LT Nelson: “This is a guaranteed fight for the ages”

After a statement win over Barrie Jones in August of 2024, “Smash” is taking no time off. He takes on James Connelly at BYB 35: Albuquerque Brawl on January 11. This time, he’s the champion.
Now, Nelson is a two-weight champion and is defending his BYB Super Middleweight Police Gazette Diamond belt. In an interview with BYB Extreme, Nelson talks his upcoming rematch with Connelly, the scrap with Barrie Jones, and more.
Coming off of his best win to date, LT Nelson is feeling great after defeating Barrie Jones at BYB 30. Beloved by bare knuckle fans, many favored Jones to defeat Nelson and continue his tear. But Nelson snagged the finish and the title.
“The Barrie Jones fight was an amazing opportunity, experience, and challenge for me. The thing is, I thrive and live in the challenge, so that was an amazing fight for me to show my grit and work ethic and take out the so-called GOAT of bare knuckle boxing! I am the best, proving that time and time again.”
With that knockout, LT Nelson became the best fighter in bare knuckle boxing.
Now with two in his possession – the BYB Middleweight and Super Middleweight championships his possession, Nelson acknowledges he has always coveted the BYB Extreme Police Gazette Diamond title. It is a dream come true for Nelson. “Having the historic Police Gazette belt is, and has been, on my mind since I’ve seen that belt. It means the world to me to have it at my house and for her to belong to me. I wanted that belt as soon as I started doing bare knuckle and seen it.”

Nelson was born for this. He was born for bare knuckle boxing. Having fought in MMA, Muay Thai, kickboxing, lethwei and boxing, it’s been bare knuckle that’s fit his fight style the most. Nelson feels like he was born for this.
“I love bare knuckle boxing so much. I love fight sport in general, any discipline. But bare knuckle boxing brings a whole new excitement to fight sports for me, and brings it back to the days of raw fighting, which I love. I was born for bare knuckle boxing.”
Was the first fight a fluke?
As mentioned earlier, LT Nelson and James Connelly have fought before. That fight, which was a short notice fight, ended via draw. Some thought Connelly won the fight, others thought Nelson took it. The business is unfinished. Nelson is ready to run this back and put this chapter behind him.
“I am so excited to run the fight back with Connelly because he is a tough fighter and it will be another challenge for me once again. I love challenges and I thrive on them. I am also super excited to shut up all of his fans and people that think that he won the first fight. That fight was a draw. But I am 100% that I should have been the victor. I won that fight.” He added, “Also, fans will get an amazing show!”

Nelson’s game plan will not differ massively. Nelson believes that he will continue to make himself a better fighter and do what he does best.
“The only difference in training for this fight is that we are training for Connelly so we change up little things that we work on. Other than that, I’m just grinding like always, putting the work in and being in the best shape. I’m ready for anything in that ring but I always go for the knockout.”
Having already fought Connelly, Nelson believes he has the advantage going into BYB 35 in Albuquerque. “I, for sure, benefit from already fighting Connelly. I know what he brings to the table and I’m ready to adjust for anything new that he brings. I am prepared, and can’t wait to showcase my skills to the world again.”
Tuning in for the big fight will be something that should make sense to anyone that has seen LT Nelson fight. But he provides a little more convincing for those that are still on the fence for some reason.
“Fans should tune in January 11 because there will be guaranteed fireworks when James and I throw down. We are both skilled in the fight game and we both don’t like to back up. So this is a guaranteed fight for the ages. If anyone has seen me fight before, they know I’m not lying. BYB also puts on great fights and shows always so that’s also a plus.”
Don’t miss LT Nelson defend his BYB Super Middleweight Police Gazette Diamond title. Will he finally put the James Connelly chapter behind him? Learn how to watch below.

Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a passion for Combat Sports and also a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s also a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.
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