Henry Corrales will collide with Ihor Blazhenko at BKB 56 on July 18th. The previous Bellator MMA stalwart was presupposed to tackle Matt Terry, and when requested if the substitute opponent was an incredible deal totally different stylistically, Corrales mentioned [via Bare Knuckle Bowker],
“I prefer it somewhat bit extra stylistically. The man’s my top, about the identical measurement. The opposite man was somewhat bit larger. Extra of a padded file, however yeah, it needs to be good.”
‘Okay’ Corrales is making his naked knuckle debut right here and touching upon how gloveless fight obtained on his radar earlier than signing this multi-fight cope with BKB Naked Knuckle Boxing, Corrales acknowledged [via Bare Knuckle Bowker],
“Yeah, man. I’m fairly enthusiastic about that. Dude, properly, the second I noticed it on TV, I used to be like, what? They’re paying dudes for this. I used to be like, I gotta get certainly one of these finally. I obtained get certainly one of these finally. The matchmaker, his title is Mel [Valenzuela]. He’s from LA, too. We simply know of one another. We simply obtained on the cellphone and simply made a deal occur. It was fairly cool. Tremendous simple to work with and so they’re actually enthusiastic about having me on, which makes me actually excited. It’s on.”
Whereas this can be a new skilled endeavour, the California native is returning to the nascent days of his preventing journey in some ways, as Corrales quipped [via Bare Knuckle Bowker],
“Yeah. Nicely, dude, it’s my first martial artwork. So, I’m pumped to get again to my roots, ? It’s the smallest fight ring and it’s simply you possibly can clinch, you possibly can soiled field, and I’m similar to, dude, that is excellent up my alley. It’s actually, actually, actually thrilling.”
BKB 56’s Henry Corrales is in the perfect place he’s ever been forward of this Los Angeles trigon trek
With the energetic clinch preventing piece of naked knuckle, it provides many crossover MMA fighters aggressive benefits whereas additionally not having to proceed feeling the regular grind of commonly coaching in grappling within the current. When delving into that piece concerning naked knuckle being a very good touchdown level for MMA fighters, Corrales mentioned [via Bare Knuckle Bowker],
“It truly is. I feel we obtained a very good base with preventing with the little gloves. Cuz boxers, pure boxers aren’t used to that. They will’t do loads of stuff that they did with boxing cuz you get touched with these naked fists, it’s not going to fly.”
I’ve incessantly spoken to Corrales forward of MMA bouts, however he has not competed since February 2024 in his Aaron Pico rematch at Bellator vs. PFL. The calm demeanoured gun slinger has since turn out to be a father and skilled some massive life adjustments. Moving into a few of the newer facets of his life since we final spoke, Corrales acknowledged [via Bare Knuckle Bowker],
“Man, I’m in the perfect place I’ve been, man. I’m simply that’s actually; I assumed I used to be residing the dream earlier than, preventing individuals all around the world and simply having a very good time. Now that I’ve children, I’m similar to, “Oh, no. That is it proper right here.” Like, this man’s proper right here simply leaping round.”
“Hello, [laughter] It’s child Christopher. Henry’s operating round. He’s 7 months right this moment and Henry’s 19 months, so we obtained 202. Simply just about a stay-at-home dad. Keep at dwelling dad who goes and trains along with his buddies after which simply comes dwelling and hangs out with the youngsters. So, it’s simply been exceeding my expectations. It’s lovely.”
When asking if changing into a dad or mum has meaningfully altered his mentality with how he approaches aggressive preventing, Corrales quipped [via Bare Knuckle Bowker],
“Yeah, considerably. I simply don’t have any, I assume you possibly can say like every, desired unmet expectations from not having children. Like I sort of did the rattling factor, dude. I obtained to hang around with the boys a bunch, dude, and simply run amok and simply have a lot enjoyable. Now it’s similar to I don’t really feel like I’m lacking out on something.”
“The one factor I really feel like I’m lacking out is that if I go away the home and I’m not with my children. I’m like, rattling, dude. I need to get again to the boys. So, these are the brand new boys. However yeah, it’s simply cool, dude. It’s simply cool. It’s simply finishing me. I can’t see life no different approach. I can’t even think about it.”
