Submitted photo

A pair of local fighters fought on the same Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship card for the first time on Friday night, and both walked away with victories.

And they each won in very different ways.

Competing for the first time at a BKFC event, former Fortuna Husky Ricardo Talavera Jr. made the trip to Palm Desert for BKFC 89 and made quick work of his opponent.

The 20-year-old faced off against Victor Flor and won with a knockout after just 86 seconds.

It was the first victory in the ring for the Humboldt County native, who got his start in the sport at the Bear River Casino Resort fights.

Later in the evening, the more experienced Ryan Petersen faced off on the main card against Daniel Keepers in a welterweight fight that went the distance.

The 40-year-old Hydesville resident overcame a nasty cut early in the fifth round on the way to a unanimous decision win.

Petersen says the cut spurred him on to victory.

“He was really long,” Petersen said of the 6-foot-2 Keepers, who has an 80 inch reach. “And he split me open. He caught me right at the beginning of the fifth round and it started gushing and going in my eyes.

“With that said, it lit a fire under me. I was not going to win all those rounds and not win the fight.”

Petersen, who also got his start in the sport at Bear River, delivered with a big finish and held on for the victory, improving to 3-2 in the ring.

Aside from the late cut, the fight went according to plan for the Humboldt County native, who remained focused throughout.

“Everything seemed in tune,” he said of the fight. “I would like to have finished it, but I performed well. My footwork was good. I stuck with the game plane. Overall, it felt good.”

Petersen says he could see and hear everything throughout the fight, which is not always the case in the ring.

Talavera, meanwhile, enjoyed a very successful debut with the BKFC.

The Fortuna fighter, who now lives in SoCal and fights out of the Cvmpound Gym, attacked his opponent quickly and ended the fight early.

“I went in there and gave it my all,” he said. “And I just feel blessed to be where I’m at now, and we got the W.”

Like Petersen, the young bantamweight was well prepared for his opponent and that preparation paid off.

“I read him pretty well,” Talavera said. “I knew he was going to keep his distance and throw that right hand, and as soon as I got the chance I clinched up on and hit him, and that’s what I know from wrestling.”

With the win, Talavera improved to 1-2 in the ring.

The two local fighters will enjoy their victories for the now, but both are already looking forward to their next fights.

Asked whether he intends on fighting again soon, Talavera responded emphatically.

“Absolutely,” he said, adding that he enjoyed the experience of fighting for BKFC.

“It was good,” he said. “There were a lot good people here, the fighters, all the workers are nice, and it was a great experience, that’s for sure.”

The young fighter is hoping to be included on an upcoming BKFC cruise ship event.

Petersen, who recently signed a three-fight contract with BKFC, is eyeing a return to the ring in the fall.

“BKFC treat me good,” he said. “They look out for me.

“I just want to heal up now and get right back at it.”

Submitted photo – Ricardo Talavera