believe Timmy Mason is a tougher opponent than Estevan Partida, who I think was still in a developmental stage."

He continued, "Timmy is experienced and possesses a strong boxing IQ and background. He performed quite well, even dropping Jimmie Rivera in his last fight, which he took on short notice. So, I'm not underestimating him; I know he's the real deal. But, as I've said, this is the right stepping stone fight for me to build my name and promote myself."

Gigliotti clarified his decision to leave BKB: "Right now, Timmy Mason is the correct step in my career. I still want to fight Estevan; a part of me always will, because now people are obviously speculating, 'Oh, he pulled out because he was scared.' It's not true; I pulled out for marketing and business reasons, to be realistic. I won't go into details, but it simply is what it is at that point. If he came to BKFC, it would be no different; I'd still fight Estevan."

He added, "I would love to make that fight happen. But my eyes are on the prize, man, trying to meet Conor McGregor, promoting myself, building my platform and content. I believe I have the right fight for me. So, I have to do what's right for my career from a business perspective. But let's get past Timmy Mason first, then we can talk about other things. I am not looking past Timmy Mason."

"I'll have to make my adjustments. I'm fighting in a circle, not the Trigon, and I think this will give me enough space to apply my boxing IQ."

Harry Gigliotti’s transition from BKB has been seemingly smooth, and he now faces a seasoned opponent in his BKFC debut.

As he prepares to face Timmy Mason, who is familiar with the BKFC circuit and has fought names like Jimmie Rivera and Brandon Allen, Gigliotti analyzed the matchup: "Brandon Allen was also underrated, I think. The only time he's realistically been stopped was by 'HD' Howard Davis, who is one of the bigger names in BKFC and a buddy of mine from a well-rounded boxing background. Brandon Allen is tough; I would fight him down the line too."

He pondered, "Did Timmy get stopped by Brandon Allen? No... Going three rounds with Brandon Allen and dropping Jimmie Rivera, who has been around forever in UFC and elsewhere – I cannot take this guy lightly. He's heavy-handed and fights well with his boxing pedigree. He comes in heavy with left hands. I will say I don't think he's fought anyone at my caliber yet, when it comes to picking and choosing and plotting. But it's fighting, man; one shot can change the whole dynamic. So, I plan on weathering whatever storm he brings. I plan on giving the crowd everything I've shown in the past and reiterating it here at BKFC."