Slaughter to Prevail frontman Alex Terrible recently opened up about his dislike for touring. He compared his music career to his side career as a bare knuckle fighter in a statement shared on Knuckle Hub.
The discussion arose when Alex Terrible was asked a direct question about his preferences between his two careers. When asked “Do you like screaming more or punching?”, the metal vocalist gave a candid response about the challenges of life on the road.
“Difficult question. I don’t know. I hate touring. That’s 100%,” Alex Terrible said. “I hate staying on the road because then I stay away from my family, from my house, from my wife, my kid, and my dog.”
The frontman elaborated on the personal toll that touring takes on his family life.
“I miss them every time I’m on the road,” he continued. “So probably [I like] punching more.”
The statement reveals the personal sacrifices that come with a touring musician’s lifestyle. It highlights the conflict between professional obligations and family commitments.
Alex Terrible’s preference for bare knuckle fighting over touring has become increasingly evident through his recent career decisions and public statements. His commitment to prioritizing family time over extended road commitments has significantly impacted both his fighting and music careers.
SI.com reported that Alex Terrible (Aleksandr Shikolay) recently competed in the BKFC Blood 4 Blood main event on May 6, 2026. He lost to Cameron Delano by third-round TKO. Despite the defeat, the fight reinforced his preference for bare knuckle fighting’s shorter commitments over lengthy touring schedules.
“Touring rips me from my family for months; one fight like this lets me fight my demons and get home fast,” Shikolay stated in a post-fight interview. He emphasized how bare knuckle fighting allows him to maintain his competitive edge while staying close to home.
The impact of his family-first philosophy has extended to Slaughter to Prevail’s touring plans. Metal Injection revealed that the band canceled their fall 2026 European tour leg in March 2026. Shikolay explained that endless road life “destroys my soul and keeps me from my kids—bare knuckle is my outlet now, quick wars that end with me back home, not in another hotel.”
In a recent interview, Shikolay further elaborated on his career priorities. Loudwire documented his deep frustration with touring’s impact on his family relationships. He stated: “Being on the road with the band feels like prison; BKFC fights are brutal but brief—I train local, fight once a month max, and stay with my family. Music will always be there, but they won’t wait forever.”
The frontman’s shift toward bare knuckle fighting represents more than just a career change. It reflects a fundamental restructuring of his priorities around family stability. He plans to participate in 4-6 BKFC bouts between 2026-2027. He is choosing this schedule over any significant Slaughter to Prevail touring commitments.
