Dustin Pague of BKFC wasn’t going to miss the chance to fight in his hometown. He’s all set to headline BKFC Fight Night: Philly on March 21 at the 2300 Arena, where he’ll face Andrew Angelcor.
Initially, Pague (with a BKFC record of 3-2) was supposed to participate in Knucklemania 5, BKFC’s major event in Philadelphia back in January. But, a sudden cancellation dashed those plans.
“I found out just 10 minutes before reaching the hotel. It was literally that Thursday morning,” Pague shared with Eddie Law from Cageside Press.
He continued, “Weigh-ins were scheduled for Friday, and the fight was on Saturday. We’re just 10 minutes away when my manager calls. I thought he was just checking in.”
Unfortunately for Pague, this wasn’t a routine call.
His manager broke it to him: “Hey buddy, I have some bad news.” Pague recalled thinking, “Scott, don’t say it.” Knowing bad news was imminent, Pague added, “I’m like, how is this even possible? It’s Thursday morning.”
The issue? His opponent failed the medical examination.
Medical checks are a standard part of the fight routine and usually completed before fight week. Baffled, Pague sought clarity.
“JD Burns came over, and I asked him straight, ‘What happened?’” Pague queried.
Apparently, Burns had a scar behind his retina, something he’d been cleared for in the past. It wasn’t damaging, just a result of a healed injury. However, a mix-up between Burns’ new eye doctor’s notes and BKFC’s physicians led to the fight being canceled.
Now, Pague has another chance to fight in Philly, and this time, it’s the main event against Andrew Angelcor.
“I found out about this fight probably before lunchtime that same Thursday,” Pague noted. “They told me, ‘There’s another Philly event in March, and we want you for the main event.’”
Excited yet realistic, Pague replied, “March 21st at 2300 Arena? Not quite Wells Fargo, but still, a main event is great. I agreed right away. They later confirmed it was Andrew Angelcor. Perfect.”
Pague was ready to face anyone but desperately needed a specific date because of another commitment.
“I was thrilled but jittery too because my wife and I had a vacation planned for March 22nd,” he said. “I asked my manager the date, and he reassured me, ‘It’s back in Philly, you’re the main event.’ As soon as he confirmed March 21st, I was in. So, I’m fighting Angelcor one night and flying to Mexico the next day.”
