1/23 1:55 PM PT -- 1/23 -- TMZ Sports talked to Lorenzo Hunt and Mike Richman -- who came to blows at a media event promoting their upcoming fight -- and it's apparent there's real bad blood between the men.
Lorenzo Hunt and Mike Richman, Bare Knuckle Fighting champions, were involved in a full-on brawl at a media event promoting their upcoming fight ... after some back-and-forth smack talk turned physical.
40-year-old Hunt, the BKFC light heavyweight (and cruiserweight, too) champ and 37-year-old Richman, the interim light heavyweight champ, came to blows while promoting their BKFC Knucklemania 3 main event on February 17 in New Mexico.
FYI, former boxing champ Austin Trout and MMA legend Diego Sanchez are also fighting on the card.
The men started jawing at each other, while BKFC founder David Feldman stood in between them attempting to keep the peace.
It didn't work ... at all.
Hunt, done with the talking, smacked Richman right in the face, and the fight was on.
Lorenzo and Mike then began pushing, before ultimately going to the ground.
Peace was eventually restored ... and we're guessing the guys won't soon find themselves in the same room with each other without a whole gang of security.
But, fortunately for them, they can legally put hands on each other in less than one month!
Originally Published -- 1/19 4:19 PM PT