BDBKB Podcast Ep. 1: How Big Dawg Bare Knuckle Boxing Was Built | Lavar Johnson, Rudy Cruz & Ralph

The origins of Big Dawg Bare Knuckle Boxing (BDBKB) go deeper than most people know. In this raw, unfiltered podcast episode, the architects of the Central Valley's own bare knuckle boxing promotion sit down together — Lavar Johnson, coach Rudy Cruz, Ralph, and George — to tell the full story: how they met, how they built something from nothing, and why bare knuckle boxing is the future of combat sports in California. From training at the legendary Meat Locker gym in Ashlan, to Strikeforce, Bellator, and the UFC — this crew has been through it all together. Now they're pioneering bare knuckle boxing on the West Coast, and this conversation covers every chapter. 🌐 www.bigdawgbareknuckleboxing.com ⏱️ CHAPTERS 0:00 – Intro 0:16 – How They All Met: The Origin Story 1:20 – The Meat Locker Gym & Building the Brotherhood 4:00 – Rudy Cruz: From Fighter to Coach 6:49 – Strikeforce, Bellator & the UFC Journey 8:05 – Social Media vs. Real Fighters: The Debate 9:09 – What Makes Bare Knuckle Different from Boxing & MMA 10:53 – Rudy Cruz's Coaching Journey & the Pool Noodle Origin Story 15:07 – The UFC Days: Chicago, New York & the MGM 16:01 – Big Dawg Brotherhood: What This Is Really About 19:25 – Bare Knuckle Strategy Breakdown: Jab, Distance & the Ropes 25:20 – The Moment They Decided to Bring Bare Knuckle to California 27:08 – Starting Their Own Promotion: How BDBKB Was Born 28:12 – Why Bare Knuckle Boxing Is Pure & Can't Be Faked 29:00 – Life in the Commentary Booth 30:16 – BDBKB 6 Preview: Cash, Pit Man, Bradley vs. Idris & More 32:22 – How They Made It Legal: The Casino Battle & Lauren's Role 32:31 – Scott Hokker Joins as Advisor | Global Growth 33:12 – Will There Be Women's Bare Knuckle at BDBKB? 35:01 – Big Dawg Youth: Giving Back to the Community & Veterans 36:00 – Creating Our Own Superstars: All Walks of Life Welcome 36:39 – Why California Produces the Best Fighters in the World 39:44 – Rudy Cruz on Commentating & Learning the Craft 42:04 – See You July 11th at Mono Wind Casino 🥊 Featured in This Episode: Lavar Johnson | UFC & Strikeforce Heavyweight Veteran Rudy Cruz | Boxing Coach & Commentator Ralph | Co-Founder, Big Dawg Bare Knuckle Boxing George | Co-Founder, Big Dawg Bare Knuckle Boxing 📅 BDBKB 6 — July 11th | Mono Wind Casino 🌐 www.bigdawgbareknuckleboxing.com 🔔 Subscribe for full fight cards, fighter interviews, weigh-in coverage, fight highlights, and behind-the-scenes content from Big Dawg Bare Knuckle Boxing — Fresno, California's own bare knuckle fight promotion.