What a year it’s been for Justin Ibarrola.
The 26-year-old Delray Beach, FL fighter needed only 14 months to go from a fresh-faced rookie to a bonafide contender in BKFC’s stacked bantamweight division.
On Friday at BKFC 62, the red-hot Ibarolla smashed his way to 4-0 with a second-round TKO victory over Rick Caruso at the sold-out Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL.
“I didn’t think I’d go this far with BKFC, honestly,” the unbeaten Ibarrola admits with a laugh after his latest win. “I really just wanted to do it to experience the sport. I didn’t really plan on pursuing it, but here we are four fights later.”
Now, following back-to-back stoppage victories, Ibarrola is the No. 3 contender in BKFC’s bustling 135-pound division. He’s looking to return to the Squared Circle when BKFC returns to Hollywood’s Hard Rock on Sept. 13. If all goes according to his plan, his sophomore year in the Squared Circle will be even more impressive than his rookie campaign.
“I’d love a title shot next, but I’m willing to fight whoever I have to to get there,” he says.
“I’m very interested in fighting (Alberto Blas) now that he has the title. I’ll fight (Ryan Reber) because he’s the No. 1 contender. Kai Stewart can get it – whether I go up or he comes down. There’s definitely no shortage of interesting fights.”
