🥊 WORLD TITLE SHOWDOWN! 🥊
🇲🇽 MEXICO 🇲🇽 VS. USA 🇺🇸
🔥 MANUEL DURAN vs. DAVIANTE JONES 🔥
🏆 CHINGAZOS BARE KNUCKLE BOXING 🏆
💥 205 LB WORLD TITLE — MAIN EVENT 💥
📅 NOVEMBER 14, 2026
📺 LIVE ON FIGHT.TV
Two fighters. Two nations. One world title. 🥊🔥
At 39 years old, Daviante is preparing for what could be one of the biggest fights of his career as he gets ready to face Manuel Duran for a Bare Knuckle Boxing world title in November. With a championship belt within reach and the possibility of competing on a major stage, Daviante is determined to prove he still has plenty left to accomplish before calling it a career.
In Part 2 of his interview with MMA Fight Coverage, Daviante opened up about his upcoming title fight, his transition from mixed martial arts to bare-knuckle fighting, his appreciation for the people who have supported his career, and his determination to retire on his own terms.
Daviante Prepares for Manuel Duran
Daviante faces a formidable challenge in Manuel Duran, an experienced fighter with more than 20 boxing matches and multiple bare-knuckle bouts under his belt.
Despite Duran’s experience, Daviante isn’t planning to reinvent his approach for the championship matchup. He remains confident in his preparation and intends to stick with the training methods that have brought him to this opportunity.
For Daviante, the goal is straightforward: win the fight, capture the championship, and take another step toward accomplishing what he set out to do in combat sports.
And if he gets his hands on that championship belt, he has already made another promise—he plans to get the belt tattooed on himself.
A victory could also open the door to an opportunity on a major bare-knuckle fighting card, potentially giving Daviante the chance to make a memorable final run before retiring.
Bare Knuckle Boxing Is His Final Chapter
Daviante has competed across multiple combat sports, including boxing and professional mixed martial arts. With more than 20 professional MMA fights behind him, he has experienced the demands and challenges of competing inside the cage.
But somewhere along the way, his relationship with MMA changed.
Daviante explained that he eventually fell out of love with the sport. Bare Knuckle Boxing, however, brought back the excitement and competitive fire he had been looking for.
For him, the appeal comes down to the raw nature of the competition. Without gloves, mistakes can carry immediate consequences, and a single exchange can dramatically change the direction of a fight.
That element of danger and unpredictability is part of what makes bare-knuckle fighting feel like a more natural fit for his style.
Daviante also made it clear that he considers Bare Knuckle Boxing his final competitive discipline. Rather than continuing to move between different combat sports, he wants to focus on this chapter of his career and see how far he can take it.
His willingness to challenge himself has been evident throughout his journey, including his boxing debut, when he accepted a matchup against a highly ranked opponent on short notice.
Now, with a world title opportunity approaching, Daviante has a chance to turn years of experience into a championship accomplishment.
A Rivalry That Has Lasted Nearly a Decade
While his immediate attention is on Manuel Duran, Daviante also has another potential matchup in mind.
He expressed interest in facing Israel Tiki Aquino in bare-knuckle competition, pointing to a rivalry that dates back nearly 10 years.
The possibility of finally settling that longstanding rivalry adds another interesting storyline to Daviante’s future. However, his priority remains clear: he must first get through Duran and secure the championship opportunity in front of him.
Daviante also addressed frustration involving a former opponent who allegedly backed out of a fight but continued provoking him online.
Rather than allowing the situation to remain an ongoing social media dispute, Daviante challenged the individual to step into the ring and settle their differences in an actual fight.
His message was direct: if someone wants to continue calling him out, they should be willing to follow through.
Daviante Shows Appreciation for Shannon Rich and Chingasos
During the interview, Daviante also spoke positively about promoter Shannon Rich and the opportunities he has received through the Chingasos promotion.
Despite the negative perceptions some people may have about Rich’s past in combat sports, Daviante said his own experiences working with the promoter have been positive.
He described Rich as professional, knowledgeable, and helpful, particularly when it came to getting his career moving again.
Daviante expressed gratitude for the opportunities Rich has provided, including chances to work as a commentator and participate in pre-fight and post-fight interviews. Those experiences have allowed him to remain involved in the sport beyond simply competing.
The discussion also touched on Rich’s place in Arizona MMA history.
Rich was part of the early generation of fighters and personalities who helped shape Arizona’s mixed martial arts scene during a period when the sport was far less established and regulated than it is today.
Daviante and the interview panel reflected on that era and remembered the late Vince Lucero, acknowledging the individuals who helped build the sport and the challenges they faced along the way.
For Daviante, the support he has received from people within the combat sports community has been an important part of his journey back to competition.
He also acknowledged several people who have supported his career, including Danny Creighton, Tim, Sam, Pablo, and Alan from Blind Truth Tattoo Studio.
Their support represents the network of people who have helped him continue pursuing his goals.
Retirement Will Be on His Terms
At 39, Daviante knows he is approaching a point in his career when retirement becomes an increasingly important consideration.
His sister has encouraged him to step away from fighting, but he isn’t ready to walk away without accomplishing what he believes he still has left to do.
For Daviante, becoming a professional champion is a goal worth pursuing before he considers hanging up the gloves—or, in this case, stepping away from bare-knuckle competition.
Winning the title against Duran would be a significant milestone, potentially positioning him for an appearance on a major promotion’s card, including BKB or Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC).
Such an opportunity could provide the kind of high-profile finish to his career that he envisions.
Rather than allowing age or outside opinions to determine when his fighting days end, Daviante wants to make that decision himself.
He intends to give everything he has to this final chapter and see where it takes him.
One Fight, One Goal, One Championship
Daviante’s upcoming fight against Manuel Duran represents more than another appearance on a fight card. It is an opportunity to validate his decision to focus on bare-knuckle fighting, reward the people who have supported him, and move closer to the championship status he has pursued throughout his career.
A victory could also create new opportunities and potentially set the stage for a major final appearance before retirement.
For now, the focus remains on November and the challenge standing directly in front of him.
Daviante is ready to compete, confident in his preparation, and determined to leave the sport on his own terms.
Will Daviante capture the Bare Knuckle Boxing world title against Manuel Duran?
Stay with MMA Fight Coverage for more interviews, fight news, and updates from the world of combat sports.
