Dalvin Blair’s journey to the bare-knuckle ring was never linear, comfortable, or guaranteed. It was built through instability, belief, and an unwavering sense of purpose that began long before his name was ever announced on fight night.
Raised within New Jersey’s foster care system, Blair spent his early years moving from place to place, learning quickly how to adapt and protect himself. Stability finally arrived when he was placed with the Blair family in Mays Landing, settling near the woods of Weymouth. It was there, surrounded by quiet roads and dense trees, that he found freedom, discipline, and an outlet for the energy that had nowhere else to go.
Like many kids searching for direction, Blair gravitated toward sports. Wrestling, karate, and other contact-based athletics gave him structure and a sense of belonging. Even then, fighting was never about aggression for him. It was instinctual, a natural response shaped by years of defending himself and those around him. Long before formal training, Blair was already studying fights, analyzing movements, predicting outcomes, and seeing the sport as something deeper than competition.
When friends encouraged him to finally step into the ring, the transition felt inevitable. What began with a simple pair of gloves quickly escalated. Within months, Blair was testing himself in unsanctioned bouts, and after his first fight, the direction of his life became clear. This was not a passing interest. This was the path.
That path would eventually lead him to the identity he now carries into every fight, The Hippie Disciple.
The name reflects a balance that defines Blair. On one side is compassion. He is open, empathetic, quick to smile, and deeply connected to the people around him. On the other side is discipline, rooted in faith and accountability. After years of reckless living, Blair reached a turning point while living in Newark. What followed was not just a lifestyle change, but a spiritual one. Service, prayer, and commitment to God became foundational elements of his life, influencing not only how he fights, but why he fights.
This spiritual grounding also shaped his transition into bare-knuckle fighting. Traditional boxing, while demanding, never fully aligned with Blair’s mindset. Gloves created distance. Bare knuckle combat stripped everything down to its rawest form. There was no illusion, no insulation, no hiding. For Blair, that honesty mattered.
Now competing in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, Blair approaches each fight with a mindset rooted in responsibility rather than recklessness. The ring is not chaos to him. It is a controlled release. It is where discipline, pain, and belief converge.
With a professional record that includes two knockouts, Blair has already proven his ability to finish fights, but statistics do not define his relationship with the sport. He views competition as part of a larger journey rather than a scoreboard. Victories are moments of gratitude. Losses are lessons.
That perspective was tested when he accepted a fight against one of the top-ranked opponents in the country on short notice. The bout went the distance, pushing Blair into deep waters both physically and mentally. Surrounded by a small corner that included his wife, he endured five rounds of pressure and proved he belonged at that level. Rather than retreat, the experience sharpened him.
Away from the lights and the violence, Blair’s priorities are clear. He is a husband and father first. Providing stability, love, and leadership to his family drives every decision he makes. His long-term vision extends beyond titles and rankings. Blair wants to build something lasting, a nonprofit gym designed to serve those who come from circumstances similar to his own. He sees combat sports not just as competition, but as a tool for structure, discipline, and saving lives.
New Jersey remains central to his identity. Born and raised in the state, Blair wears that connection with pride. He represents it unapologetically, carrying the grit and resilience of South Jersey wherever he competes.
For younger athletes watching his rise, Blair’s message is simple and direct. Background does not determine destiny. Faith, work ethic, and belief can rewrite any story.
As Dalvin Blair continues to move forward, the excitement surrounding his journey reaches beyond the ring. His development as a fighter is compelling, but his growth as a human being is what truly resonates. There is something powerful about watching a man carry faith, purpose, and accountability into one of the most unforgiving sports in the world. We look forward to supporting Blair as he continues to evolve, standing behind both the fighter and the values he represents. His journey is one worth believing in, and his cause is one worth supporting.
FULL QUESTIONNAIRE
Getting to know Dalvin Blair.
1. You’re from Mays Landing. How did growing up there shape you as a person and as a fighter?
I was raised in Foster care in NJ for my childhood, moving from county to county I finally moved to Mays Landing with the Blair’s when I was 8 years old in Oakcrest Estates. Mays Landing is a small town, so growing up here was quiet. You have a small group of friends, and you stick with them, but in my case, I played sports, and that’s what I love to do. I lived in the woods of Weymouth right outside of Mays Landing, so I primarily ran the woods and played outside as a child. We used to box my friends in this old pit near my house. That’s when I knew I was supposed to fight.
2. When did combat sports first enter your life, and what initially pulled you toward fighting?
I grew up fighting, defending my family, and standing up for myself in foster care.
Being a natural born protector, fighting is something that chose me. I feel as if i was a Warrior in my past life. As i got older i did karate, wrestling, and other contact sports, but shied away due to not wanting to hurt people.
3. At what point did you realize this was more than just a hobby, that it could become your path?
I have always watch boxing and fights. I used to predict what would happen before it would happen and a lot of my friends said you should be a fighter. One day I took their advice bought a pair of gloves and started boxing three months later I was on Streetbeefs fighting after the first fight I knew this is what I should be doing the motivation to want more. The strive to be the best is what intrigued me, but most of all the discipline.
4. Who were the biggest influences in your life growing up, inside or outside of sports?
So many coaches growing up taught me so much. I would listen to them talk about dreams that they had that they never got to fulfill and I used that to my advantage. I used to tell myself I will chase my dreams no matter what. Listen and learn from the last generation. Two fighters that changed the game for me were Kimbo Slice and Julian Lane. They both were huge influences to me.
The Fighter’s Journey!
5. You fight under the moniker The Hippie Disciple. What’s the story behind that name and what does it represent to you?
Hippie represents who I am as a person. I am happy, always willing to help another person, and will drop anything to save someone that’s in need. I also am very understanding and look at both sides of a situation. I used to have long dreadlocks and was a skateboarder for many years, so people would call me Hippie D.
Disciple comes from being a Disciple of God. As a skateboarder, I was partying, drinking, and was super careless. I was sinking to my lowest point and started to find God. I used to live in Newark, New Jersey, and feed the homeless and others in need after working at Dunkin’ Donuts.
They would call me a young Disciple.
Now i am known as HippieDisciple.
6. What drew you specifically to bare-knuckle fighting instead of traditional boxing or MMA?
Originally, I started with boxing, and I felt as if boxing wasn’t what I was looking for. I wanted something more along the lines of what being a warrior felt like. I’ve always had a connection to old school battle and gladiators. Fight to the death.
When I stepped into a ring with gloves on, I felt as if I was fake fighting. Not to say that boxing with gloves is not hard because I did it for four years, but there’s nothing like a fist-to-fist combat. I like the animalistic behavior behind it, the need to survive, the will to never give up.
7. Fighting in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship takes a different level of toughness. What mindset do you bring into a BKFC fight that’s different from other combat sports?
Stepping in the ring is the only time I’m allowed to let out the pain that I have inside me. The only place I am allowed to let that inner warrior and gladiator out. That feeling of protecting your family at all costs. When I step in that ring, there is no quit, no backing down. It’s one step in front of the other just like life. Never give up, never back down.
8. You currently hold a 2–1 record with two knockouts. What do those wins mean to you personally?
In truth winning, and losing doesn’t matter to me, it’s honestly about following God’s path without question or hesitation. Walking the walk that he provided for me without fear and all faith in him. Knockouts are nice, but when I walk into the back after the knockouts i don’t feel special or spectacular, the first thing I say to myself and corner is, I didn’t do that. That was God.
9. Your last fight ended in a decision loss. What lessons did you take from that fight, and how has it shaped your preparation moving forward?
I don’t consider a loss to be detrimental. I consider it to be a lesson. I learned a lot that fight. Taking on the #3 ranked opponent in the USA on a 12 day notice probably wasn’t the smartest decision, but I don’t like to back down from a good fight, and I have been telling everyone that was surrounding me that I need the hardest challenge possible. I’m glad that BKFC gave it to me. Now they know that I am a dog that I will go in there and stand in banging for five rounds. My game plan was to apply pressure on a back footed fighter who doesn’t like to fight and throw counters. I’m happy with what me and my team did considering my wife was my corner and my strength and conditioning coach was my other corner. This was the first time we were together in battle, and we completed five rounds of war. I came to fight. I came to put the pressure on and that’s exactly what I did. We came to throw power for five rounds to show that we are here to fight. This is where we belong and we are not running from anyone. This fight taught me to be more patient however being patient in the BKFC means you’re waiting around. This is a fighting organization. The fans deserve a fight. That’s what I came and will do every time I step in the ring when our loss it will be a war.
Each day I came in with a different plan. My first fight was to finish it with a right hand. My second fight was to finish it with a job and this fight I wanted to establish that we could work the body in the clinch.
10. What’s the biggest misconception people have about bare-knuckle fighters?
I think the biggest misconception people have about bare-knuckle fighters is that we’re all crazy, ignorant individuals. When in truth, we are some of the most God-fearing, heartfelt emotional individuals. Fighting for a cause bigger than us. Mind, Body, and Motivation
11. What motivates you on the days when training feels heavy or when doubt creeps in?
God blessed me with life today. Keep working. My wife, my kids, and the striving to show people to never give up. That you can never quit on yourself.
12. How do you mentally prepare before stepping into the ring, especially knowing there are no gloves to hide behind?
Prayer is where I find my calmness. I already know that this is where I’m meant to be so before I even step foot in the ring, I calm my mind down and say this is where you wanted me today. I am here for you. I never doubted nor hesitated to do what you ask me God.
13. Has fighting taught you anything about yourself that surprised you?
No, I knew who I was, and who I was meant to become. I always knew I was meant for greatness. To shine in the light and speak positivity to help others.
14. Outside of physical training, how do you keep your mind balanced and focused?
Outside of physical training, I love to spend time with my family, my wife, and learning the word of God. Physical training is a huge part of my balance for my mental health, but being around my loved ones is what keeps me focused. Providing something that was not provided for me as a child to my children is what keeps me going. Being a father, husband, and leader while showing love is the best balance for me.
Life Beyond the Ring
15. Who is Dalvin Blair when the gloves are off and the cameras are gone?
I am a community man, a leader, and an advocate for helping people in need. I believe that everyone needs each other to grow. I want to help as many kids as possible who grew up in the same predicament as me. I want to help as many homeless people as I can before I go and help get people off the streets and drugs. I believe that this is possible through hard work and dedication. Eventually, I want to open up a gym for my community that is primarily nonprofit, which will help people in need, not just help the business grow. This is a huge problem in my area; gyms are primarily for money, not for helping the community.
16. What hobbies or interests help you disconnect from the fight world?
Running, family time, fishing, and gaming helps but I’m a warrior and fighter at heart so I always tend to go back to thinking about fighting.
17. How do friends and family react to what you do for a living?
My friends and family think I’m crazy, some think I’m amazing, some think I’m just nuts, but I have had the same friends and primarily the same people around me since I was a child, so they know that I’m already crazy.
18. Has your journey as a fighter changed your perspective on life, relationships, or discipline?
No, not as much as being a father and husband. Carrying myself as a fighter, his number one, but being a fighter is number three, being a father to my children, and a husband to my wife has made my perspective of a fighter different. What I mean by that is, I have to be more disciplined in my relationships and life to be able to be the best fighter I can be.
Representing New Jersey
19. What does it mean to you to represent New Jersey every time you fight?
I love representing New Jersey. Born and raised in NJ. When I was a sophomore i got New Jersey tattooed on my ribs for wrestling to show that I’m ride or die for this state. I wear my tattoo with pride every state I go to fight or visit.
I am Jersey Strong!
20. What message do you want to send to young athletes coming up in South Jersey who might be watching your journey?
Never Give Up, Never Back Down.
You can come from nothing and still achieve your dreams as long as you put faith, hard work, and dedication. Anything in life is possible. I came from foster care and have had doubters my whole life; my own family said I would never be able to do this.
I pushed all the doubters away and put God first. Anything is possible if you want it. Chase your dreams because no one else will chase them for you.
21. How important is it for you to stay connected to your hometown as your career grows?
Truthfully, Mays Landing is where I was raised, but the small town doesn’t show love for local athletes as it should. So in reality, it’s not really important to stay in my hometown. I just want the world to know that your dreams can come true if you work hard and stay dedicated and disciplined.
Looking Ahead
22. What are your short-term and long-term goals in bare-knuckle fighting?
I want to fight the best of the best and prove that I am a savage inside the ring. I also want to help as many people outside the ring with the help of the BKFC. Whether it be through food, helping the homeless or providing a disciplined structure for other people. I want them to be able to look up to me and say this is how a man should be, God first, family second, and always chase your dreams. Eventually, I want to become a title holder and prove to the world that you can come from nothing. Have no one in your corner and still achieve your goals.
22. Is there a specific opponent or milestone that motivates you right now?
No, there are no opponents that motivate me to be better. I am just following the path that God provided for me. However, he puts it in front of me we shall battle.
24. When your fighting career is eventually over, how do you hope people remember Dalvin Blair?
I want people to remember me as a fighter. I want them to remember me as someone who stepped in the ring and fought, never backed down, and never gave up, no matter who was in front of me. I want them to watch my fights and always see me smiling, even when in pain. That is one thing that I have always done, which is have fun while I fight, and you can tell because I’m always smiling.
Fun and Personality Questions
25. Walkout song of choice, and why?
Wartime by Zauntee: I feel as if the song describes who and how I am as a person.
26. Favorite post-fight meal?
Milkshake with Fries
27. If you weren’t a fighter, what do you think you’d be doing right now?
I would be a landscaper, chief, or sports coach.
28. One thing fans would be surprised to learn about you?
I am a self-taught fighter from YouTube who started in a garage. I grew up in foster care. I have 6 children and two stepdaughters.
29. If The Hippie Disciple had a life motto, what would it be?
“Win, Lose, or Dra,w you are still a Warrior.”
