The Cuban boxer Leonardo Perdomo, "El Zambo de Cienfuegos", made headlines before the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) 87 event by interrupting the official weigh-in in Miami with a political message about the situation in Cuba.
The fighter, who competes in the heavyweight category, appeared before the cameras chained at the feet, hands, and neck, in a scene full of symbolism. The chains represented oppression, and in a powerful moment on stage, he chose to break them as a sign of liberation.
Before stepping on the scale, Perdomo performed a brief folk dance and displayed his attire with clear messages: on one leg of his shorts, it read "Down with communism," and on the other, "Free Cuba."
Then, facing everyone, he shouted a slogan that quickly went viral: "Let's break the chains, Cuba! Long live a free Cuba!"
The moment took place at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, the venue for BKFC 87, where the Cuban will face Rashad Coulter in one of the main fights on the card.
The gesture did not go unnoticed.
On social media, especially within the Cuban community in Miami, the scene was widely shared and celebrated. Many users expressed pride in seeing a Cuban athlete use an international platform to bring attention to the situation in the Island.
Content creator Eduardo Martell, known as "El Vikingo," shared images of the moment and wrote: "The Zambo from Cienfuegos has unleashed at the weigh-in for his Bare Knuckle fight! Freedom for Cuba and all of Cuba to the streets."
In another post, he emphasized that the fighter arrived with the Cuban flag and reiterated his message of freedom.
In the video shared on social media, it could be seen that Perdomo was wearing an outfit with a message directed at the Cuban leader, adding an even more direct tone to his protest.
A rising fighter
Tonight, Leonardo Perdomo (253.2) will face the American Rashad Coulter (256.4), who is 44 years old, ten years older than the Cuban. The fight is expected to be decided quickly.
Beyond the media impact of his appearance, El Zambo comes into this fight at one of the best moments of his career.
A native of Cienfuegos and now based in Miami, he has built a reputation as one of the most feared knockouts in bare-knuckle boxing.
In December, he achieved a perfect record of 10 wins without losses, all by knockout. That night, during the BKFC 86 event, he clearly dominated his opponent Corey Willis, knocking him down multiple times before the referee stopped the fight in the third round.
That performance established him as one of the leading figures in heavyweight division of this discipline, where his direct and explosive style has made him a highly effective competitor.
His rise has also sparked debate. While some critics point to his unorthodox style, others emphasize his decisiveness and ability to determine fights in just a few minutes.
The truth is that his impact has placed him among the most followed names in bare-knuckle boxing.
Sport and message
The appearance of "El Zambo" at the weigh-in goes beyond sports. His performance, filled with symbols and slogans, reflects how some Cuban athletes abroad use their visibility to express views on the reality of their country.
In this case, the message was clear and direct, without nuances: a condemnation of the situation in Cuba and a call for freedom, made on one of the most high-profile stages in combat sports in the United States.
With the fight yet to take place, it remains to be seen whether Perdomo will be able to back up his striking debut with another decisive victory.
But, win or lose, his appearance at the weigh-in has already created an image that is circulating on social media, which many interpret as an act of expression that goes beyond the ring.
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