As excitement builds ahead of the showdown in Atlanta, DAZN News uncover a little more about Elmore. What's his background? His history? His fighting style?  Let's uncover a little more about the man they call 'Hitman'.

1. Joe Elmore: the man behind "Hitman"

Born and raised in Georgia, Joe Elmore is a bare-knuckle fighter whose nickname, "Hitman," encapsulates his approach to combat.

Known for his ferocity and resilience, Elmore has carved out a significant presence in BKFC since transitioning from traditional combat sports.

With a gritty background and a relentless forward drive, he represents the tough-as-nails persona synonymous with bare-knuckle fighting.

2. A journey through combat sports

Before stepping into the squared circle, Elmore built his reputation in traditional MMA. Over the years, he honed his striking skills and developed a fighting style characterized by raw aggression.

Transitioning to BKFC allowed him to channel his striking ability into an arena where toughness and precision are paramount, making him a natural fit for bare-knuckle fighting​.

• Read next | Michael Larrimore: A rising star of BKFC

3. Elmore's fighting style: all heart and heavy hands

Elmore’s style is aggressive and crowd-pleasing. He thrives in high-octane exchanges, often pushing the pace and drawing his opponents into wars of attrition.

It is high risk and high reward stuff and while it has not always worked out in his favour the approach has earned him a loyal fan base and the ability to claim some of BKFC’s most memorable fights - the clash with Leonard Garcia in 2021, where he lost a unanimous decision, certainly being one of these.

4. Notable Bouts and Rivalries

Elmore has faced tough opponents, including Conor Tierney and Garcia, in matches that tested his grit. While his record reflects ups and downs, his ability to deliver exciting performances never wavers. These battles have cemented his reputation as one of BKFC's must-watch fighters​.

5. The Road to BKFC69

At BKFC69, Elmore faces Derrick Findley in what promises to be another hard-hitting showdown. For Elmore, this fight is an opportunity to bounce back from recent challenges and reassert himself as a top contender.

He is lost his last three bouts and at 42 years of age it’s probably fair to say that his career is heading into its twilight. Although they may try, fighters can’t go on forever but wins always make it easier to keep on heading back into the ring.

Known for leaving everything in the Squared Circle, he is sure to bring his trademark intensity to Atlanta​.

Watch BKFC69 live on DAZN on Friday night

Watch BKFC69 live on Friday on DAZN via subscription.

Signing up for a subscription right now, with both annual and monthly options, will get you a ringside seat to the biggest fights still to come this year and into 2025.

DAZN is the home of combat sports, broadcasting over 150 fights a year across boxing, bare knuckle boxing, MMA and crossover boxing.

It is not just about fight night, a DAZN membership also includes access to documentaries and features, weekly boxing magazine shows, live fight watchalongs, press conferences, weight-ins, open workouts, exclusive interviews and access to training camps, and podcasts and vodcasts.

Sign up here for a DAZN subscription