Alessio “Legionarius” Sakara, 43, earned a spectacular knockout in his Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) debut at BKFC Fight Night Philly on July 25, 2025. Sakara, a UFC and Bellator veteran, startled fans across the world with a violent finish that reminded everyone that when the punches fly, age is only a number.

From UFC Pioneer to BKFC Knockout Artist

Alessio Sakara, also known as “Legionarius” among fight fans, has had a successful career spanning from UFC 55 in 2006 to Bellator. Sakara, known for his aggressive Muay Thai-based striking, has a string of memorable victories and high-level battles against opponents including Chris Weidman, Thales Leites, and Dean Lister. Though championships eluded him, he established a reputation for toughness and fight-ending strength across numerous platforms.

After many years away from competition, Sakara returned to the bare-knuckle world this summer, reigniting his fighting passion and delivering one of the event’s most violent finishes.

The KO: Brutal, Precise, Legendary

Sakara wasted no time in his cruiserweight match against veteran Erick Lozano (2-3). Early in the opening round, he chopped down Lozano with a devastating left hand. Then, in the second round, he unleashed a flurry of blows that resulted in a brutal knockout, with Lozano crumpling under the attack, energizing the audience and triggering an instant replay on social media.

Sakara’s success as a mid-40s fighter reinforced his standing as a formidable striker, potentially leading to a BKFC championship shot.

Why This KO Means More Than One Fight

Legacy validated

For Sakara—a pioneer of MMA in Italy—the win adds a powerful chapter to his story. He once rose from humble beginnings as a boxer in Europe to the worldwide UFC and Bellator status. After more than two decades, he demonstrates that he still has finishing power.

Age-defying highlights

Sakara, 43, joins a select club of elder competitors who continue to produce highlight reel moments. Few debuts—and few KOs—have carried such impact from a combat sports veteran .

Potential title paths

BKFC Middleweight Champion Chris Camozzi entered the ring shortly after the end, and film recorded a heated face-off, hinting Sakara is now on the radar for a championship eliminator, especially with BKFC’s Rome event coming up in October.

Highlights Go Viral

MMA Mania and other combat media outlets rushed to publish Sakara’s KO highlights, commemorating a moment that resonated with fight fans around the world. Comments ranged from admiration for his precision to questions about how a fighter could maintain such power 20 years into his career.

The footage of the finish has immediately become one of BKFC’s most-watched highlight videos for 2025.

What’s Next for Legionarius

Sakara enters BKFC with a solid claim to a championship opportunity in the cruiserweight or middleweight divisions, with October bouts already being speculated.

As a seasoned veteran, he brings name recognition, knockout appeal, and the types of storylines that BKFC enjoys promoting.

Even at 43, his technique and results demonstrate that he can fight in—and immediately impact—the top ranks of bare-knuckle combat.

Final Word

Alessio Sakara’s return to BKFC exemplified: elite talent does not fade with age. The 43-year-old UFC veteran came back into the spotlight with a decisive knockout, paving the way for a possible title push and raising hopes for fighting longevity.

This was not simply a battle; it was a message. At the age of 43, Sakara reminded the world what the term “Legionarius” means.