Joseph “Dark Knight” Creer Fighter Profile: From Bellator Veteran to BKFC Contender

There are fighters whose careers follow a straight line, and then there are fighters like Joseph “Dark Knight” Creer, whose combat-sports journey has been built across disciplines, promotions and different chapters of his life.

Creer has been an MMA fighter, a Bellator veteran, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, a boxer, a Muay Thai competitor, a coach and, most recently, one of the more experienced contenders competing inside the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship squared circle.

At 44 years old, Creer isn’t simply hanging around combat sports. He’s winning.

After defeating Cody Vidal by unanimous decision on August 21, 2026, Creer improved his BKFC record to 7-3 and extended his current winning streak to four consecutive fights. BKFC lists him as an active fighter with a 75-inch reach, while the organization’s current rankings place Creer No. 4 at cruiserweight.

It is another chapter in a career that has taken the man known as the “Dark Knight” from regional MMA shows to Bellator and eventually into one of combat sports’ fastest-growing organizations.

From Detroit to Columbus

Creer was born December 28, 1981, in Detroit, Michigan, and fights out of Columbus, Georgia.

Depending on the database, Creer is listed between 6-foot-3 and 6-foot-4, but one measurement remains consistent: his 75-inch reach.

That length has become one of his most important weapons.

BKFC describes Creer as a fighter who prefers a calculated, accurate counter-striking approach rather than simply overwhelming opponents with uncontrolled volume. His ability to manage distance has become especially effective in bare-knuckle competition, where defensive mistakes can immediately change a fight.

But striking represents only part of Creer’s combat-sports education.

He holds a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under Rodrigo Poderoso, and BKFC also credits him with an undefeated 5-0 traditional boxing record and a 1-0 Muay Thai record.

That versatility helped lay the foundation for his professional MMA career.

Building an MMA Career

Creer compiled a 7-2-1 professional MMA record, including five decision victories, one knockout or TKO and one submission.

His professional career began in 2015 with Conflict MMA, where Creer quickly established himself as a difficult opponent.

After fighting Robert Reed to a majority draw in his professional debut, Creer began putting together victories.

He defeated Brad Taylor by unanimous decision, Jay Gray by split decision and then scored one of the most interesting victories on his résumé.

On July 30, 2016, Creer faced Lorenzo Hunt at Conflict MMA 39.

Creer submitted Hunt with a rear-naked choke at 4:11 of the first round.

That result became considerably more notable years later.

Hunt would eventually emerge as one of BKFC’s most recognizable champions, making the paths of the two fighters an intriguing example of how dramatically combat-sports careers can evolve.

Creer continued winning following the Hunt fight, defeating Jeremy Perdue by unanimous decision and Dervin Lopez by third-round TKO.

Those performances eventually opened the door to a bigger stage.

Competing Under the Bellator Banner

Creer appeared four times in Bellator-affiliated competition and faced some high-level opposition along the way.

His first Bellator appearance came in March 2018 against Devorious Tubbs, with Creer earning a split-decision victory.

In August 2019, he faced undefeated prospect Austin Vanderford at Bellator 225. Creer suffered the first loss of his professional career when the fight was stopped by the doctor following the second round.

He responded four months later.

At Bellator 235 in December 2019, Creer defeated Ty Gwerder by unanimous decision, showing the durability and technical ability that had defined much of his MMA career.

His final recorded MMA appearance came against Andrew Kapel at Bellator 249 on October 15, 2020. The contest was stopped by the doctor after the second round, giving Creer only his second professional MMA defeat.

He finished his MMA run with a strong 7-2-1 record.

But Creer’s competitive career wasn’t finished.

A completely different challenge awaited him.

Entering the BKFC Squared Circle

Bare-knuckle fighting requires a different mentality.

There are no four-ounce MMA gloves protecting the hands or absorbing punches. Defense, distance management, accuracy, toughness and composure become essential.

Those qualities suited Creer.

He entered BKFC and gradually developed into a proven competitor.

His BKFC résumé includes victories over Ronnie Glass, Danny Mitchell, David Simpson, Kayden Giroux, Taylor Bull, Ke’ali’i Kanekoa and Cody Vidal.

Creer’s first BKFC appearance came against Duke Sensley in February 2023, ending in a decision loss.

Seven months later, Creer earned his first BKFC victory by stopping Ronnie Glass with a body shot in the third round.

He followed that performance with a second-round stoppage of Danny Mitchell in May 2024.

After a decision loss against Bryant Acheson, Creer rebounded with a five-round unanimous-decision victory over David Simpson in December 2024.

A May 2025 loss to Jared Warren could have become a major setback.

Instead, it became the starting point of Creer’s strongest BKFC run.

Four Straight Wins

Since the Warren fight, Creer has won four consecutive BKFC bouts.

The streak began on August 9, 2025, when Creer stopped Kayden Giroux in the fourth round.

Three months later, he produced another stoppage, finishing Taylor Bull at 1:47 of the second round.

Then came a trip to Hawaii.

On April 11, 2026, Creer faced Ke’ali’i Kanekoa at BKFC Fight Night in Honolulu. Creer earned another stoppage victory when the fight ended following the third round.

That gave the Dark Knight three consecutive victories.

His fourth may have been the most impressive.

Dominating Cody Vidal at Mohegan Sun

Creer faced Cody Vidal in the co-main event of BKFC Fight Night at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, on August 21, 2026.

Vidal entered as a highly regarded divisional contender.

Creer turned the matchup into a showcase of distance management and precision.

Using his reach, Creer consistently kept Vidal on the outside and controlled the exchanges over five rounds.

The judges ultimately scored the fight 50-45, 50-45 and 49-46, all for Creer.

The victory moved his BKFC record to 7-3.

More importantly, it demonstrated how dangerous Creer can be when a fight reaches the scorecards.

Creer’s MMA career had already shown his ability to win extended fights. Five of his seven professional MMA victories came by decision.

Against Vidal, that patience and experience were again visible.

He didn’t need a reckless firefight.

He controlled the range, accumulated damage and won rounds.

A Fighter Who Can Finish Too

Creer’s recent record also shows that labeling him simply a decision fighter would be misleading.

Three of his four wins before the Vidal decision ended by stoppage.

Giroux couldn’t reach the final bell.

Bull couldn’t reach the third round.

Kanekoa couldn’t reach the fourth.

That combination of patience and finishing ability makes Creer an interesting matchup in BKFC. He has shown that he can fight strategically for five rounds while still possessing enough power and accuracy to force a stoppage when opportunities appear.

The Black Belt Behind the Striker

One of the more fascinating aspects of Creer’s BKFC career is that a major part of his martial-arts résumé can’t be directly used inside a bare-knuckle boxing match.

Creer is a BJJ black belt.

There are no takedowns and no submissions in BKFC, but years of grappling can still influence a fighter’s balance, body positioning, clinch awareness and ability to remain calm under pressure.

Creer’s extensive combat-sports experience gives him a toolbox developed through far more than boxing alone.

That experience now extends beyond his own fights.

Coach, Teacher and Bad Apple MMA

Fighting is only part of Creer’s involvement in combat sports.

He also teaches.

BKFC’s official biography notes that Creer teaches both Brazilian jiu-jitsu and striking, corners fighters and helps develop students competing at different levels.

Creer also founded Bad Apple MMA, an MMA and fitness program based in Columbus, Georgia, with classes held at F3.

It gives Creer a different perspective than many active competitors.

He isn’t only preparing for his next opponent.

He’s helping other fighters prepare for theirs.

Coaching forces fighters to analyze technique in a different way. Instead of simply reacting instinctively, they have to explain positioning, strategy and decision-making to someone else.

Creer has spent years occupying both roles.

Student and teacher.

Fighter and coach.

Competitor and cornerman.

Where Does Joseph Creer Go Next?

As of September 18, 2026, Creer’s next fight has not been officially announced.

BKFC’s official fighter page lists the Vidal victory as his most recent bout and lists him as active. The promotion’s current rankings have Creer sitting No. 4 in the cruiserweight rankings, behind Bryant Acheson, Lex Ludlow and Karl Thompson, with Esteban Rodriguez holding the championship.

Interestingly, BKFC’s individual fighter profile currently categorizes Creer as a light heavyweight, while its rankings page places him in the cruiserweight rankings. Regardless of the divisional label, his recent run has placed him squarely among fighters worth watching.

Four straight victories change the conversation.

A fighter who entered the bare-knuckle world with decades of martial-arts knowledge has now developed into an established BKFC competitor.

The Dark Knight’s Story Isn’t Finished

Joseph Creer’s career is a reminder that combat sports don’t always follow a predictable timetable.

He fought professionally in MMA.

He competed under the Bellator banner.

He defeated Lorenzo Hunt long before Hunt became a major BKFC name.

He earned his BJJ black belt.

He became a coach.

He built Bad Apple MMA.

And now, in his 40s, Creer is in the middle of one of the strongest stretches of his professional fighting career.

At 7-3 in BKFC and riding a four-fight winning streak, Joseph “Dark Knight” Creer isn’t simply relying on what he accomplished years ago.

He’s still adding chapters.

And after his dominant victory over Cody Vidal at Mohegan Sun, the biggest question surrounding the Dark Knight isn’t what he has already accomplished.

It’s who steps across the squared circle from him next?