Willie Gates Scores Vicious First-Round KO Over Brandon
Willie Gates delivered one of the most violent finishes of the night at BKFC 76, knocking out Brandon Meneses in just 1 minute and 24 seconds of the opening round. The bantamweight clash, held on June 21, 2025, at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, ended with a thunderous right hand that sent Meneses crashing to the canvas and the crowd into a frenzy.
Gates Unleashes Brutal Power Early
Gates (1-0 BKFC), a former UFC veteran known for his explosive striking, wasted no time asserting his dominance. From the opening bell, he stalked Meneses (0-1 BKFC) with calculated aggression, cutting off the ring and firing heavy shots to the body and head.
Midway through Round 1, Gates timed a perfect counter right hook that landed flush on Meneses’ jaw. The impact was immediate—Meneses dropped hard, and the referee waved off the bout without a count, awarding Gates the KO victory at 1:24.
A Ruthless Debut for Gates
The win marked Gates’ debut in bare-knuckle competition, and he made it count. His blend of experience, speed, and raw power translated seamlessly into the BKFC format, instantly positioning him as a threat in the bantamweight division.
What’s Next for Gates?
With a highlight-reel knockout and a wave of momentum, Gates is expected to return in early 2026 against a ranked opponent. BKFC matchmakers are reportedly considering a clash with John Dodson or a potential showdown with Reggie Barnett Jr., both of which could serve as title eliminators.
Meneses, despite the loss, showed heart and will likely be given another opportunity to rebound in the promotion.
BKFC 76 Highlights
- Ben Bonner def. Tony Soto – Unanimous Decision
- Andrei Arlovski def. Josh Copeland – TKO (Doctor Stoppage), Round 4
- Jessica Eye def. Mariya Agapova – Unanimous Decision
- Kenzie Morrison def. Alex Davis – TKO, Round 1
- JC Deleon def. Ruben Warr – TKO (Retirement), Round 3
- Anthony Garrett def. Haze Wilson – TKO, Round 1
- Rodney Hinton def. Darren Whitney – Unanimous Decision
- Jake Heffernan def. Paco Castillo – TKO, Round 1
- Willie Gates def. Brandon Meneses – KO, Round 1 (1:24)
- Cameron Delano def. Jesse Desrosier – TKO, Round 3
- Jeremy Sauceda def. Israel Rodriguez – TKO, Round 1
- Roderick Stewart def. James Gray – Unanimous Decision
Final Word
Willie Gates’ savage knockout of Brandon Meneses was a reminder of the unforgiving nature of bare-knuckle fighting. With one punch, Gates announced his arrival—and the bantamweight division may never be the same.
