SAVAGE VS STARLING – BKFC Prospect Series

QUEEN MMA Media

JENNY SAVAGE AND TAYLOR STARLING READY TO COLLIDE IN CO-MAIN EVENT AT BKFC PROSPECT SERIES

(January 6, 2024) Taylor Starling versus Jenny Savage is gearing up to be a highly explosive bare knuckle fight.  This has been a fight the fans have been eager to see come to life. These two warriors make for a true even matchup.  On January 27, 2024 in Albuquerque, New Mexico Taylor “Killa Bee” Starling will clash with Jenny “The Tennessee Gangster” Savage in a 115 pound strawweight co-main event bare knuckle boxing fight.  The action will be under the bright lights of the Revel Arena.  This co-main event looks to be the best fight on the card.  It has the potential to deliver serious fireworks.  Savage and Starling make for a quality co-main event but for BARE KNUCKLE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP to put them on a ‘Prospect Series’ fight card seems off target.  Could this be BKFC’s way of down grading the two strawweights?  I would hope not.  Most bare knuckle fight fans would agree Starling and Savage are not prospects.  Both of these lady warriors are veterans in the BKFC organization having mustered five bare knuckle bouts each. These two hotties can throw the heat. 

JENNY SAVAGE – TAYLOR STARLING: The Rivalry

Starling and Savage collided inside the MMA hexagon back in October of 2019 at Road to M-1USA 3.  It was a strawweight bout in which Jenny Savage came into the fight with a professional MMA record of (2-3).  Taylor Starling entered the fight making her MMA pro debut.  It was a tough back and forth battle with both ladies putting on a great show.  Taylor fought through what appeared to be a nasty broken nose but in the third round came up short in what M-1 USA commentator Sean Wheelock described as turning her back and physically surrendering due to strikes.  There is a strong rivalry between the ‘Killa Bee’ and the ‘Tennessee Gangster’. 

TAYLOR STARLING
Taylor “Killa Bee” Starling brings a professional bare knuckle boxing record of (3-2) into the BKFC bout, with wins over Charisa Sigala, Cassie Robb, and Hannah Guy.  She will need to focus on using her range advantage and implementing smart footwork.  Taylor is four inches taller and may have a slight edge in hand speed over Savage.  She will need to use the outside effectively and gain respect early in the fight.  The “Killa Bee” is coming off a unanimous decision BKFC loss to Jade Masson-Wong back in May of 2023.  Before that Starling challenged Christine Ferea for her 125 pound BKFC title but lost via first round finish.  It was a fight that generated considerable disappointment among many bare knuckle fans, do to what many fans seen as “Taylor turning her back and quitting”.  There is no doubt Starling will be looking to get back on the winning path, silence the critics, and end her two fight losing streak in the BKFC squared circle.  The Savage fight could turn out to be a pivotal moment in Taylor Starling’s BKFC career.  The fight could be seen as a critical challenge in Starling’s bare knuckle career.  If Taylor can deliver a dominating victory it could very easily push her back into the spotlight.  If she suffers a dominating loss it would surly push her towards the sidelines. 

JENNY SAVAGE
Jenny “The Tennessee Gangster” Savage brings a professional bare knuckle boxing record of (3-2) into the squared circle, with wins over Sheena Brandenburg, Delaney Bailey, and Nekah Dmitriyeva.  She may have the heavier hands going into the matchup against Starling.  Savage will need to find a way to step in and unload.  Savage is aggressive and possesses some intelligent boxing skills.  She is a natural southpaw and is not afraid to step into the pocket and trade punches.  Savage may find success in going to the body early in the clinch.  Do not expect Savage to turn away in the heat of the battle.  There is zero doubt she will push forward into the fire no matter how intense the flames grow.  It will be important for Savage to avoid letting the action take place at Starling range.  In the bare knuckle world ‘The Tennessee Gangster’ is as tough and scrappy as they come at 115 pounds. 

WHO WILL WALK AWAY WITH THE WIN?
The fight could simply come down to who works the hardest inside in the clinch and who is able to effectively utilize their jab and put their punches together.  It may come down to who can close the show when they have their opponent in trouble.  It will most likely be a battle of determination.  If it becomes a war the question may be who has the gas to finish hard.  Savage has the grit to bring the blasting offense and Starling has the ability to deliver a blast in reply.  It will be interesting to see who is able to establish control and dictate the action.  This could be the key to a victorious outcome.  It is doubtful that bare knuckle fans will be surprised if the fight erupts into back and forth exchanges for all five rounds.  At best we can all only hope the bout does not end due to a crazy cut or eye poke. 

Taylor has seemingly struggled in her last two bare knuckle bouts.  A win over Savage would not just even out the rivalry between them, it would demonstrate Starling’s desire to overcome and rise above.  A win against Savage would give Starling a well needed boost in the world of pro bare knuckle boxing.

Jenny is coming off a unanimous decision loss against BKFC strawweight champion Britain Hart back in March of 2023.  Savage has proven herself to be a formidable BKFC strawweight.  She has gained two of her three wins via finish and with her losses coming at the hands of the champion Hart it would seem hard to take anything away from ‘The Tennessee Gangster’. 

KEYS TO VICTORY
TAYLOR STARLING will need to keep control of the range throughout the fight.  She seems most effective when she is able to keep her opponent at the end of her straight punches.  Don’t let Savage close the distance and get inside.  Starling needs to deliver and establish a hard accurate jab early.  She needs to focus on her footwork, movement, and distance.  Don’t be afraid to unload combinations.  Be ready for Savage coming in.  Setup and time big shots when Savage pushes forward.  Unload hard combinations and separate quickly, circle away and reset.  When in the clinch and unable to land use height advantage and push Savage’s head down.  Let her carry and feel the weight.  It will be important for Starling to overcome hesitation.  It will be vital for Starling to be aware and use the real estate of the squared circle to her advantage.  Smart footwork and movement mixed with sharp accurate striking could very well give Starling a solid decision win.  It will be extremely important for Starling to win the mind battle before the fight.  It is necessary for Starling to find rock solid confidence and be ready to impose her will with authority.  Starling has the skills to win.  If she fights a smart fight she could walk away with a strong unanimous decision. 

JENNY SAVAGE has the toughness required to win the fight.  She has stopped Starling in MMA back in 2019 and she knows she can do it again in bare knuckle.  Savage needs to use her confidence and focus on implementing her fight game.  She needs to take control of the fight early.  She needs to keep the pressure on Starling from the start.  Be ready to explode with heavy combinations.  She needs to hurt Starling with body shot while in the clinch.  Stay low and keep the chin down.  Look to close in with bursts of heavy shots.  Take advantage of being the shorter slugger in the fight and look for the homerun spot with the hook.  Keep your head off the line.  Do not get caught standing around.  Dip, bob, and weave your way inside.  Look to set up the big shot on the end of a combination.  As a southpaw use a solid right jab mix it up with a double jab at times to set up stepping in with the left hook upstairs.  Savage has the tools to put a hurt on Starling.  When Savage senses Starling wilting she needs to intensify the offense.  If Savage can maintain strong pressure land solid shots she has what it takes to end the fight. 

Bare Knuckle fans can anticipate hard exchanges and serious action between these two women.  Do not be surprised if the fight produces a brutal bloody battle that ends in a close decision.  Such an outcome could very easily develop into a big Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship rematch.

QUEEN MMA Media
By: Tommy Vickers (Combat Sports Journalist)