Luis Palomino: The Baboon Who Conquered Two BKFC Divisions
Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Luis Palomino |
| Nickname | Baboon |
| Born | January 28, 1983 |
| Birthplace | Cuba (raised in Peru) |
| Residence | Miami, Florida, USA |
| Weight Classes | Lightweight / Welterweight |
| MMA Record | 26-17 |
| BKFC Record | 11-2 |
| Championships | BKFC Lightweight Champion; BKFC Welterweight Champion; BKFC King of the Streets Champion |
| Notable | First two-division champion in BKFC history |
| Gym | MMA Masters, Miami |
Overview
Luis "Baboon" Palomino is the most accomplished fighter in BKFC history. The Cuban-born, Peru-raised veteran made the transition from a long MMA career to bare knuckle boxing and did not just survive -- he dominated. Palomino became the first fighter in BKFC history to hold championship belts in two weight divisions simultaneously, capturing both the lightweight and welterweight titles and defending them multiple times before suffering his first bare knuckle loss after nine consecutive victories.
His story is the blueprint for what a successful MMA-to-bare-knuckle transition looks like. While many fighters who cross over from MMA struggle with the pure striking format, Palomino thrived in it, using his natural power, technical striking, and iron chin to systematically dismantle the best fighters BKFC has to offer. He is the standard against which all future BKFC champions will be measured.
Background
Cuban Roots, Peruvian Streets
Palomino was born in Cuba and raised on the streets of Peru, an upbringing that forged the toughness and relentless work ethic that would define his fighting career. Growing up rough in a country where combat sports served as both entertainment and survival skill, Palomino developed an early affinity for fighting that would eventually carry him across continents.
He credits his success entirely to hard work, a mantra consistent with the journey of a man who started with nothing and built himself into a two-division world champion through sheer determination.
MMA Foundation
Palomino's combat sports career began in mixed martial arts, where he turned professional on June 24, 2006, debuting in the Absolute Fighting Championship (AFC), a regional promotion based in Florida. Over the next thirteen years, he compiled a professional MMA record of 26-17, competing across multiple organizations and earning a reputation as one of the most dangerous strikers on the regional circuit.
His training pedigree is elite. Palomino spent time at the renowned Jackson Wink MMA Academy, one of the top camps in the world, where he honed his technical striking alongside elite-level competition. He later trained at MMA Masters in Miami under Daniel Valverde, earning his black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and developing the well-rounded skill set that would serve him in both MMA and bare knuckle.
Testing Himself Against the Best
Perhaps the most telling moment of Palomino's MMA career came at WSOF 19 on March 28, 2015, when he challenged Justin Gaethje for the WSOF Lightweight Championship. Gaethje, who would go on to become one of the most feared fighters in the UFC, engaged Palomino in a brutal back-and-forth war before stopping him via TKO in the third round. The fact that Palomino stood in front of a future UFC title challenger and traded with him round after round demonstrated the level of toughness and skill he possessed.
Career
The Bare Knuckle Pivot (2020)
In 2020, Palomino made the decision to transition to bare knuckle boxing with BKFC. Where many fighters treat bare knuckle as a retirement tour, Palomino approached it as a second career. The move proved transformative.
Building the Streak
Palomino's early BKFC career was a masterclass in dominance. He rattled off win after win, establishing himself as the most dangerous man on the roster. His combination of professional-level striking, MMA-forged toughness, and an understanding of distance and timing made him a nightmare for opponents who had never faced someone with his level of experience.
Lightweight Championship
Palomino captured the BKFC Lightweight Championship with a devastating first-minute knockout of Isaac Vallie-Flagg, a victory so emphatic that it immediately established him as the division's apex predator. The speed and violence of the finish sent a clear message to the rest of the roster: this was his division now.
He would go on to defend the lightweight belt multiple times, including a fourth-round TKO of Tom Shoaff at BKFC 34 on December 3, 2022, and a decision victory over James Lilley at BKFC 45, where he showcased technical brilliance over five rounds, consistently working angles and building points while avoiding incoming counters.
Making History: Two-Division Champion
On June 24, 2022, at BKFC 26, Palomino stepped up to welterweight to challenge champion Elvin Brito. Already holding the lightweight belt, a victory would make him the first simultaneous two-division champion in BKFC history. Palomino delivered, outclassing Brito over the full five rounds to win a unanimous decision and etch his name into the record books.
The achievement cannot be overstated. Holding two belts simultaneously in any combat sports promotion requires not just talent but the rare ability to perform at elite levels across different weight classes. Palomino managed six world title defenses across both divisions, a run of sustained excellence unmatched in BKFC history.
The Trout Setback (February 2024)
Every great champion eventually faces adversity. For Palomino, it came at BKFC 57 on February 2, 2024, when he faced former WBA super welterweight world champion Austin Trout for the vacant BKFC welterweight title. Trout, a traditional boxing world champion making his bare knuckle debut, used his superior boxing pedigree and reach to outwork Palomino over five rounds, winning a unanimous decision and handing Baboon his first bare knuckle loss after nine consecutive victories.
The defeat was a reminder that bare knuckle fighting, at its core, is a striking sport, and a fighter with world-class boxing credentials can present unique challenges even for a dominant bare knuckle champion.
The Comeback: King of the Streets (March 2025)
Palomino responded to adversity the way champions do -- by winning. On March 27, 2025, at BKFC 70 in Hollywood, Florida, he defeated Howard Davis by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) to claim the inaugural BKFC King of the Streets Championship, adding yet another title to his already decorated resume and proving that the Trout loss was an anomaly, not a trend.
Fighting Style
Palomino is a natural-born striker with power in both hands and the technical foundation to use it effectively. His MMA background gives him a unique advantage in bare knuckle, where he combines orthodox boxing fundamentals with the aggressive forward pressure and angles more commonly seen in mixed martial arts.
Key elements of his approach include:
- Power punching with precision: Unlike many bare knuckle fighters who rely on volume, Palomino picks his shots carefully, understanding that without gloves, a single clean punch can end a fight.
- Angle work: His movement off the center line allows him to create openings that stationary fighters cannot defend. He does not stand directly in front of opponents and trade; he moves, creates angles, and exploits them.
- Iron chin and recovery: Palomino has absorbed shots from some of the hardest hitters in both MMA and bare knuckle and remained standing. His ability to weather storms and continue pressing forward is a defining characteristic.
- Championship composure: In later rounds, when fatigue sets in and lesser fighters fade, Palomino maintains his technical output and ring intelligence.
His Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, while not directly applicable in bare knuckle, speaks to his overall martial arts intelligence and discipline as a student of combat.
Notable Fights
- vs. Justin Gaethje (WSOF 19, Mar 2015) -- Challenged for the WSOF Lightweight title; lost via TKO in Round 3 in a war
- vs. Isaac Vallie-Flagg (BKFC) -- Won BKFC Lightweight Championship via first-minute KO
- vs. Elvin Brito (BKFC 26, Jun 2022) -- Won BKFC Welterweight Championship by unanimous decision; became first two-division champion in BKFC history
- vs. Tom Shoaff (BKFC 34, Dec 2022) -- Defended lightweight title via fourth-round TKO
- vs. James Lilley (BKFC 45) -- Sixth world title defense; won by technical decision
- vs. Austin Trout (BKFC 57, Feb 2024) -- Lost first bare knuckle bout by unanimous decision to former WBA world champion
- vs. Howard Davis (BKFC 70, Mar 2025) -- Won inaugural BKFC King of the Streets Championship by unanimous decision
Legacy
The Gold Standard
Luis Palomino is the measuring stick for BKFC greatness. His accomplishments -- first two-division champion, multiple title defenses, dominance across two weight classes -- set a standard that may stand for years. He proved that bare knuckle fighting rewards skill and preparation just as much as raw toughness, elevating the sport's credibility in the process.
The MMA-to-Bare-Knuckle Blueprint
While Paige VanZant brought mainstream attention to BKFC, Palomino proved that MMA veterans could not only compete in bare knuckle but dominate it. His success opened the door for other MMA fighters considering the transition, showing that the skills developed in mixed martial arts -- particularly striking precision, distance management, and cage awareness -- translate directly to the bare knuckle ring.
Representing His Roots
As a Cuban-born, Peru-raised fighter competing at the highest level in American combat sports, Palomino carries the flag for Latin American fighters in bare knuckle boxing. His journey from the streets of Peru to simultaneous world championships in two BKFC divisions is one of the great underdog stories in modern combat sports.
A Living Legend
At 43 years old, Palomino continues to compete and win at the highest level, capturing the King of the Streets title in 2025 and showing no signs of slowing down. His longevity across both MMA and bare knuckle boxing speaks to an athlete who has maintained his body, his skills, and his hunger over nearly two decades of professional competition.
FAQ
What is Luis Palomino's BKFC record? Palomino's BKFC record stands at 11-2, with three victories by knockout or TKO and the remainder by decision.
Is Luis Palomino the first two-division BKFC champion? Yes. Palomino made history at BKFC 26 in June 2022 when he defeated welterweight champion Elvin Brito while already holding the lightweight title, becoming the first simultaneous two-division champion in BKFC history.
Where is Luis Palomino from? Palomino was born in Cuba and raised in Peru. He currently resides and trains in Miami, Florida, at MMA Masters.
What was Luis Palomino's MMA record? Palomino compiled a professional MMA record of 26-17 from 2006 to 2019, competing in organizations including WSOF, where he challenged Justin Gaethje for the lightweight championship.
Has Luis Palomino ever lost in BKFC? Yes, Palomino suffered his first BKFC loss to former WBA world champion Austin Trout at BKFC 57 in February 2024 after nine consecutive victories. He also lost a second bout, but bounced back to win the King of the Streets Championship in March 2025.
What is the King of the Streets Championship? The BKFC King of the Streets Championship is an inaugural title that Palomino won in March 2025 by defeating Howard Davis at BKFC 70 in Hollywood, Florida.