Doug Coltrane is preparing to face Maki Pitolo at BKFC Honolulu on April 11th, marking his return to the bare-knuckle ring after a significant hiatus. Coltrane expressed his readiness for the bout, stating that despite personal challenges last year that forced him to decline a prior fight opportunity, he has since resolved those issues and dedicated himself to rigorous training. “I’m ready to fight right now,” he affirmed.
Coltrane recounted the serendipitous turn of events that led to this main event in a new market for BKFC. He initially accepted a fight in Denver against a highly ranked opponent, which subsequently fell through. Following this, he was connected with the promoters for the Hawaii card and was surprised to learn that it would be the main event. He admitted he didn’t initially know who Maki Pitolo was, but now recognizes the compelling narrative that has unfolded around the matchup.
He views the fight as a captivating story: a seasoned BKFC veteran (himself) clashing with a former UFC veteran (Pitolo). Both fighters are returning from layoffs and have experienced recent losses, adding another layer of intrigue to the contest. Coltrane commended the matchmakers for orchestrating what he considers a truly “good main event.”
Delving further into his opponent, Coltrane acknowledged Pitolo as an experienced MMA fighter with a background in the UFC. He believes Pitolo is looking to establish his presence in BKFC, noting that fighters with a UFC pedigree often gain rapid traction due to their existing name recognition. However, Coltrane sees this as his prime opportunity to make a definitive statement by defeating Pitolo. He intends to demonstrate that “UFC is just a business” and that bare-knuckle boxing is an entirely distinct sport. “I’m excited to show everybody that UFC is just a business. When I beat him on April 11, everybody’s going to see that. This is a different sport,” Coltrane declared, eager to prove his point and cement his legacy.