Tyler Goodjohn and Tony Soto clash in Greenville, SC at the BKFC 42 main event on May 12th.
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.
Tyler Goodjohn spoke to Dylan Bowker of Bare Knuckle News before this bout. Excerpts from the chat are below.
Tyler Goodjohn
It seems like there’s a bit of banter between yourself and Soto. Is there any kind of backstory here to this bout?
“Yeah, I mean, you know, there’s not really been any real history between us. But, he’s been doing his thing winning and winning by stoppage. He’s creeping up the rankings. So, for me, anyone who’s making a bit of noise I want to take them on. Look, at the end of the day, like I say, the guy’s got some wins on his record – stoppages and everything else. But, he hasn’t fought anyone with any real reputation yet. So, we’re gonna find out what he’s all about, and I’m gonna welcome him to the big leagues of BKFC.”
Tyler Goodjohn vs Tony Soto
This fight reads like Soto taking on his biggest name value yet, while it presents you a chance to reassert yourself in the title hierarchy. Would you say that’s the dynamic for this fight?
“Yeah, a hundred percent. You know, I was actually meant to be fighting on the (Delray Beach) card a few weeks back that got canceled. A few opponents got chucked at me and it was like – my management and everyone wanted me to have a little bit of a like, comeback fight, a little easy fight to get back into. I’ll be honest with you, at this point in my career, those fights do not interest me. They just don’t interest me.”
“To keep motivating me and keep training the way I do, I want to be in legitimate fights against people who are gonna come and have a go. That’s why I contacted BKFC and said, ‘Look this guy’s 4-0. It’s time he stepped up and stop fighting debutants.’ Yeah, coming at it with a real fighter in BFKC. So, yeah, you know, it’s his chance to obviously impress on the big stage and show that he’s the real deal. It’s a chance for me to get back in the winning column, like you say, and get back into title contention.”
BKFC 42
Looking to rebound from losses to dual division champion, Luis Palomino, and current lightweight top contender, James Lilley, those don’t resonate as damaging losses that meaningfully set you back in the title picture. Is that a characterization you share in as far as not losing a significant level of traction in the context of who you lost to?
“No. I mean they were against the pound-for-pound number one, and the number one ranked at 155. So, I mean, you know, it’s not like I’ve lost to nobodies. But, like I say, I want to get back into title contention as quick as possible. I’m not interested in fighting debutants and guys with losing records and things like that. I want to be taking on these unbeaten guys.”
“It puts a pep in my step in training to know I’m going up against these guys that are trying to make waves. Yeah, it’s an interesting fight; it’s a great fight. Like I said, it’s a massive opportunity for Tony.”
BKFC
The last time we actually spoke was before your BKFC debut and it seems like there’s been a great deal of difference in your life since then. Facing sex addiction head-on and leaving the adult film industry, as well as taking pronounced breaks from cannabis. How much has your lifestyle changed from the last time we talked to now?
“I mean to be honest (laughs), I’ve done a complete 360. You know I’ll be the first one to say look, I was in a bit of a tailspin. I mean, what people will have to realize, with my BKFC debut, I come over in the middle of the pandemic. Had to quarantine in a different country to get into the US. I couldn’t take any type of training team with me. I mean, I had done it all off of my own back. You know what I mean? Was going through a hell of a lot in my personal life.”
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
Tyler Goodjohn continued, “I don’t want to make excuses and all that kind of stuff, because at the end of the day, I still got it done. But, I was going through a hell of a lot in my personal life. Yeah, it was like I said. It was a bit of a tailspin really. So, in terms of where I’m at now, I’m a different person. I’m a different person totally. Totally and utterly dedicated to what I’m doing right now. Yeah, you know what, I’ve come off the cannabis which to me was a real big part of my life actually (laughs).”
“I’ve come off it and haven’t been smoking for about fourteen weeks. I was just going through a bad stage with my mental health basically and I’ve really turned it around. I don’t want to sound cliché, but it’s been life-changing this camp – really, really dedicated and sacrificed myself. When I come out with that win on May 12th, it’s going to mean much more to me than just the win itself. I’ve really turned things around in my own life, personal life as well.”
