Ruben Warr is throwing punches like his life depends on it
If you’re looking for a late-night bet, Warr is an enticing underdog on the BKFC card in Los Angeles
If it looks like Ruben Warr hits opponents like his life depends on it, well, you aren’t wrong.
After spending the early part of his career homeless and sleeping at the gym, the fact that Warr is headlining tonight’s Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship card in Los Angeles is a feat in itself. His only constant in life has been hardship.
Warr’s mother put him up for adoption after she was incarcerated. After that, he had a tumultuous relationship with his stepmother that ended when he enlisted in the United States Navy. Since then, Warr has been shot at, attacked, and maligned. Against the odds, somehow, he is still standing.
“I’ve sacrificed everything to be here,” said Warr, 35. “Most of my career, I was homeless. I never believed in myself. I had nothing to believe in. But it’s different now.”
A father of two, Warr is looking toward his children for inspiration–and motivation. And in the unforgiving fight business, his troubled past becomes an advantage. No one in the squared circle can hit harder than life already has.
“I’ve been to rock bottom,” said Warr. “I know that paint, and I use it to push myself every single day. That’s why I’m the hardest worker in the gym. I want to give my kids the life I never had.”
Not far from where he grew up in Los Angeles, Warr returns to action tonight in the BKFC Fight Night card at Thunder Studios, which is available on the BKFC app. It marks his first appearance since scoring a five-second knockout over Robbie Peralta in July, which has been a highlight reel moment for BKFC.
A victory tonight against Ukrainian contender Bovar Khanakov would elevate Warr to a world title bout next year against reigning lightweight champion Franco Tenaglia. For someone who is currently without a car–the transmission is out in his Chevy Malibu–Warr is hungry for the win.
“After this knockout, BKFC better have the checkbook ready,” said Warr. “They’re paying all these whack-ass fighters all this crazy money. I’ve yet to see it. After this, I deserve some money.”
Undefeated thus far into his BKFC career, Warr (2-0, 1 NC) could become the poster boy for bare-knuckle fighting. He could also be the latest in a long line to flame out. Yet he enters this bout against Khanakov with a purpose, one that he hopes will pair nicely with his fists.
“I’m going to keep fighting for my family,” said Warr. “For the first time in my life, I believe in myself–and I’m going to do this for them.”