Mario Lopez on BKFC: ‘It’s The Purest Form of Sport’
Mario Lopez is all in on Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.
Lopez hosted BKFC’s KnuckleMania IV launch press conference two weeks ago at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles. He added a whole new degree of pomp and circumstance to BKFC in the prelude to its California debut, which takes place on April 27 at KnuckleMania IV.
“There’s a reason this is the next big thing in combat sports,” said Lopez. “It’s incredibly exciting. When people check it out, they’re not going to be disappointed.”
For the past five years, Lopez has served as the host of Access Hollywood. Yet the 50-year-old, who still has his boyish looks, will forever be known for his work as A.C. Slater on Saved By The Bell.
For all his success as an actor–and he has been on-screen for the past 40 years–Lopez’s heart has always been connected to combat sports.
“I’ve been a combat sports fan forever,” said Lopez. “I grew up wrestling, then I got into jiu jitsu. I was into MMA and UFC since its infancy in the 90s, and [UFC CEO] Dana White happens to be a good friend of mine. I’ve been into boxing for a long time. Going to Wild Card Boxing Club for so many years, the upper echelon of fighters have gone through there–that’s Georges St-Pierre, the Diaz brothers, Manny Pacquiao. I produced a documentary for my good friend Oscar De La Hoya, which did really well for HBO, along with another good friend in Mark Wahlberg. We’re getting ready to do one on Sugar Ray Leonard. I’ve called fights for Top Rank and Golden Boy in English and Spanish.
“I know I’m entrenched in the entertainment world, but the fight world is a part of who I am, too. I’m excited to be part of the world’s fastest growing sport with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. I think BKFC is going to be the next big thing.”
Just like real life, Lopez’s character on Saved By The Bell was a wrestler. The sport was such a passion of his that it needed to be incorporated into the show.
“Originally, A.C. Slater was supposed to be like [John] Travolta on Welcome Back, Kotter, a cool street kid,” said Slater, referencing Travolta’s Vinnie Barbarino character. “At some point, we were told to write down all of our interests. That’s when they found out I wrestled, I danced, and I played the drums–so they added all that to the character.”
One of the more iconic moments during Saved By The Bell history–of which there are many–took place when Slater and Zack Morris fought in the halls of Bayside High. From start to finish, the fight scene was put together by Lopez.
it's the 30th anniversary of Zack and Slater's bayside brawl
— Mike Camerlengo (@MCamerlengo) September 13, 2022
i break down the legendary fight herepic.twitter.com/sIuMcUh7Vm
“I was only a teenager when I choreographed that,” said Lopez. “Looking back, it’s funny. We didn’t have any stunt coordinators. We just went for it. Who knew people would respond to it? Every year, there’s like this anniversary looking back on it.
“We never thought that moment would be so enduring. Not at all. It’s just like the show. I thought it was just some Saturday morning show for kids, something that would be fun for a little while. When it went into syndication, it took on a whole new life. I can’t believe people loved it so much. I’m forever grateful.”
An appearance from Lopez puts on a spotlight on a unique, growing sector of the fight realm. BKFC, which was founded in 2018 by company president David Feldman, is a world of second chances and new opportunities.
Victorious in all four of his fights, the once-embattled Mike Perry is rebuilding his reputation as the face of bare-knuckle fighting. Perry headlines the KnuckleMania card against former middleweight champ Thiago Alves. A battle between Ben Rothwell and Todd Duffee is also on the card, a chance for both heavyweights to remind the world of their fighting prowess through this violent form of mixed martial arts.
“These are world-class professional fighters,” said Lopez. “And it’s one-on-one, the purest form of sport. I like the problem-solving that goes into each fight. And I respect that there are a lot of second chances in this sport. It’s a chance to find redemption.”
Lopez even shares some of that same ethos as the fighters. For decades, he has refused to be defined by only one character, instead showcasing his wide array of skills in a variety of roles.
“I enjoy acting, singing, dancing, hosting, and being part of the combat sports world,” said Lopez. “I don’t want to be labeled as only one thing. I want to be diverse. I’m in training for boxing and jiu jitsu every day. That’s part of me, and I have nothing but the greatest respect and appreciation for it. I’m also doing a musical movie–it’s a holiday movie and it will be out this Christmas. I’ll be back right in time from filming for the fights in April.
“And there are no rules when it comes to hard work. If you’re willing to put your mind to it and put in the work, you’ll find success. For me, I never wanted to be defined by one thing, so I never stopped working at it.”
BKFC just partnered with AXS TV for a new weekly program–The Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship series–which begins Thursday, April 4 and runs for 13 weeks. The possibility exists that Lopez will return and continue to play a role at more BKFC events.
“UFC started off small and look where it is now,” said Lopez. “BKFC is going to keep getting bigger and bigger. KnuckleMania is going to be a great night. I’m anxious to be there and soak it all in.”
JUSTIN BARRASSO
Justin Barrasso has been writing for Sports Illustrated since 2014. While his primary focus is pro wrestling and MMA, he has also covered MLB, NBA, and the NFL. He can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com and followed on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.