MMA News

Category: BKFC

Latest BKFC news. The Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship league was founded in 2018 by former professional boxer David Feldman.

  • Yoel Romero, Three Other UFC & PFL Alumni Sign With BKFC

    Yoel Romero, Three Other UFC & PFL Alumni Sign With BKFC

    Four former UFC fighters, including a trio of former UFC title challengers, are going from the MMA world to the world of bare-knuckle fighting.

    During the BKFC Champions Summit press conference with Conor McGregor, held at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas ahead of BKFC 48, McGregor announced the additions of Yoel Romero, Thiago Santos, Derek Brunson, and Aspen Ladd to the BKFC roster.

    Romero and Santos were the particular focuses of the announcement — highlighting their striking power and their veteran statuses.

    BKFC Announces Four Signings, Including Yoel Romero And Thiago Santos

    Romero and Santos, in fact, faced off in MMA just a year-and-a-half ago. The two faced off during the PFL vs. Bellator broadcast, with Romero, who was representing Bellator, winning via a clear unanimous decision.

    Romero has not fought in MMA since the win, while Santos had one more fight, a short-notice loss to eventual 2024 PFL heavyweight champion Denis Goltsov during the regular season.

    Romero — a freestyle wrestling silver medalist at the 2000 Olympics and a former freestyle wrestling World and Pan-American champion — went 16-7 in professional MMA, including a 9-4 UFC record. Romero scored victories over the likes of Lyoto Machida, Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, and Chris Weidman, but was unsuccessful in middleweight title challenges of Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya.

    Romero then had a five-fight stint in Bellator, going 3-2 — which included the win over Santos and an unsuccessful title shot against then-Bellator light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov.

    Santos fought in the UFC for about a decade, but his biggest stretch came when he jumped from middleweight to light heavyweight. Santos would finish Eryk Anders, Jimi Manuwa, and Jan Blachowicz, receiving a title shot against then-champ Jon Jones at UFC 239. Santos would lose in a controversial decision. That would be the start of a downward stretch Santos never recovered from, losing all but one of his fights since the Jones loss.

    After his tenure with the UFC, Santos fought in the PFL, debuting with a loss to Rob Wilkinson — a bout that would be overturned to a no contest.

    Brunson came into the UFC as Strikeforce was being merged with the promotion and slowly being folded. Brunson earned victories over the likes of Lorenz Larkin, Uriah Hall, Lyoto Machida, and Kevin Holland, as well as losses to Souza, Whittaker, Adesanya, Anderson Silva, Jared Cannonier, and Dricus Du Plessis. Brunson fought in MMA once after his UFC days — a win over Ray Cooper III at the 2023 PFL World Championships.

    Ladd debuted in Invicta in 2015 and went unbeaten in five fights before joining the UFC two years later. Ladd won her first three UFC bouts before a loss to Germaine de Randamie. Ladd would struggle with consistent success — and had a near-two-year period of inactivity at one point — before parting ways with the UFC after a 2022 loss to Raquel Pennington.

    Ladd debuted in PFL in November of that year with a win over former Bellator champion Julia Budd. She then competed in the 2023 women’s featherweight season, losing to Olena Kolesnyk but defeating Karolina Sobek. Ladd missed the playoffs but fought in a showcase bout later that year, losing to current UFC women’s bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison.

    Ladd’s last MMA fight came at the Bellator Champions Series event in Paris in May 2024, defeating Ekaterina Shakalova.

  • Austin Trout Teammate Clarifies BKFC Title Situation

    Austin Trout Teammate Clarifies BKFC Title Situation

    Austin Trout is quietly no longer the BKFC welterweight champion, with a vacant title clash already booked, and one of Trout’s teammates at Main Street Boxing has some insights into this situation. Appearing on Bare Knuckle Bowker, Ike Villanueva discussed multiple topics ahead of his eventual first-round TKO victory over Eric Olsen at BKB 42: Music City Brawl on June 21st.

    Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship has announced a vacant welterweight title fight between Gorjan Slaveski and Julian Lane for BKFC Sturgis in August, which has left some fans wanting answers. When Trout’s teammate and former BKB champion was questioned about the situation with BKFC’s welterweight strap, Villanueva said,

    “Yeah, I think Austin; don’t let me fool you, I think Austin got a little hand injury. But I do believe he wants to go down in weight. So we’ll see what happens. I know he wants to go down. He’s been fighting big, but Austin’s one of the best. For the guys in BKFC, man, there’s nobody that can touch him on the boxing standpoint. You see what he does. He’s one of the greatest southpaw defense, and in that big ring, he’s gonna make you look stupid. I mean the guy’s legit, man. Austin Trout, ‘No Doubt’ Trout, man, he’s the real deal.”

    “I’m glad to call him my friend, teammate, and he’s doing great things for BKFC. You’ll hear something real soon coming from him. But like I said, I think he’s dealing with a little hand injury, and he’ll bounce back, man. Like I said, he [will be] the double champ. That interim title don’t mean nothing. Interim champion means temporary champion.”

    Villanueva continued, “Once you get the real champ under that name, then it’s something serious. But there’s nothing to be worried about… I believe that’s the goal he wants to go to [BKFC double champ], and like I said, I’ll let him make that official. But the birds that are chirping, that’s what we’re hearing.”

    Austin Trout and his bare-knuckle boxing speed run

    Austin Trout came into the world of gloveless combat with a decorated boxing resume and has taken over the world of BKFC in lightning quick fashion. After a victory via fourth-round doctor stoppage over former UFC title challenger and TUF season one champion Diego Sanchez, Trout was off to the races.

    His sophomore bout in bare-knuckle boxing saw him defeat then number-one pound-for-pound ranked BKFC fighter Luis Palomino to claim the welterweight belt at BKFC 57. Trout has since gone on to notch masterclass title defenses against Rico Franco and Carlos Trinidad-Snake at BKFC on DAZN 1 and BKFC 71, respectively.

  • Donald Sanchez on the Variables of Pressure and Altitude in Hometown BKFC Title Bid

    Donald Sanchez on the Variables of Pressure and Altitude in Hometown BKFC Title Bid

    Donald Sanchez is back in his home town ready to sell the joint out as he collides with the number one pound for pound ranked BKFC fighter. Sanchez will look to unseat David Mundell from his middleweight championship throne in the headliner of BKFC 75 on June 6th. When the title challenger was asked on Bare Knuckle Bowker about how much it adds to the fight being on home soil, Sanchez said

    “It’s actually pretty stressful fighting in your hometown. People don’t realize that and Dave [Feldman] keeps saying that I only want to fight here. I fight wherever BKFC sends me. So it’s cool. I’ve got tons of support out here. I get the energy from the people but I had to really lock in these last couple weeks and and seclude myself from everybody, you know, last minute ticket buyers and whatnot. So it’s fun. It’s high up here, the altitude, the elevation, and I’m used to it on the daily. So there’s the perks that I get out of this.”

    Donald Sanchez and the variable of high altitude familiarity here

    While we haven’t really seen gas tank issues with David Mundell per se, Sanchez’s familiarity with the heightened elevation of New Mexico can be a notable variable within this particular fight here. As he expounded upon those dynamics, Sanchez quipped,

    “Well we haven’t seen his gas tank because no one’s pressured him. No one’s put him on his feet except maybe like Julian Lane put him on his feet and gave him trouble. But once I’m able to go in there and put the pressure on him and and in the elevation, you know, you’re sucking in less oxygen out here and I really think he’s looking down on that. I don’t think he’s taking it seriously. So we’re about to find out.”

    When asked if he thinks ‘Redneck’ is overlooking the altitude component before preparing to defend his BKFC middleweight belt in the coming days, Donald Sanchez stated.

    “Well he keeps mentioning that. Pushing to our limits and and that’s all it’s about, you know. So huge credit goes to them but I also have a whole team of coaches and they push me daily. I have straight boxing coaches, I have a an older MMA coach, and it takes a good mixture of everything. So I have the right individuals around me pushing me.”

  • Donald Sanchez on Fighting BKFC’s Pound For Pound Number One Fighter For His Belt

    Donald Sanchez on Fighting BKFC’s Pound For Pound Number One Fighter For His Belt

    Donald Sanchez is obviously keen on the idea of winning a world title but it would be a truly great accolade to defeat the number one pound-for-pound fighter in BKFC. Sanchez appeared on Bare Knuckle Bowker ahead of his middleweight title bid against reigning champion David Mundell in the main event of BKFC 75 set for June 6th. When discussing if it was of particular significance to potentially gain a big win over the elite caliber bare knuckle boxer, Sanchez said,

    “Absolutely, you know. That’s cool and everything but that’s why we do this stuff. We want to fight the best. I don’t care about fighting the YouTubers and all that [ __ ]. So I’m here to fight the best and that’s what I want to do. I kept asking for it, asking for it, asking for it. Fighting, fighting, fighting, and finishing the fights and here we go, you know. I get to prove who I am, prove that I’m one of the best, prove that I am the best, and then in action, I get that belt as well. So I get to go fight the number one pound-for-pound guy in the world for his belt. So I mean what more can you ask for? That’s badass, you know.”

    Donald Sanchez and the fight IQ he brings to this BKFC 75 title bid

    Donald Sanchez has had this David Mundell fight on his radar for a while but there are no localized approaches he takes to gameplanning for certain fighters and he instead focuses on his personal refinement to be adaptable on fight night. When expounding upon this in greater detail, Sanchez stated,

    “I don’t personalize per fight. I personalize for myself. I get myself better. I have a very high IQ in that ring. So I can adapt to a situation and figure out what I need to do to win fights. So it’s not one specific style. I can go in there and do several different styles and showcase that. As you’ve seen, every single one of my opponents they’ve been a different style.”

    “I don’t know if you look back but that every single one of them is different and I’ve adapted to each and every one of them. So the closest that this style comes up to is my last fight, Harrison Aiken. I think that was a perfect style for me to go and test what I can do against this. I’ve always trained with that type of style we’ll just say. So I think I have the kryptonite for this.”

  • Brandon Birr on Yampier Ramirez, BKB 41, and Harold McQueen Rubber Match

    Brandon Birr on Yampier Ramirez, BKB 41, and Harold McQueen Rubber Match

    Brandon Birr prepares to battle Yampier Ramirez at BKB 41 on May 31st and the former addressed the likely title eliminator stakes here as well as his history with the BKB featherweight champ when the former appeared on Bare Knuckle Bowker. There are some pretty large implications for the weight class with the two top contenders in the weight class battling it out. Birr was the inaugural titleholder in BKB’s featherweight ranks and when the former champion in that division was asked about when the surging, unbeaten young contender first got on his radar, Brandon Birr said,

    “He’s good. He’s a good boxer but to be 100% honest with you, he wasn’t on my radar because he’s fought; so he has two bare knuckle fights. He won both of them, he looked good, but he fought garbage cans basically. His opponents’ combined record is 0 and 4, you know. So he looked really good but he hasn’t been fighting any type of quality opponents in my opinion. But he did have a boxing career before this and he’s a good boxer.”

    “I’m not taking anything away from him at all. But to give him a number one ranking above me doesn’t make any type of sense to me. Just based off of if you go just off of paper, you know, it doesn’t make any type of sense. But you know, it is what it is. It doesn’t really you know affect how I get ready for the fight or how I view the fight. He’s a good boxer and it’s going to be a fun fight. We’re going to beat the [ __ ] out of each other and somebody’s going to bleed.”

    Brandon Birr on Harold McQueen trilogy and the path toward a 2nd title reign

    Brandon Birr presently has a 1-1 record against the BKB titleholder in his weight category and seems focused on this weekend’s task but also hungry for a rubber match someday. When touching upon the possible chance of becoming a bare knuckle featherweight champion again and the possible chance for a tiebreaker against reigning BKB champion Harold McQueen, Brandon Birr stated.

    “Harold McQueen’s the only person that’s beaten me in my combat career, you know, standing up with fists ever. I’ve been fighting for 10 years and he’s the only person to beat me with fists. So that’s; they could even keep the title. They could keep it like I don’t even give a [ __ ] about the title. They can keep that. I just want to get mine back, you know what I mean? Just to show myself that that’s the way that it is, you know.”

  • Watch Ex-UFC Heavyweight Aleksei Oleinik, 47, Suffer Sickening KO In BKFC Debut

    Watch Ex-UFC Heavyweight Aleksei Oleinik, 47, Suffer Sickening KO In BKFC Debut

    Things didn’t go to plan for Aleksei Oleinik in his first taste of BKFC action.

    Oleinik, a veteran of 80 professional MMA fights, switched to a new combat sport Friday in Dubai, competing in bare-knuckle boxing under the prominent banner of BKFC.

    The company, which is co-owned by Conor McGregor, received some flak for signing 47-year-old Oleinik, who is known for his submission skills and has recorded just eight knockouts across his lengthy MMA career.

    And the fears of many came true at BKFC 71 when “The Boa Constrictor” was rendered unconscious by a brutal right hand from opponent Gerônimo dos Santos.

    Interestingly, while he’s signed to compete for BKFC, Oleinik also this year signed with the Global Fight League, a new MMA league set to launch next month. He was drafted by Team New York City and remains without a debut fight in the calendar.

    Judging by the sickening nature of his KO on Friday, it would stand to reason that the Russian won’t be returning anytime soon.

  • Former UFC Title Challenger Ends Retirement, Signs With BKFC

    Former UFC Title Challenger Ends Retirement, Signs With BKFC

    A veteran of the UFC is returning from a combat sports retirement, but not to re-commence her career inside the Octagon.

    Jessica Eye competed 16 times on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage after signing in 2013, recording victories over the likes of Katlyn Cerminara and Viviane Araújo.

    Her peak came in 2019 when she challenged Valentina Shevchenko for the women’s flyweight title. Eye ultimately ended up securing a spot on “Bullet’s” highlight reel after being knocked out by a brutal head kick at UFC 238.

    A four-fight losing skid soon followed, and after a decision setback to Maycee Barber in mid-2022, “Evil” Eye called time on her career.

    Three years later, the now 38-year-old is set to resume her stint in combat sports under a new banner — Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.

    During an appearance on Tuesday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Eye announced her new venture while taking a dig at the UFC, who she said did not ‘take care’ of her.

    “After a long time of negotiation, I am signing with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship,” Eye said. “I started out boxing… They finally came financially correct and motivated me enough to be like, you know what? Maybe these guys will take care of me in a way that I wasn’t taken care of in my UFC fights and that’s financially rewarding.”

    With that, Eye marks the latest in a slew of notable UFC names to cross over to the world of bare-knuckle boxing. Prominent MMA figures like Mike Perry, Luke Rockhold, Eddie Alvarez, Ben Rothwell, Chad Mendes, and Paige VanZant have also appeared in the BKFC ring.

  • BKFC Ice Wars Set To Debut In June With Hockey-Style Fights

    BKFC Ice Wars Set To Debut In June With Hockey-Style Fights

    The combat sports world has witnessed its fair share of wild innovations, but BKFC’s latest venture is a whole new frontier.

    On Wednesday, the bare-knuckle fighting promotion announced its partnership with an existing firm known as Ice Wars to form BKFC Ice Wars, a new league founded by company executive Charlie Nama. The league will feature fighters from around the world competing on a sheet of ice in regulated hockey-style fights.

    According to a press release from the promotion, BKFC founder David Feldman announced that the bouts will be “legal, sanctioned, and regulated hockey fights” held in a unique setting called “The Ice Box,” a 900-square-foot enclosure built specifically for ice combat.

    The inaugural BKFC Ice Wars event, titled “Battle of the Borders,” will take place at Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, on June 14, featuring a clash between U.S. and Canadian fighters. A second event is set for June 28 at River Cree Casino & Resort in Enoch, Alberta, Canada.

    The ice-fighting league plans to launch with at least six events in 2025, with ambitions to expand to as many as 24 by 2026.

    BKFC Ice Wars has established its own set of rules and regulations, with each bout consisting of a minimum of three rounds and a maximum of five. Each round will last no more than 90 seconds, with fighters getting a one-minute rest period between rounds.

    Additionally, two referees will oversee each fight, with one serving as the lead referee and sole arbiter. If the bout goes the distance, three judges will score it based on the overall performance rather than a round-by-round system.

    The scoring system will follow a structure similar to MMA, with judges evaluating fights based on three key criteria: effective striking (Plan A), effective aggressiveness (Plan B), and control of the fighting area (Plan C). Plan B and Plan C will only come into play if the judges deem Plan A to be even.

    Effective striking is assessed by the impact and effectiveness of legal strikes landed. Effective aggressiveness refers to a fighter’s ability to actively push for a finish, while control of the fighting area is determined by who dictates the pace, positioning, and overall flow of the bout.

    BKFC Ice Wars will feature four standard weight divisions: heavyweight (over 200 lbs.), cruiserweight (175–200 lbs.), middleweight (150–175 lbs.), and lightweight (under 150 lbs.). Fighters will compete wearing four-ounce MMA gloves along with traditional hockey jerseys and protective gear.

  • Conor McGregor Snubs UFC When Naming ‘Best Heavyweight Division In Combat Sports’

    Conor McGregor Snubs UFC When Naming ‘Best Heavyweight Division In Combat Sports’

    Jon Jones and the rest of the UFC’s heavyweight division may need to take notice, as the promotion has been snubbed by one of its biggest box office attractions — Conor McGregor.

    The former two-division UFC champion recently praised Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship’s (BKFC) heavyweight division, drawing attention to its growing roster.

    On Tuesday, the BKFC confirmed that Kenzie “TCB” Morrison, son of the late Tommy Morrison, had officially signed with the organization. Morrison, who boasts a knockout record of 20 wins in 22 fights, joins BKFC after a successful boxing career.

    His signing has drawn praise from the promotion’s part-owner, Conor McGregor, who took to X to celebrate BKFC’s heavyweight division, calling it “the best” in all of combat sports in response to BKFC’s claim that things were “getting interesting.”

    BKFC founder Dave Feldman has called Morrison an “enormous addition” to their stacked heavyweight division. The date and location of his debut fight are yet to be announced.

    Tommy Morrison, best known for his 1993 WBO heavyweight title victory over George Foreman and his role as “Tommy Gunn” in Rocky V, passed away in September 2013 at the age of 44.

  • 47-Year-Old UFC Vet With Only 8 KOs In 80 Fights Set For BKFC Debut

    47-Year-Old UFC Vet With Only 8 KOs In 80 Fights Set For BKFC Debut

    Aleksei Oleinik, a veteran of 80 professional MMA fights, is transitioning to a new combat sports arena: Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC).

    At 47, Oleinik is not retiring. Instead, he’s embracing a fresh challenge.

    Oleinik’s career has been a global odyssey, with appearances in prominent promotions like the UFC, KSW, and Bellator. Now, he’s set to make his BKFC debut on April 4 in Dubai, marking the promotion’s inaugural event in the United Arab Emirates.

    His opponent will be Gerônimo dos Santos, a 44-year-old Brazilian heavyweight with a wealth of experience, boasting 71 professional fights. Oleinik’s message of “Bone. Blood. Fist.” reflects his anticipation for the bare-knuckle challenge.

    This move follows Oleinik’s submission victory at RCC 17 in December 2023. Notably, he also showcased his striking prowess with a 34-second knockout in his boxing debut, demonstrating his versatility beyond his renowned submission skills.

    During his 17-fight UFC tenure, Oleinik secured seven of his nine wins via submission. This earned him the moniker “The Boa Constrictor” for his grappling expertise. 

    Interestingly, while he’s signed to compete for BKFC, Oleinik has also put pen to paper on a deal with the new MMA promotion, Global Fight League. He was drafted by Team New York City.

    His UFC record includes unique submission victories, such as Ezekiel chokes and neck cranks. He faced a who’s who of heavyweight talent, including Curtis Blaydes, Mark Hunt, Travis Browne, Alistair Overeem, and former UFC champion Fabricio Werdum.

    This event marks BKFC’s first-ever event into the Middle East, specifically in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The event will be held at the Dubai Tennis Stadium. The main event features Austin Trout, the current BKFC welterweight champion, defending his title against Carlos “Snake” Trinidad.

  • Conor McGregor Hints At BKFC’s Biggest Signing Yet: ‘Stay Tuned…’

    Conor McGregor Hints At BKFC’s Biggest Signing Yet: ‘Stay Tuned…’

    Conor McGregor is teasing what could be BKFC’s most monumental signing yet — MMA icon Fedor Emelianenko.

    Since becoming a part owner of BKFC in April last year, “The Notorious” has injected fresh energy into the promotion, reigniting its buzz and mainstream appeal. McGregor has also vowed to elevate the sport to new heights by bringing in marquee talent.

    During a press conference on Sunday to promote BKFC Florence, set for April 26, McGregor dropped a tantalizing hint that Emelianenko could soon join the promotion as part of their ongoing push to elevate the sport.

    The Irishman’s attention piqued when a reporter lauded his achievements, drawing comparisons to legends like Emelianenko and Royce Gracie.

    “Fedor Emelianenko?” McGregor said. “Stay tuned, we might have some announcement with Fedor Emelianenko. Hey Fedor, we’re waiting. Some news might be coming with Fedor Emelianenko. Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship is signing and acquiring the best fighters of all time, past, present and future, and everyone wants to be a part of this.”

    “The Last Emperor,” hailed as one of the greatest heavyweight fighters in MMA history, was last seen competing at Bellator 290 in February 2023. His final outing concluded in disappointment as he suffered a first-round knockout loss to Ryan Bader in their rematch.

    Since hanging up his gloves, Emelianenko has offered few hints of a comeback to active competion. The 48-year-old Russian boasts a storied MMA record of 40-7, featuring victories over legends like Mirko Cro Cop, Mark Coleman, Kevin Randleman and Andrei Arlovski, among others.

  • BKFC President On Potential Ben Rothwell vs. Francis Ngannou Fight: ‘[PFL] Don’t Want To Partner With Us’

    BKFC President On Potential Ben Rothwell vs. Francis Ngannou Fight: ‘[PFL] Don’t Want To Partner With Us’

    BKFC founder David Feldman isn’t holding much hope of the PFL allowing heavyweight star Francis Ngannou to answer Ben Rothwell’s recent callout.

    Rothwell has enjoyed a fruitful stint in bare-knuckle boxing since his lengthy tenure in the UFC reached its conclusion after 17 fights back in 2021. “Big Ben” has amassed a 4-0 record under the BKFC banner with nothing but knockouts.

    His latest victory was at last month’s KnuckleMania V event in Philadelphia, where the veteran heavyweight delivered an early Knockout of the Year candidate. A violent 36-second finish of Mick Terrill secured Rothwell the BKFC heavyweight title, and all eyes will certainly now be on the 43-year-old’s next outing.

    The American set his sights high during his post-fight press conference, dropping the name of former UFC champion and current PFL Super Fights titleholder Francis Ngannou as a desired opponent.

    During a recent interview with MMA Knockout, the BKFC president addressed that suggestion, explaining why he doesn’t see it as a possibility despite his promotion’s willingness to do business with rival organizations like the PFL.

    “That would be a fantastic payday for Ben Rothwell, and I wouldn’t be opposed to something like that happening,” Feldman said. “But I just don’t think the PFL are gonna do it.

    “UFC doesn’t need us, and all the rest of the promotions really don’t want to help us out because it’s just gonna help us get bigger and bigger. So, they don’t wanna do that,” Feldman continued. “They don’t wanna partner with us because they feel it’s gonna help us and not help them as much as it could because Francis Ngannou is a big name.”

    Ngannou has competed just once in the PFL since signing in May 2023, knocking out Renan Ferreira in quick time last October.

    Having previously fought Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in boxing, “The Predator” is expected to return to the ring for his next combat sports outing.

  • Eddie Alvarez Reveals X-Ray Of Gruesome Broken Jaw Suffered In BKFC Loss

    Eddie Alvarez Reveals X-Ray Of Gruesome Broken Jaw Suffered In BKFC Loss

    Alongside his first statement on this past weekend’s result, Eddie Alvarez has revealed the brutal injury he sustained at BKFC KnuckleMania V.

    Alvarez, a former UFC lightweight champion, fell to a negative 1-2 record under the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship at Saturday’s high-profile event in his home city of Philadelphia.

    After splitting his first two outings in 2023 — defeating Chad Mendes before a corner stoppage gave Mike Perry victory at his expense — “The Underground King” headlined the fifth installment of KnuckleMania opposite fellow former UFC fighter Jeremy Stephens.

    After three rounds, Alvarez was deemed unable to continued by his corner, who chose to wave off the contest. That decision was widely supported, and anyone who questioned it likely won’t be anymore after seeing the damage “Lil Heathen” dealt his opponent’s way.

    In a recent post on Instagram, the defeated 41-year-old displayed an X-ray image showing the gruesome jaw break he suffered at the hands of Stephens.

    “Got hit with a kill shot in the first or second … I did my best to keep a Gameface and ignore it,” Alvarez wrote. “By the 3rd round the damage was too much. Please understand how bad I wanted this and what I sacrificed in order to Win, it wasn’t my night. Bare Knuckle is as real as it gets. Unpredictable, Fast Pace and violent …. Congrats to all the new Up and coming Philly stand outs @cody__fights @teamgarbarino @theanimalbkfc @hevweightbrady on their wins. You Men are the Future and made Philadelphia Proud, I’m soo Happy for our City and the future of our Combat Athletes.

    “Whether I win or lose is not as important as Philadelphia/Pennsylvania slowly becoming the most dominate Area in the country for Combat Sports. @bareknucklefc is the fastest Growing and will be the Greatest Show on Earth .. Mark my words 👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼🙏🏼 Thank you Philadelphia for showing out … 👊🏼👊🏼”

    Alvarez didn’t provide an update on his fighting future in the caption of the post.

    Prior to a 13-month layoff, “The Underground King” had suffered two orbital fractures during his defeat to “Platinum” Perry in Salt Lake City.

  • BKFC’s Ben Rothwell Catches Attention Of Different Ex-UFC Heavyweight After Calling Out Francis Ngannou

    BKFC’s Ben Rothwell Catches Attention Of Different Ex-UFC Heavyweight After Calling Out Francis Ngannou

    Should his callout of Francis Ngannou fall on deaf ears, BKFC star Ben Rothwell looks to have at least one other high-profile option for his next fight.

    Rothwell has established himself as a dominant force in bare-knuckle boxing since his 17-fight tenure under the UFC banner reached its conclusion in 2021.

    “Big Ben” has gone 4-0 under the BKFC banner, with every win coming via knockout. His most recent triumph was at this past weekend’s KnuckleMania V event in Philadelphia, where the 43-year-old powerhouse delivered an early Knockout of the Year contender.

    With his violent 36-second KO of Mick Terrill, Rothwell captured the BKFC heavyweight title. Plenty of eyes will no doubt now be on the veteran’s next outing, and he’s setting his sights high.

    During his post-fight press conference, Rothwell name-dropped a former UFC champion and the current PFL Super Fights heavyweight titleholder as a potential opponent.

    “Francis Ngannou maybe,” Rothwell said. “We need to get some big names in this. I don’t know who’s on the roster, especially after tonight, that’s jumping in to fight me. They’ll say it but when it really comes down to it and I’m standing in front of you, things change.”

    Whether or not that could come to fruition remains to be seen. Ngannou is tied up with the PFL and expected to explore boxing options in 2025 following battles with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

    But should that rule “The Predator” out, another former UFC heavyweight is interested in the assignment.

    “U sure u want the smoke @rothwellfighter lets see it then,” Mark Hunt wrote on X.

    Rothwell and Hunt are familiar with one another, having shared the Octagon at UFC 135 back in 2011. “The Super Samoan” emerged victorious at the event, outpointing his American counterpart across three rounds.

    While “Big Ben” has been racking up wins in BKFC, the New Zealander hasn’t competed since defeating rugby legend Sonny Bill Williams in the boxing ring three years ago. He’s remained in the headlines due to his legal dispute with the UFC.

  • ‘Make It Happen’ – Fans React To Jeremy Stephens Facing Off With Conor McGregor After Stopping Eddie Alvarez At BKFC KnuckleMania V

    ‘Make It Happen’ – Fans React To Jeremy Stephens Facing Off With Conor McGregor After Stopping Eddie Alvarez At BKFC KnuckleMania V

    In a battle of former power-punching UFC stars, Jeremy Stephens was able to come away with a huge victory, knocking out hometown hero Eddie Alvarez in Philadelphia in the main event of BKFC’s KnuckleMania V.

    The two started the fight with some feeling out before Alvarez connected with a pair of left jabs. “Lil Heathen” started to get a rhythm, but Alvarez got into his own groove, working Stephens over with crisp combinations.

    The former UFC champion started to work the body in the second round, but Stephens picked up his pace and power, landing stronger shots. Alvarez, however, took back control of the fight in the second half of the round.

    A right hand from “Lil Heathen” dropped Alvarez to start the third round. While “The Underground King” got back to his feet, Stephens aimed to get the finish, rushing forward and focusing on the jab.

    He was able to drop Alvarez with another right hand in the round’s closing seconds, and while the Philadelphia native saw the bell, his corner elected to wave the fight off after the round, giving Stephens the victory in enemy territory.

    Following his victory, Stephens had a faceoff with BKFC part-owner Conor McGregor, who once infamously asked who “Lil Heathen” was at a UFC press conference in 2016.

    Fans React As Jeremy Stephens Forces Corner Stoppage Of Eddie Alvarez, Faces Off With Conor McGregor

    https://twitter.com/MeterPeterD/status/1883385060864499999
    https://twitter.com/ProchazkaSzn/status/1883385722935337227

    Stephens now improves to 3-0 in the BKFC ring, having previously finished Jimmie Rivera and scored a decision over Bobby Taylor at BKFC 56 and BKFC 65, respectively.

    Alvarez, meanwhile, now falls to 1-2 in the promotion, having defeated Chad Mendes at BKFC 41 but lost to Mike Perry for the King of Violence Championship at BKFC 56.

  • Conor McGregor Claims BKFC KnuckleMania Set To Break UFC’s 14-Year Wells Fargo Center Gate Record

    Conor McGregor Claims BKFC KnuckleMania Set To Break UFC’s 14-Year Wells Fargo Center Gate Record

    The Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), part-owned by Conor McGregor, looks set to host its biggest event to date in a few weeks’ time, and perhaps the biggest to grace Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center.

    Bare-knuckle fighting continues to gain further prominence, largely down to the growth of the BKFC. The organization hosts KnuckleMania as its flagship event each year, with the fifth edition set to go down from “The City of Brotherly Love” on Jan. 25.

    In the main event, former UFC fighters Eddie Alvarez and Jeremy Stephens will do battle. There will also be championship gold on the line beforehand, with veteran MMA heavyweight Ben Rothwell throwing down with Mick Terrill.

    Keeping a close eye on proceedings will be McGregor, a former two-division UFC champion whose part-ownership of BKFC was announced by president David Feldman at KnuckleMania 4 last year.

    “The Notorious” has been doing plenty of promotional work for the organization since, and the latest saw him react on social media to the release of additional tickets for this month’s major card.

    And during it, the Irishman made a strong claim about ticket sales for KnuckleMania 5, hinting that BKFC is in line to break the Wells Fargo Center arena record, which the UFC has held since 2011.

    “Biggest gate in the arena’s history? Oh yes! See you all there!” McGregor wrote. “BARE KNUCKLE ACTION LIVE FROM WELLS FARGO CENTER, PHILADELPHIA! #PhiladelphiaInaugralBKFCShow“

    The arena record was captured at UFC 133, where Rashad Evans and Tito Ortiz collided in the main event. The card also featured the likes of Vitor Belfort, Rory MacDonald, Alexander Gustafsson and Chad Mendes.

    That event generated a gate of $1.5 million, a figure the BKFC looks poised to surpass if McGregor’s words are to be believed.

  • Conor McGregor Backs Mike Perry’s Challenge To Former UFC Champion For BKFC Return

    Conor McGregor Backs Mike Perry’s Challenge To Former UFC Champion For BKFC Return

    Mike Perry is seeking a high-profile retired fighter to face off against in his BKFC return in 2025, and Conor McGregor likes one of his options.

    At the BKFC Hollywood event in Florida this past weekend, Perry took the spotlight during an in-ring interview and was asked about his future plans. The 33-year-old quickly called out former UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler, who was present in the crowd, as the opponent he’s eager to face next.

    “Who should face me next? I see Robbie Lawler in the crowd and I think he should take the gloves off, and he should step inside the square circle against ‘Platinum’ Mike Perry.”

    “Platinum” hasn’t stepped into the squared circle since his stunning knockout win over former UFC fighter Thiago Alves at BKFC Knucklemania IV in April. He further emphasized that Lawler is the ideal opponent to add to his flawless bare-knuckle record.

    “Listen, man, I’m the best to ever be up in this ring [with] no gloves. There’s nobody [that’s] ever done it like me, and I’m waiting for my chance to shine again. The world tried to take things from me. I’m ready for my next opportunity and it doesn’t seem like anybody [wants] to step up to the line. So what I thought is Robbie Lawler might just be tough enough to do it.”

    BKFC part-owner Conor McGregor, who had previously claimed to have fired Perry from the promotion, recently took to X to give an enthusiastic endorsement for the potential Perry vs. Lawler showdown.

    “What a show,” McGregor tweeted. “Perry vs. Lawler? Gimme.”

    https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousMMA/status/1870664376329416732

    https://x.comff/TheNotoriousMMA/status/1870664376329416732

    “Platinum” was last seen in action in July, when he stepped in on short notice to face Jake Paul in a boxing match after an ulcer flare-up delayed Mike Tyson’s fight with Paul until November. Unfortunately for Perry, he was knocked out in the sixth round of the bout.

    Perry remains undefeated in BKFC with a perfect 5-0 record, boasting impressive knockout victories over former UFC champions Eddie Alvarez and Luke Rockhold.

    Meanwhile, Lawler called time on his fighting career after a decisive 38-second knockout victory over Niko Price at UFC 290 in July 2023. While “Ruthless” once commanded fear in the Octagon, his final stretch saw him struggle, posting a 3-6 record in his last nine appearances.

  • Global Fight League Signee Alexander Gustafsson Also Eyeing BKFC Debut After UFC Release

    Global Fight League Signee Alexander Gustafsson Also Eyeing BKFC Debut After UFC Release

    Alexander Gustafsson, widely regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists to never capture a UFC title, is officially parting ways with the promotion after 15 years and 18 fights.

    The Swedish star’s most iconic moment came at UFC 165 in September 2013, where he pushed Jon Jones to the limit in a fight many consider one of the greatest in UFC history. Although Gustafsson lost by decision, some fans and analysts believed he had done enough to win. He later challenged for the light heavyweight championship on two more occasions, falling short against Daniel Cormier and in a rematch with Jones.

    In recent years, “The Mauler” has struggled to find his footing, losing his last four fights. These include a knockout loss to Jones in their rematch, submission defeats to Anthony Smith and Fabricio Werdum, and a KO loss to Nikita Krylov in July 2022, which marked his most recent bout.

    In a recent interview with Matias Andres of Maximum Sports, Gustafsson’s manager, Majdi Shammas, revealed that the veteran fighter had requested and been granted his release from the UFC.

    “We asked the UFC to release Alex from his contract,” Shammas said. “They agreed, and we’re grateful for that.”

    Gustafsson has since signed a lucrative deal with the Global Fight League (GFL), although the terms allow him to pick and choose his fights rather than locking him into an exclusive contract.

    “There are a lot of interesting things that could come up along the way,” Shammas explained. “The GFL has given us a very appealing deal at this stage of our careers, and it’s simply the right time and the right place to strike a deal like this.”

    In addition to his GFL deal, Gustafsson has reportedly received an offer from the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC). He is expected to debut against a well-known former UFC or Bellator fighter, potentially adding an exciting new chapter to his storied career.

  • BKFC KnuckleMania 5 To Feature Eddie Alvarez vs. Jeremy Stephens

    BKFC KnuckleMania 5 To Feature Eddie Alvarez vs. Jeremy Stephens

    BKFC is headed to Philadelphia this January for its first event in the historic “Quaker City.”

    On Tuesday, BKFC announced that the fifth installment of KnuckleMania will showcase a showdown between UFC veterans Eddie Alvarez and Jeremy Stephens. The highly anticipated bout is scheduled for Jan. 25 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

    “The Underground King” made a strong entrance into the world of bare-knuckle fighting with a victory over fellow UFC veteran Chad Mendes at BKFC 41 in April 2023. However, his momentum faltered in his second outing, suffering a TKO loss to BKFC’s marquee star Mike Perry in December.

    Now, Alvarez is gearing up for a homecoming, aiming to deliver a memorable performance in front of his hometown crowd in Philadelphia. This marks his first fight in the city in over 14 years, with his last appearance dating back to October 2010 when he secured a TKO win against Roger Huerta at Bellator 33.

    Meanwhile, Stephens remains unbeaten in his bare-knuckle career, having made a stunning debut with a third-round TKO victory over Jimmie Rivera at BKFC 56. “Lil Heathen” is riding high off a dominant unanimous decision win over Bobby Taylor at BKFC 65 this past September.

    The bare-knuckle promotion is making its long-awaited debut in Pennsylvania, following the state’s athletic commission granting official sanctioning for gloveless boxing in 2023.

  • Mike Perry Arrested For DUI & Citation Refusal In Florida

    Mike Perry Arrested For DUI & Citation Refusal In Florida

    Mike Perry got himself into trouble when he was arrested in Clermont, Florida, on October 12 for multiple offenses.

    According to a recent report by MMA Fighting, information from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that “Platinum” was apprehended and processed by Clermont Police officers early Saturday morning at 1:04 AM EST. He is currently facing charges of driving under the influence (DUI) and refusing to sign a citation that mandates a court appearance, both classified as second-degree misdemeanors in the county. 

    As per the report, Perry declined to undergo a roadside sobriety test after being stopped for exceeding the speed limit by about 20 miles per hour. The officer reportedly detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle, but the BKFC star repeatedly denied any consumption.

    The 33-year-old Michigan native stood firm in his decision despite being warned multiple times that his refusal to comply would result in his arrest, which eventually led to him being handcuffed and taken to the Clermont Police Department for a breath test.

    However, “Platinum” was subsequently released on a $1,500 bond later that day and was assigned to appear before the Florida court on October 30. If proven guilty, Perry could potentially face a maximum of two months in jail and fines reaching up to $500.

    The former UFC welterweight fighter is rebounding from a sixth-round knockout defeat to Jake Paul this past July. Aside from that setback, Perry is thriving in his bare-knuckle fighting career under the BKFC banner. He is currently riding a five-fight unbeaten streak and boasts victories over notable former UFC champions Eddie Alvarez and Luke Rockhold.

    • Read More: Jake Paul Reveals Verbal Agreement With Mike Perry To Rematch In PFL, Dirty Boxing Down The Line
  • Conor McGregor Hints At Major BKFC Event For Riyadh Season

    Conor McGregor Hints At Major BKFC Event For Riyadh Season

    Conor McGregor recently revealed that he is working closely with Turki Alalshikh to organize a massive bare-knuckle fighting event associated with Riyadh Season.

    “The Notorious” took on a part-ownership role in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) this past April, and since then, the gloveless combat sports promotion has soared to new heights. With McGregor frequently making larger-than-life appearances at events, the organization has captured the attention of fans worldwide.

    McGregor is diving headfirst into his new role as a promoter, making a splash last weekend in Marbella, Spain, where BKFC held a tripleheader championship event. The fight card was a success, but it seems the Irishman has something even bigger brewing for the near future.

    McGregor Teases ‘GOATs Of The Game’ Joining BKFC

    During a recent interview with The Schmo, McGregor opened up about the future of BKFC, revealing that he’s collaborating with Alalshikh to shine a spotlight on the promotion.

    “The Notorious” hinted at plans for a monumental bare-knuckle fighting event, with several famed combat sports fighters set to make their BKFC debut on the Riyadh Season card.

    “Stay tuned for what’s next, baby; we’re coming with some big Riyadh Season,” McGregor said. “Myself and Sheikh Turki have some mega announcements coming, and boy, oh boy, we have stacked the card of superstars for you all in Riyadh Season, and it’s going to happen really, really soon, my man.”

    Although McGregor held back from dropping any names, he promised that the matchups he’s crafting will lead to an epic showdown.

    “GOATs of the game are making that bare-knuckle debut, so this is going to blow the socks off people… Some of these matches I have made are going to blow your f**king mind.”

    Chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, Alalshikh, has emerged as a significant catalyst for orchestrating some of the most notable boxing matches in recent years. Now, he has made his foray into the realm of MMA, having played a crucial role in the UFC’s inaugural event in Saudi Arabia and also sponsoring UFC 306, with Riyadh Season taking on that role.

  • VIDEO: Oscar Willis Stops Ben ‘The Bane’ Davis In Battle Of MMA Media Members At BKFC Spain

    VIDEO: Oscar Willis Stops Ben ‘The Bane’ Davis In Battle Of MMA Media Members At BKFC Spain

    Perhaps just as anticipated as the title fights at the top of the BKFC card in Marbella, Spain was the battle of MMA media members, as Oscar Willis took on Ben Davis in a lightweight bout on the main card.

    Willis ultimately took home the W via TKO after dropping “The Bane” four times in the opening round.

    Willis Drops Davis Four Times En Route To First-Round Win In BKFC MMA Media Battle

    Willis landed hard early, bringing pressure from the get-go. After two clinches, the Brit was able to get Davis near a corner and scored a knockdown. “The Bane” got up, but Willis quickly got him back to the mat.

    Another right hand brought Davis down for the third time in the round. In the closing seconds of the first frame, the American was knocked down a fourth time. Although he beat the 10 count, the referee had seen enough to wave the fight off.

    Willis, a content manager for The Mac Life — the news outlet of former two-division UFC champion and BKFC part-owner Conor McGregor — had a lone amateur MMA fight in 2022 before taking this bout.

    Davis, a commentator for Anthony Pettis’ APFC promotion, lost a grappling bout with Brad Boulton and was knocked out by Gabriel Silva in a boxing match in 2023. Earlier this year, he scored a decision win over Zuriel Rudi Ayo in Karate Combat.

  • BKFC President Teases Riyadh Season Collaboration: ‘Conor Had A Great Meeting…’

    BKFC President Teases Riyadh Season Collaboration: ‘Conor Had A Great Meeting…’

    BKFC continues to be on the up, no doubt thanks to Conor McGregor, who became a part owner of the promotion earlier this year in April.

    The UFC superstar certainly brings a lot of eyes and attention to whatever he’s doing, which in turn gives the promotion a lot more bargaining power than they once had.

    With “The Notorious” now attached, they can look to expand into areas that wouldn’t have been possible without the profile that the Irishman brings to the table.

    In his latest public appearance that got fans talking online, McGregor was in attendance at Wembley Stadium this past weekend for the Riyadh Season-backed Joshua vs Dubois event.

    It appears that “The Mac” had some business to attend to after enjoying himself in London.

    David Feldman Says Conor McGregor Has Already Held Meetings About BKFC-Riyadh Season Collaboration

    In a recent interview on the Energized Show, BKFC founder David Feldman spoke about the promotion’s upcoming plans for the near future.

    Turki Alalshikh and the Saudi Arabian General Entertainment Authority have been able to make a huge impact on boxing by making events bigger and better than ever before.

    If BKFC was able to get in on the act in any way, it could be huge for the growth of the promotion and the sport of bare-knuckle boxing as a whole.

    When asked about whether a collaboration with Riyadh Season would be possible at some point down the line, Feldman said that there may be an update on that not too far away.

    Feldman said that McGregor has already been in talks to try and make this happen.

    “Yeah, news coming. Conor had a great meeting with them yesterday. Fantastic news coming.”

    Read also: ‘Selfish’ UFC Told To Financially Compensate Michael Chandler For Conor McGregor Wait

  • Nate Maness Signs With New Promotion Following Public Complaints Over Shock UFC Exit

    After his well-supported push for a UFC re-signing fell on deaf ears, Nate Maness has his next career step confirmed.

    Maness competed seven times inside the Octagon after signing in 2020, going 5-2 and recording three finishes in the process. His only defeats came at the hands of the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov at 135 pounds and ranked flyweight Tagir Ulanbekov.

    Following those back-to-back losses, “Mayhem” bounced back with a first-round knockout of Mateus Mendonça last October and a decision win over Jimmy Flick this past June. But while those results built momentum for the 33-year-old, his contract was not renewed.

    That decision drew plenty of backlash across the mixed martial arts community, especially when Maness revealed he was told by UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard that he was not exciting enough to remain on the 125-pound roster.

    Maness Becomes Latest Ex-UFC Fighter To Join BKFC

    Despite his bemusement and disappointment regarding his forced departure from the UFC being widely shared by fans and analysts, Maness will need to continue his career in combat sports elsewhere.

    And more than just exiting MMA’s leading promotion, “Mayhem’s” next step sees him depart the sport as a whole for the time being.

    This week, it was confirmed that Maness is BKFC bound, having signed a multi-fight deal with the top bare-knuckle boxing organization, which is part-owned by UFC star Conor McGregor and boasts the likes of Mike Perry under its banner.

    “News is out. We’re @bareknucklefc bound,” Maness wrote on X.

    It remains to be seen when Maness will make his debut in the BKFC ring. But when he does, the 33-year-old will look to prove that the UFC made the wrong decision by not offering him a new deal.

  • Mike Perry Responds To Conor McGregor Proclaiming He’s ‘Fired’ From BKFC After Jake Paul Loss

    Mike Perry Responds To Conor McGregor Proclaiming He’s ‘Fired’ From BKFC After Jake Paul Loss

    Conor McGregor may be among those who took Perry’s knockout loss to Jake Paul the roughest, publicly trashing both men before and claiming that “Platinum” will be released by the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.

    McGregor, who became a part-owner of BKFC a couple of months ago, fired off the posts on X (formerly Twitter) moments following Perry being stopped by Paul in their headlining boxing match at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, on Saturday night.

    https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousMMA/status/1814892629122798046

    Perry was dropped twice in the opening two rounds, and while he tried to walk through Paul’s punches and walk the ex-Disney star down, Paul’s power and technical skills were just too much.

    After getting dropped in the sixth round, Perry made it back to his feet but stumbled, forcing the referee to wave off the fight.

    Perry Hits Back AT BKFC Part-Owner McGregor: ‘He Can’t Fire Me!’

    Perry was asked about McGregor’s actions during his post-fight press conference. He claimed the Irishman has no power to release him. Perry even offered to settle the differences in the BKFC ring.

    “Me and him are both co-owners of BKFC,” Perry said. “So he can’t fire me. We can fight in Bare Knuckle. Look at me, I lost to Jake Paul. Why don’t you go fight Jake Paul in boxing with gloves on? I think it would be worse than Conor McGregor vs. [Floyd] Mayweather.”

    McGregor’s post made reference to Perry announcing the formation of Dirty Boxing Championship, a promotion that will mix in boxing and ground-and-pound mechanics.

    Perry is BKFC’s “King of Violence” and has amassed a 5-0 record in the organization since coming over from the UFC in 2021.

    McGregor’s return to the UFC is still to be determined, meanwhile, after a planned comeback against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 was scrapped. The current rumor is the bout will be rebooked for UFC 310 in December.