Ten Fights, Two Belts, One Night Photographing BCT2 in Palmetto, FL at Manatee Fairgrounds

10 fights.

2 belts.

1 night that will stay with you.

Ashton Smith vs Gaelan Przybylowicz

On April 18, 2026 I went back to Veterans Hall at the Manatee Fairgrounds for BCT2 (Bite Down, Chin Down, Throw Down Championship).

There were 3 fights stood out from the rest of the night.

Fight Moments #1: Jax Tidwell vs John Darling

Jax Tidwell vs John Darling

Billed as an exhibition, that turned into a fight. From first minute to the last second of the third round, Jax and John threw down like their life depended on it.

Jax Tidwell vs John Darling

Never getting tired, the pace these two put on was something to witness.

Jax Tidwell vs John Darling

By far the favorite fight of the night, loved by the entire crowd.

Jax Tidwell vs John Darling

Fight Moments #2: Cristobal Acuna vs Luca Lopez

Cristobal Acuna vs Luca Lopez

Second fight was the co-main event kickboxing between Cristobal Acuna vs Luca Lopez.

Cristobal Acuna vs Luca Lopez

Cristobal Acuna vs Luca Lopez

Lopez was a better technical striker that night and finished the fight with a body shot.

Cristobal Acuna vs Luca Lopez

Luca celebrated his win with his fighter brother Alejo. Brother fighters never let each other down.

Cristobal Acuna vs Luca Lopez

Fight Moments #3: Ashton Smith vs Gaelan Przybylowicz

Third fight was the main event of the night, featuring kickboxing between a high-level technician Gaelan Przybylowicz vs an aggressive Dutch style kickboxer Ashton Smith.

Ashton Smith vs Gaelan Przybylowicz

This was a 5-round war.

Ashton Smith vs Gaelan Przybylowicz

Ashton Smith vs Gaelan Przybylowicz

With Ashton Smith getting the decision win.

Ashton Smith vs Gaelan Przybylowicz

But not before some words were exchanged.

Ashton Smith vs Gaelan Przybylowicz

Decapitation Portfolio Shot

One of my favorite shot of the night came from Jonathan Ocompo vs Eric Harris boxing fight. Portfolio shot!

The sweat. The extension. The decapitation.

Jonathan Ocompo vs Eric Harris

Shooting Through the Ropes

During the fight event, there was another photographer on sight, Kevin. Both of us couldn't be ringside at the same time, so we decided to alternate between rounds.

One would to be ringside and the other would be below the ropes. Then we switch.

Shooting below and through the ropes created interesting and dynamic composition.

Cristobal Acuna vs Luca Lopez

The ropes added depth and perspective which over the ropes ringside often lacks.

Ashton Smith vs Gaelan Przybylowicz

And shooting from both vantage points allowed to have more fight shot variety at the end of the night.

Cristobal Acuna vs Luca Lopez

Back to Where it All Started

BCT2 took me back to the promotion that started it all.

I was no longer the same photographer from just 6 months ago. New gear, more experience and better photographer's eye.

BCT3 is Already Being Planned for September

The next BCT is already being planned for September this year.

I got a lot of great shots from BCT2 and ready to do it again at BCT3.

And until the next fight event.

DPS are photos that are in partnership with Diamond Point Sports Network.