Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
Bare-knuckle boxing promoter
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) is an American bare-knuckle boxing promotion based in Philadelphia. The promotion was founded in April 2018, and is presided over by David Feldman.
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Bare-knuckle boxing promotion |
| Founded | 2018 |
| Founder | David Feldman |
| Headquarters | , |
Key people | David Feldman Conor McGregor |
| Owner | Triller, Inc |
| Website | https://www.bareknuckle.tv |
BKFC is the first promotion to hold an official state-sanctioned and commissioned bare-knuckle boxing event in the United States since 1889.[1] Its first event was held in 2018, with 142 events held as of December 2025.[2][3][4]
History
BKFC's inaugural event, which took place on June 2, 2018, featured the first American-sanctioned, women's bare-knuckle fight in modern history.[5] The Bare-Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame recognized this milestone and awarded the victor of this contest, Bec Rawlings, with the National Police Gazette World Diamond Belt several days later.[6] At BKFC 3, Arnold Adams defeated Sam Shewmaker in the finals of an eight-man tournament to be crowned as the inaugural BKFC Heavyweight Champion. This event also hosted the quarterfinals of a tournament to crown a Lightweight champion.[7] In February 2019, former UFC light heavyweight title contender Anthony Johnson announced that he will be joining the company in an administrative role.[8]
On March 6, 2021, before the establishment of BKFC Thailand, BKFC organized BKFC: Bare Knuckle Kingdom in partnership with Full Metal Dojo in Thailand.[9][10][11] In October 2021, Nick Chapman established Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Thailand (BKFC Thailand), the first, officially-licensed branch of BKFC in Asia.[12] BKFC Thailand held its inaugural event on December 18, 2021, sub-titled "The Game Changer". BKFC Thailand also had matches featuring a distinct ruleset called Bare Knuckle Thai Rules were similar to Muay Thai, with the notable exception that competitors fight without gloves. Matches consist of five rounds, with each round lasting two minutes. The rules permitted the use of kicks, punches, elbows, and knees, but explicitly prohibit trips and sweeps. Fighters had to remain active in a clinch, which lasts for three seconds. In the event of a draw, a sixth extension round was fought to determine a winner.[13][14] BKFC Thailand held the first special rules Bare Knuckle Thai bout, featuring Muay Thai legends Buakaw Banchamek and Saenchai, at BKFC Thailand 5: Legends of Siam on November 4, 2023. However, as of July 2024, BKFC Thailand ceased operations, and is now defunct.
On February 24, 2022, David Feldman announced on The MMA Hour that TrillerNet had acquired a majority stake of BKFC.[15] At BKFC 26, on June 24, 2022, BKFC Lightweight Champion Luis Palomino won the Welterweight Championship to become the first double champion in BKFC history.
In September 2022, it was announced that BKFC had acquired the UK-based Bare Fist Boxing Association (BFBA), forming Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship United Kingdom (BKFC UK).[16] The United Kingdom is a significant market for modern bare-knuckle boxing, hosting prominent promotions such as Bare Knuckle Boxing (BKB™) in Coventry, Bad To The Bone (BTTB) in Stoke-on-Trent, and Ultimate Bare Knuckle Boxing (UBKB) in Warrington. Before acquiring the Bare Fist Boxing Association and officially establishing BKFC UK, Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship made its debut in the United Kingdom with BKFC 27: London, which took place on 20 August 2022. The event was headlined by MMA veterans Mike Perry and Michael Page.[17] On November 14, 2022, BKFC Thailand underwent a rebranding to BKFC Asia, though events hosted in Thailand retained the "BKFC Thailand" designation to maintain regional recognition.
In 2023, BKFC announced the launch of the BKFC Prospects Series. Fighters on the Prospects Series will compete in front of BKFC President David Feldman for a chance at a contract with BKFC; similar in format to Dana White's Contender Series, or the PFL Challenger Series in mixed martial arts. Competitors in the Prospects Series include previous participants at BKFC open tryouts, as well as athletes with backgrounds in boxing, Muay Thai, and mixed martial arts.[18][19] The first edition of the BKFC Prospects Series premiered on August 24, 2023, in Miami, with six contracts being awarded.[20]
In 2024, at the occasion of BKFC: Knucklemania IV, it was announced that Conor McGregor and his company "McGregor Sports and Entertainment" were now part owners of BKFC.[21][22][23] On June 5, 2024, BKFC announced a talent-sharing program with the Japan-based Rizin Fighting Federation, in which both companies would allow talent fight in each other's organizations in bareknuckle bouts.[24] At Super Rizin 3 on July 28, 2024, Charisa Sigal, Tai Emery, Takaki Soya, and John Dodson all fought in bareknuckle bouts on the undercard.
In July, 2025, Conor McGregor and David Feldman made a number announcements at the inaugural BKFC 2025 Champions Summit on Hollywood, Florida. The announcements included launching the BKFC’s World's Baddest Man $25 Million Tournament and acquiring majority shares in a Lethwei promotion in Asia.[25] This new branch of BKFC was named "BKFC Lethwei" and headed by former BKFC Thailand CEO, Nick Chapman.[26] In January 12, 2026, the promotion was renamed Lethwei Fighting Championship via fan voting.[27]
Rules
BKFC holds all bouts in a circular four-rope ring, referred to as the "Squared Circle". This ring incorporates elements of historical bare knuckle fighting by containing two scratch lines, three feet apart and in the middle of the ring. These scratch lines are based on the Broughton Rules, which governed bare knuckle fighting in the 19th century. It is a requirement that each fighter must start each round with their front foot on their scratch line. This is referred to as “Toe the Line”, and it is an instruction given to the fighters at the beginning of each round, followed by "Knuckle Up" which signals the beginning of the round.[28]
Broadcasting partners
BKFC pay-per-view events were initially carried worldwide on FITE TV. On July 24, 2020, it was announced that DAZN would begin streaming BKFC events in August.[29]
After the Triller acquisition, Fite announced in February 2023 that all BKFC events would be included for Fite+ subscribers.[30]
On September 13, 2024, it was announced that BKFC and DAZN formed a three-year agreement which will allow DAZN to broadcast the BKFC events starting in October.[31]
List of BKFC events
- List of BKFC events
- 2025 in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
- 2024 in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
- 2023 in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
- 2022 in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
- 2021 in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
- 2020 in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
- 2019 in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
- 2018 in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
BKFC weight classes
| Division | Upper weight limit | Gender |
|---|---|---|
| Heavyweight | Unlimited | Male |
| Cruiserweight | 205 lb (93 kg) | Male |
| Light heavyweight | 185 lb (84 kg) | Male |
| Middleweight | 175 lb (79 kg) | Male |
| Welterweight | 165 lb (75 kg) | Male |
| Lightweight | 155 lb (70 kg) | Male |
| Featherweight | 145 lb (66 kg) | Male |
| Bantamweight | 135 lb (61 kg) | Male |
| Flyweight | 125 lb (57 kg) | Male / Female |
| Strawweight | 115 lb (52 kg) | Female |
Current champions
| Division | Champion | Since | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavyweight |  Andrei Arlovski |
February 7, 2026 | 0 |
| Cruiserweight |  Alessio Sakara |
October 25, 2025 | 0 |
| Light heavyweight |  Lorenzo Hunt |
Nov 15, 2025 | 0 |
| Middleweight | |||
| David Mundell |
December 3, 2022 | 4 | |
| Welterweight | Dustin Pague |
January 17, 2026 | 0 |
| Lightweight |  Ben Bonner (interim) |
June 21, 2025 | 0 |
| Featherweight | Kai Stewart |
June 9, 2023 | 4 |
| Bantamweight | Justin Ibarrola |
December 5, 2025 | 0 |
| Flyweight | John Dodson |
August 11, 2023 | 1 |
| King of Streets |  Luis Palomino |
March 27, 2025 | 0 |
| Women's Featherweight | Jessica Borga |
April 5, 2025 | 0 |
| Women's Flyweight | Christine Ferea |
February 19, 2022 | 5 |
| Women's Strawweight | Britain Hart |
September 10, 2022 | 4 |
| Division | Champion | Since | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|
| World Heavyweight | Arnold Adams |
November 6, 2021 | 1 |
| World Light Heavyweight | Lorenzo Hunt |
October 10, 2020 | 1 |
| World Middleweight |  Barrie Jones |
April 10, 2021 | 0 |
| World Welterweight |  Elvin Brito |
January 9, 2022 | 0 |
| World Lightweight | Luis Palomino[181] |
July 24, 2020 | 4 |
| World Bantamweight | Johnny Bedford |
August 20, 2021 | 0 |
| World Women's Bantamweight | Patricia Juarez |
May 28, 2022 | 0 |
| World Women's Flyweight | Christine Ferea |
February 19, 2022 | 0 |
| Division | Champion | Since | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light Heavyweight |  Sirimongkol Singmanasak |
May 7, 2022 | 0 |
| Featherweight | Krisana Srisang |
November 4, 2023 | 0 |
| Women's Strawweight | Po Denman |
November 4, 2023 | 0 |
| Division | Champion | Since | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light Heavyweight | Conor Cooke |
December 13, 2025 | 0 |
| Cruiserweight | Karl Thompson |
February 8, 2025 | 0 |
| Welterweight | Connor Tierney |
August 10, 2024 | 0 |
| Lightweight | Jonny Graham |
September 27, 2025 | 0 |
| Featherweight | Gary Fox |
March 29, 2025 | 0 |
| Division | Champion | Since | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavyweight | Agi Faulkner |
November 2, 2024 | 0 |
| Middleweight |  Josef Hala |
October 25, 2025 | 0 |
| Welterweight | Rico Franco |
April 26, 2025 | 0 |
| Featherweight |  Nico Gaffie |
October 25, 2025 | 0 |
Men's championship history
Heavyweight Championship
- Weight limit: above 210 lbs (95.3 kg)
- The inaugural champion was determined by an 8-man tournament.[182]
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arnold Adams def. Sam Shewmaker |
BKFC 3 Biloxi, Mississippi |
October 20, 2018 | |
| 2 | Chase Sherman |
BKFC 7 Biloxi, Mississippi |
August 10, 2019 | |
| 3 | Joey Beltran |
BKFC 9 Biloxi, Mississippi |
November 16, 2019 | 1. def. Marcel Stamps at BKFC 13 on October 10, 2020 2. def. Sam Shewmaker at BKFC 18 on June 26, 2021 |
| 4 | Arnold Adams (2) |
BKFC Fight Night: New York Salamanca, New York |
November 6, 2021 | 1. def. Dillon Cleckler at BKFC 25 on May 6, 2022 |
| 5 | Alan Belcher |
BKFC 36: Adams vs. Belcher Kenner, Louisiana |
February 24, 2023 | |
| Belcher was stripped of the title in June 2023 after he accepted a boxing fight outside the organization against Chase DeMoor[183] | ||||
| 6 |  Mick Terrill def. Arnold Adams |
BKFC 56: Utah Salt Lake City, Utah |
December 2, 2023 | 1. def. Lorenzo Hunt at BKFC: Knucklemania IV on April 27, 2024 |
| 7 | Ben Rothwell def. Mick Terrill |
BKFC Knucklemania V Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
January 25, 2025 | |
| 8 | Andrei Arlovski def. Ben Rothwell |
BKFC Knucklemania VI Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
February 7, 2026 | |
Cruiserweight Championship
- Weight limit: 210 lbs (95.3 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Héctor Lombard def. Joe Riggs |
BKFC 18 Miami, Florida |
June 26, 2021 | |
| The Cruiserweight title was vacated. | ||||
| 2 | Lorenzo Hunt def. Quentin Henry |
BKFC 30: Monroe Monroe, Louisiana |
October 1, 2022 |
1. def. Chris Camozzi at BKFC 50 on September 22, 2023 |
| The Cruiserweight title was vacated. | ||||
| 3 | Chris Camozzi def. Sawyer Depee |
BKFC 67: Denver Denver, Colorado |
October 25, 2024 |
1. def. Andrea Bicchi at BKFC 73 on April 26, 2025 |
| 4 | Alessio Sakara |
BKFC 83: Italy Rome, Italy |
October 25, 2025 | |
Light Heavyweight Championship
- Weight limit: 190 lbs (86.2 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lorenzo Hunt def. Héctor Lombard |
BKFC 22 Miami, Florida |
November 12, 2021 |
1. def. Joe Riggs at BKFC 24 on April 30, 2022 |
| - | Mike Richman def. Isaac Doolittle for interim title |
BKFC 31 Broomfield, Colorado |
October 15, 2022 | |
| Josh Dyer and Jared Warren fought to a No-Contest on July 14, 2023, at BKFC 47 for the BKFC Light Heavyweight interim title. | ||||
| Lorenzo Hunt vacated his undisputed Light Heavyweight title to challenge for the Heavyweight title. | ||||
| 2 | Jared Warren def. Jomi Escoboza |
BKFC 62 Hollywood, Florida |
June 21, 2024 | |
| 3 | Mike Richman |
BKFC on DAZN 3 Hollywood, Florida |
December 21, 2024 | |
| 4 | Josh Dyer |
BKFC 74 West Valley City, Utah |
May 10, 2025 | |
| 5 | Lorenzo Hunt (2) |
BKFC 84 Thousand Palms, California |
November 15, 2025 | |
Middleweight Championship
- Weight limit: 175 lbs (79.3 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Thiago Alves def. Ulysses Diaz |
BKFC 18 Miami, Florida |
June 26, 2021 | |
| Alves was stripped of the title in June 2022 after he and the organization were not able to reach agreement on new contract.[184] | ||||
| - | Francesco Ricchi def. Ulysses Diaz for the interim title |
BKFC 26 Hollywood, Florida |
June 24, 2022 | |
| 2 | David Mundell def. Francesco Ricchi for undisputed title |
BKFC 34 Hollywood, Florida |
December 3, 2022 |
1. def. Mike Richman at BKFC 47 on July 14, 2023 |
Welterweight Championship
- Weight limit: 165 lbs (74.8 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elvin Brito def. Kaleb Harris |
BKFC Fight Night: Jackson Jackson, Mississippi |
January 29, 2022 | |
| 2 | Luis Palomino |
BKFC 26 Hollywood, Florida |
June 24, 2022 | |
| The Welterweight title was vacated. | ||||
| 3 |  Gorjan Slaveskidef. Jake Lindsey |
BKFC 49 Miami | August 25, 2023 | |
| Slaveski was stripped of the title on December 14, 2023, after he accepted a karate fight against Brandon Jenkins without the permission of BKFC.[185] | ||||
| 4 | Austin Trout def. Luis Palomino |
BKFC 57 Hollywood, California |
February 2, 2024 | 1. def. Ricardo Franco at BKFC on DAZN on October 12, 2024 2. def. Carlos Trinidad-Snake at BKFC 71 on April 4, 2025 |
| For unknown reasons, it was reported that the title was vacated from Trout in June 2025.[186] | ||||
| 5 | Julian Lane def. Gorjan Slaveski |
BKFC 79 Sturgis, South Dakota |
August 2, 2025 | |
Lightweight Championship
- Weight limit: 155 lbs (70.3 kg)
- The inaugural champion was determined by a 4-man tournament. This title was previously referred to as the BKFC Super Welterweight Championship before being renamed.
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luis Palomino def. Isaac Vallie-Flagg |
BKFC 11 Oxford, Mississippi |
July 24, 2020 |
1. def. Jim Alers at BKFC 14 on November 13, 2020 |
| In January 2024, Palomino stated the title was vacated because he felt he had no more to achieve in the division.[187] | ||||
| 2 |  Franco Tenagliadef. Tony Soto |
BKFC on DAZN Marbella, Spain |
October 12, 2024 | |
| Tenaglia was stripped of the lightweight title in June 2025 after pulling out of his schedule title defense against Tony Soto.[188] | ||||
| - | Ben Bonner def. Tony Soto for the interim title |
BKFC 76 Fort Worth, Texas |
June 21, 2025 | |
Featherweight Championship
- Weight limit: 145 lbs (65.8 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kai Stewart def. Louie Lopez |
BKFC 44 Great Falls, Montana |
June 9, 2023 |
1. def. Howard Davis at BKFC 56 on December 2, 2023 |
Bantamweight Championship
- Weight limit: 135 lbs (61.2 kg)
- The inaugural champion was determined by an 8-man tournament. This title was previously referred to as the BKFC Lightweight Championship before being renamed.
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johnny Bedford def. Reggie Barnett Jr. |
BKFC 6 Tampa, Florida |
June 22, 2019 | |
| 2 | Dat Nguyen |
BKFC: KnuckleMania Lakeland, Florida |
February 5, 2021 | |
| Nguyen was stripped of the title in June 2021 after he and the organization were not able to reach agreement on new contract.[184] | ||||
| 3 | Johnny Bedford (2) def. Reggie Barnett Jr. |
BKFC 20 Biloxi, Mississippi |
August 20, 2021 | |
| — | Jarod Grant def. Anthony Retic for interim title |
BKFC Fight Night: New York 2 Salamanca, New York |
March 12, 2022 | |
| — | Reggie Barnett Jr. def. Jarod Grant for interim title |
BKFC FN: Tampa 2 Tampa, Florida |
July 23, 2022 | 1. def. Geane Herrera at BKFC 32 on November 5, 2022 |
| Bedford retired from combat sports. | ||||
| 4 | Reggie Barnett Jr. promoted to undisputed champion |
January, 2023 | 1. def. Daniel Alvarez at BKFC 39 on March 24, 2023 | |
| 5 | Keith Richardson |
BKFC 52: South Carolina Columbia, South Carolina |
October 20, 2023 | |
| 6 |  Alberto Blas |
BKFC 62: Hollywood Hollywood, Florida |
June 21, 2024 | 1. def. Ryan Reber at BKFC 66 on September 13, 2024 |
| Blas vacated the title in June 2025 due to a lack of competition | ||||
| 7 | Justin Ibarrola def. Ryan Reber |
BKFC 85: Hollywood Hollywood, Florida |
December 5, 2025 | |
Flyweight Championship
- Weight limit: 125 lbs (57.2 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | John Dodson def. JR Ridge |
BKFC 48 Albuquerque, New Mexico |
August 11, 2023 | 1. drew with Dagoberto Aguero at BKFC 59 on March 29, 2024 |
| - | Andrew Strode def. Guillermo Perez for the interim title |
BKFC 78 Hollywood, Florida |
July 12, 2025 |
King of Streets Championship
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luis Palomino def. Howard Davis |
BKFC 70 Hollywood, Florida |
March 27, 2025 |
Women's championship history
Women's Featherweight Championship
- Weight limit: 145 lbs (65.8 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jessica Borga def. Hannah Rankin |
BKFC 72 Dubai: Day 2 Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
April 5, 2025 |
Women's Flyweight Championship
- Weight limit: 125 lbs (56.7 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christine Ferea def. Britain Hart |
BKFC KnuckleMania 2 Hollywood, Florida |
February 19, 2022 |
1. def. Taylor Starling at BKFC 28 on August 27, 2022 |
Women's Strawweight Championship
- Weight limit: 115 lbs (52.2 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Britain Hart def. Charisa Sigala |
BKFC 29 Great Falls, Montana |
September 10, 2022 |
1. def. Jenny Clausius at BKFC 39 on March 24, 2023 |
Tournament winners
| Weight Class | Champion | Runner-up | Event | Date | Tournament Bracket |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heavyweight Championship Tournament | Arnold Adams |
Sam Shewmaker |
BKFC 3: The Takeover | October 20, 2018 | Heavyweight Tournament Bracket |
| Lightweight Championship Tournament | Johnny Bedford |
Reggie Barnett Jr. |
BKFC 6: Malignaggi vs. Lobov | June 22, 2019 | Lightweight Tournament Bracket |
| Super Welterweight Championship Tournament | Luis Palomino |
Isaac Vallie-Flagg |
BKFC 11: Palomino vs. Vallie-Flagg | July 24, 2020 | Super Welterweight Tournament Bracket |
BKFC records
| Oldest champion | Andrei Arlovski | 47 years, 3 days |
| Youngest champion | Kai Stewart | 22 years, 11 months |
| Longest championship reign | Luis Palomino | 1288 days |
| Shortest championship reign | Chase Sherman | 98 days |
| Most title fight wins | Luis Palomino | 9 |
| Most wins | Lorenzo Hunt | 13 |
| Most consecutive title defenses | Luis Palomino | 6 |
| Most consecutive wins | Leonardo Perdomo | 11 |
Death of Justin Thornton
The BKFC was involved in controversy after the death of boxer Justin Thornton on August 20, 2021, at BKFC 20.[189] Justin Thornton died as a result of spinal injury suffered during his BKFC debut.[190] Thornton had been on a five-fight losing streak ahead of the fight.
The matchmaking and regulations were criticized by UFC president Dana White, who said “...is anybody shocked? I mean, in bare-knuckle fighting? I’m not a big fan. ...We’ve been putting on fights for 25 years. I’ve done over 7,000 fights with no serious injuries in the UFC. That if they weren’t in the UFC, they probably would’ve fought and they probably would’ve died. So we shouldn’t even be talked about in the same sentence as bare-knuckle boxing."[191]
