Blake LaCaze clashes with Doug Coltrane at BKFC 42: Soto vs. Goodjohn in the Co-Main Event on May 12th.
This will be the third BKFC bout in LaCaze’s career as he ascends to the co-headliner on this Greenville, SC extravaganza.
The pugilistic proceedings broadcast on Fite TV as well as the Bare Knuckle TV app, and the fistic fireworks kick off at 8 PM EST.
LaCaze spoke to Dylan Bowker of Bare Knuckle News before this bout. Excerpts from the chat are below.
Blake LaCaze
You talked about Doug Coltrane being a taller opponent and that this is a key fight in terms of moving up the middleweight hierarchy. What was your temperament when this bout offer came your way?
“Man, I was already full-fledged ahead coming off of my last win. We got offered this with my management. They gave me the name and I was full-fledged, all steam ahead for this fight. I knew what was at stake and what I could accomplish with a big win coming off of this fight. But I’m not looking past Coltrane at all. This is gonna be probably my hardest test. This is gonna be his hardest test.”
Blake LaCaze continued, “We’re gonna come in there and shoot missiles at each other and try to drop bombs. We both know it’s make or break like we just said, who’s gonna get the push, and we both know what’s at stake. So this is going to be a very entertaining and exciting fight.”
You seem to see benefits to this fight being at middleweight. Why is competing in that weight category optimal for you?
“Our range is going to be the gameplan and another thing we’re liking is this fight’s going to be at ’75. It’s not going to be at ’85 normally where Coltrane’s at. He’s coming down in weight. I’ve held my weight really good so far this camp. I’m walking around at ’77, ’78 right now. So I’m going to be right on weight (later this) week. I’m just ready to put on a show for BKFC, man. I’m not in the co-main, he’s not in the co-main for nothing.”
Blake LaCaze vs Doug Coltrane
Largely you were fighting between 172 pounds and 198 pounds in gloved boxing. Is 175 pounds the optimal, sweet spot for you weight-wise?
“Oh absolutely. So when I fight at 175, I feel like I’m the strongest at that point. Because that’s the lowest I can really get. I know I said I held my weight at ’77 for this camp but on a normal basis even if I’m in a boxing camp and my previous bare-knuckle bouts, I walk around at 200/ 203 pounds. Then I drop my weight cut the week before the fight and get down to 175.”
Blake LaCaze continued, “But when I’m at ’75 I feel my strongest versus when I’m fighting at like 190 or 200 where I’m basically fighting a heavyweight when it comes that night. So yeah, I always like to fight the lowest I can and try to use my attributes and my strengths to my advantage.”
BKFC 42
Could you see this being a fight that could vault you toward competing against a top-five-ranked opponent next?
“Oh absolutely. I feel the sense of like the push that I may get off of this fight. So I know that Dave Mundell’s the middleweight champion right now. I’ve heard that he’s going to be in attendance that night. I need a big win. I’d like my title shot, man. I feel I’m well earned of it. Fought nothing but top guys since I’ve been in BKFC.”
Blake LaCaze continued, “I’ve prevailed and I’m looking to prevail this next fight. I want a title shot, for sure. If it’s not a title shot, I want a contender shot. Just whatever I can get to get me closer to that belt. I can’t look past Coltrane. He’s in my way right now with that and I have to take care of that Friday.”
BKFC
Do you have a predominant visualization of how this fight is going to play out with Doug Coltrane?
“I always like to tell people fighting is like court. You never know how that’s gonna turn out. I never liked to say what I’m going to do because you never know what you’re going to do. I know what I’m capable of and I know what I’ve trained my butt off for. Know what’s at stake. I’m not just coming up to South Carolina to lose. Not going to step into that ring to lose, that’s not even an option. I’ve got a lot at stake and it’s riding on me. There’s nothing personal, me and Doug have no beef, nothing.”
“This is just a complete business fight. I’m gonna have to hate the man for ten minutes in the ring and then I can be friends with him afterwards. But other than that, this is business and he’s in my way. So when the story unfolds, it’s going to be two tall fighters in the middleweight division. It’s going to be the tall giant, big guy, the ‘Big Boy’. Imma prevail, I’m gonna win this fight.”
Blake LaCaze continued, “Doug said a few things. I haven’t really mentioned nothing back. Nothing, just social media beef. I’m not into that stuff. That’s the easy part is talking. He got that over with, now you’ve got to get in the ring and do it. So that’s where I’m at.”
