Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
The Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship is an American bare-knuckle boxing promotion based in Philadelphia. The promotion was founded in April 2018, and is presided over by David Feldman.
BKFC is the first promotion to hold an official state-sanctioned and commissioned bare-knuckle boxing event in the United States since 1889. Its first event was held in 2018, with 142 events held as of December 2025.
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. 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.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. In February 2019, former UFC light heavyweight title contender Anthony Johnson announced that he will be joining the company in an administrative role.
On March 6, 2021, before the establishment of BKFC Thailand, BKFC organized BKFC: Bare Knuckle Kingdom in partnership with Full Metal Dojo in Thailand. In October 2021, Nick Chapman established Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Thailand, the first, officially-licensed branch of BKFC in Asia. BKFC Thailand held its inaugural event on December 18, 2021, sub-titled "The Game Changer".
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. 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, forming Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship United Kingdom. The United Kingdom is a significant market for modern bare-knuckle boxing, hosting prominent promotions such as Bare Knuckle Boxing in Coventry, Bad To The Bone in Stoke-on-Trent, and Ultimate Bare Knuckle Boxing 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. 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. The first edition of the BKFC Prospects Series premiered on August 24, 2023, in Miami, with six contracts being awarded.
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. 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. 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. This new branch of BKFC was named "BKFC Lethwei" and headed by former BKFC Thailand CEO, Nick Chapman.
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.Bare Knuckle Thai
Bare Knuckle Thai was a officially licensed brand of BKFC in Thailand. However, as of July 2024, BKFC Thailand ceased operations, and is now defunct.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. 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.
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.After the Triller acquisition, Fite announced in February 2023 that all BKFC events would be included for Fite+ subscribers.
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.
List of BKFC events
| # | Event | Date | Venue | Location | Ref |
| 146 | BKFC Fight Night Mohegan Sun: Porter vs. Watson | Mohegan Sun Arena | Uncasville, Connecticut | ||
| 145 | BKFC Fight Night Newcastle: Terrill vs. McFarlane | Utilita Arena Newcastle | Newcastle, England | ||
| 144 | BKFC Knucklemania VI | Xfinity Mobile Arena | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | ||
| 143 | BKFC 86 Mohegan Sun: Lane vs. Pague | Mohegan Sun Arena | Uncasville, Connecticut | ||
| 142 | BKFC Fight Night Mohegan Sun: Porter vs. Copeland | Mohegan Sun Arena | Uncasville, Connecticut | ||
| 141 | BKFC Fight Night Derby: Cooke vs. Holmes | Vaillant Live | Derby, England | ||
| 140 | BKFC 86 Hollywood, FL: Trout vs. Palomino 2 | Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood | Hollywood, Florida | ||
| 139 | BKFC 84 Palm Desert: Dyer vs. Hunt 2 | Acrisure Arena | Thousand Palms, California | ||
| 138 | BKFC Fight Night Michigan: Rodriguez vs. Cavender | Soaring Eagle Casino | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | ||
| 137 | BKFC 83 Italy: Camozzi vs. Sakara | Palazzetto dello Sport | Rome, Italy | ||
| 136 | BKFC Fight Night Hammond: Henry vs. Stewart | Horseshoe Hammond | Hammond, Indiana | ||
| 135 | BKFC 82 Newark: Perry vs. Stephens | Prudential Center | Newark, New Jersey | ||
| 134 | BKFC 81 Manchester: DeGale vs. Floyd | AO Arena | Manchester, England | ||
| 133 | BKFC 80 Hollywood, FL: Perdomo vs. Adams 2 | Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood | Hollywood, Florida | ||
| 132 | BKFC Fight Night Montenegro: Bakočević vs. Ott | Top Hill | Budva, Montenegro | ||
| 131 | BKFC Fight Night Edmonton: Stuve vs. Manno | River Cree Resort and Casino | Enoch, Alberta, Canada | ||
| 130 | BKFC Fight Night Sturgis: Gogo vs. Lane | Buffalo Chip Campground | Sturgis, South Dakota | ||
| 129 | BKFC Fight Night Philly: Pague vs. Petersen | 2300 Arena | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | ||
| 128 | BKFC 78 Hollywood, FL: Perdomo vs. Adams | Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood | Hollywood, Florida | ||
| 127 | BKFC 77 Birmingham: Tierney vs. Christie | bp pulse LIVE | Birmingham, England | ||
| 126 | BKFC 76 Texas: Tenaglia vs. Soto | Dickies Arena | Fort Worth, Texas | ||
| 125 | BKFC Fight Night Mohegan Sun: Porter vs. Cleckler | Mohegan Sun Arena | Uncasville, Connecticut | ||
| 124 | BKFC 75 Albuquerque: Mundell vs. Sanchez | Tingley Coliseum | Albuquerque, New Mexico | ||
| 123 | BKFC 74 Salt Lake City: Richman vs. Dyer | Maverik Center | West Valley City, Utah | ||
| 122 | BKFC Fight Night Clearwater: Warren vs. Creer | OCC Road House & Museum | Clearwater, Florida | ||
| 121 | BKFC 73 Italy: Camozzi vs. Bicchi | Palazzo Wanny | Florence, Italy | ||
| 120 | BKFC Fight Night Omaha: Cochrane vs. Edwards | The Astro | Omaha, Nebraska | ||
| 119 | BKFC 72 Dubai Day 2: Stewart vs. Strydom | Dubai Tennis Stadium | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | ||
| 118 | BKFC 71 Dubai Day 1: Trout vs. Trinidad-Snake | Dubai Tennis Stadium | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | ||
| 117 | BKFC Fight Night Manchester: Chipchase vs. Fox | Planet Ice | Altrincham, England | ||
| 116 | BKFC 70 Hollywood, FL: Palomino vs. Davis | Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood | Hollywood, Florida | ||
| 115 | BKFC Fight Night Philly: Pague vs. Angelcor | 2300 Arena | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | ||
| 114 | BKFC Fight Night Albuquerque: Richardson vs. Usmanov | Kiva Auditorium | Albuquerque, New Mexico | ||
| 113 | BKFC Fight Night Newcastle: Thompson vs. Boardman | Walker Activity Dome | Newcastle, England | ||
| 112 | BKFC on DAZN Mohegan Sun: Lane vs. VanCamp | Mohegan Sun Arena | Uncasville, Connecticut | ||
| 111 | BKFC Knucklemania V | Wells Fargo Center | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | ||
| 110 | BKFC Fight Night Pechanga: Kurdanov vs. Brito | Pechanga Resort Casino | Temecula, California | ||
| 109 | BKFC on DAZN Hollywood, FL: Warren vs. Richman | Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood | Hollywood, Florida | ||
| 108 | BKFC 69 Atlanta: Richardson vs. Larrimore | Gas South Arena | Duluth, Georgia | ||
| 107 | BKFC Fight Night Los Angeles: Warr vs. Khanakov | Thunder Studios | Los Angeles, California | ||
| 106 | BKFC on DAZN Montana: Stewart vs. Rivera | First Interstate Arena | Billings, Montana | ||
| 105 | BKFC 68 Newcastle: Faulkner vs. Oscar | Utilita Arena Newcastle | Newcastle, England | ||
| 104 | BKFC Fight Night Prospects: Myrtle Beach | John T. Rhodes Myrtle Beach Sports Center | Myrtle Beach, South Carolina | ||
| 103 | BKFC 67 Denver: Camozzi vs. Depee | Denver Coliseum | Denver, Colorado | ||
| 102 | BKFC on DAZN: Tenaglia vs. Soto | Marbella Arena | Marbella, Spain | ||
| 101 | BKFC 66 Hollywood, FL: Blas vs. Reber | Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood | Hollywood, Florida | ||
| 100 | BKFC 65 Salt Lake City: Ferea vs. Masson-Wong | Maverik Center | Salt Lake City, Utah | ||
| 99 | BKFC Fight Night Prospects: Edmonton | River Cree Resort and Casino | Enoch, Alberta, Canada | ||
| 98 | BKFC Fight Night Kansas City: Lindsay vs. Brito | Memorial Hall | Kansas City, Kansas | ||
| 97 | BKFC 64 Coventry: Tierney vs. Graham | Coventry Skydome | Coventry, England | ||
| 96 | BKFC 63 Sturgis: Hart vs. Starling | Buffalo Chip Campground | Sturgis, South Dakota | ||
| 95 | BKFC Fight Night Pechanga: Peralta vs. Warr | Pechanga Resort and Casino | Temecula, California | ||
| 94 | BKFC 62 Hollywood, FL: Stewart vs. Duran | Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood | Hollywood, Florida | ||
| 93 | BKFC Fight Night Prospects: Newcastle | Walker Activity Dome | Newcastle, England | ||
| 92 | BKFC Fight Night Prospects: Denver | National Western Center | Denver, Colorado | ||
| 91 | BKFC Fight Night Puebla, Mexico: Rubio vs Rey Gallegos | Auditorio Explanada Pachuca | Puebla, Mexico | ||
| 90 | BKFC Fight Night Omaha: Trinidad-Snake vs. Pague | Liberty First Credit Union Arena | Omaha, Nebraska | ||
| 89 | BKFC 61 Connecticut: Rivera vs. Straus | Mohegan Sun Arena | Uncasville, Connecticut | ||
| 88 | BKFC: Knucklemania IV | Peacock Theater | Los Angeles, California | ||
| 87 | BKFC Fight Night Clearwater: Richman vs. Lozano | Bert's Barracuda Harley-Davidson | Clearwater, Florida | ||
| 86 | BKFC 60 Milton Keynes: Lilley vs. Tenaglia | Planet Ice Arena Milton Keynes | Milton Keynes, England | ||
| 85 | BKFC 59 Albuquerque: Dodson vs. Aguero | Tingley Coliseum | Albuquerque, New Mexico | ||
| 84 | BKFC 58 Bulgaria: Markulev vs. Kolev | Arena Sofia | Sofia, Bulgaria | ||
| 83 | BKFC Fight Night Miami: Davis vs. Wilson | Dolphin Mall | Miami, Florida | ||
| 82 | BKFC Fight Night Prospects: Canada | River Cree Resort and Casino | Enoch, Alberta, Canada | ||
| 81 | BKFC Fight Night Prospects: Manassas | The Salisbury Center | Manassas, Virginia | ||
| 80 | BKFC 57: Palomino vs. Trout | Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood | Hollywood, Florida | ||
| 79 | BKFC Fight Night Prospects: Albuquerque | Revel Arena | Albuquerque, New Mexico | ||
| 78 | BKFC 56: Utah | Maverik Center | West Valley City, Utah | ||
| 77 | BKFC 55: Leeds | Planet Ice Leeds | Leeds, England | ||
| 76 | BKFC 54: Bulgaria | Arena Sofia | Sofia, Bulgaria | ||
| 75 | BKFC Thailand 5: Legends of Siam | Royal Cliff Beach Hotel Pattaya | Pattaya, Thailand | ||
| 74 | BKFC 53: Orlando | Orange County Convention Center | Orlando, Florida | ||
| 73 | BKFC 52: South Carolina | Colonial Life Arena | Columbia, South Carolina | ||
| 72 | BKFC Prospects Series 2 | Liverpool Olympia | Liverpool, England | ||
| 71 | BKFC 51: Salem | Salem Civic Center | Salem, Virginia | ||
| 70 | BKFC 50: Denver | 1stBank Center | Broomfield, Colorado | ||
| 69 | BKFC 49: Miami | Miami-Dade County Fairgrounds | Miami, Florida | ||
| 68 | BKFC Prospects Series 1 | Miami-Dade County Fairgrounds | Miami, Florida | ||
| 67 | BKFC 48: Albuquerque | Tingley Coliseum | Albuquerque, New Mexico | ||
| 66 | BKFC 47: Lakeland | RP Funding Center | Lakeland, Florida | ||
| 65 | BKFC 46: Newcastle | Walker Activity Dome | Newcastle, England | ||
| 64 | BKFC 45: Hollywood | Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood | Hollywood, Florida | ||
| 63 | BKFC 44: Montana | Four Seasons Arena | Great Falls, Montana | ||
| 62 | BKFC 43: Omaha | Liberty First Credit Union Arena | Omaha, Nebraska | ||
| 61 | BKFC 42: Greenville | Bon Secours Wellness Arena | Greenville, South Carolina | ||
| 60 | BKFC 41: Colorado | 1stBank Center | Broomfield, Colorado | ||
| 59 | BKFC 40: Holmes vs. Christie | Planet Ice Leeds | Leeds, England | ||
| 58 | BKFC 38: Delray Beach | Delray Beach Tennis Center | Delray Beach, Florida | ||
| 57 | BKFC 39: Barnett vs. Alvarez | Norfolk Scope | Norfolk, Virginia | ||
| 56 | BKFC 37: Tierney vs. Lindsey | Crystal Palace National Sports Centre | London, England | ||
| 55 | BKFC 36: Adams vs. Belcher | Pontchartrain Center | Kenner, Louisiana | ||
| 54 | BKFC: KnuckleMania 3 | Tingley Coliseum | Albuquerque, New Mexico | ||
| 53 | BKFC 35: Cedeno vs. Slaveski | John T. Rhodes Sports Center | Myrtle Beach, South Carolina | ||
| 52 | BKFC Asia 4: The Big Bash | SpacePlus Bangkok RCA | Bangkok, Thailand | ||
| 51 | BKFC 34: Hollywood | Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood | Hollywood, Florida | ||
| 50 | BKFC Fight Night: Newcastle | Walker Activity Dome | Newcastle, England | ||
| 49 | BKFC 33: Omaha | Liberty First Credit Union Arena | Omaha, Nebraska | ||
| 48 | BKFC 32: Orlando | Caribe Royale | Orlando, Florida | ||
| 47 | BKFC 31: Denver | 1stBank Center | Broomfield, Colorado | ||
| 46 | BKFC 30: Monroe | Fant-Ewing Coliseum | Monroe, Louisiana | ||
| 45 | BKFC 29: Montana | Pacific Steel & Recycling Arena | Great Falls, Montana | ||
| 44 | BKFC Thailand 3: Moment of Truth | CentralWorld | Bangkok, Thailand | ||
| 43 | BKFC 28: Albuquerque | Rio Rancho Events Center | Albuquerque, New Mexico | ||
| 42 | BKFC 27: London | Wembley Arena | London, England | ||
| 41 | BKFC Fight Night: Tampa 2 | Florida State Fairgrounds | Tampa, Florida | ||
| 40 | BKFC 26: Hollywood | Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood | Hollywood, Florida | ||
| 39 | BKFC Fight Night: Jackson 2 | Jackson Convention Complex | Jackson, Mississippi | ||
| 38 | BKFC Fight Night: Omaha | Liberty First Credit Union Arena | Omaha, Nebraska | ||
| 37 | BKFC Thailand 2: Iconic Impact | Royal Cliff Beach Hotel Pattaya | Pattaya, Thailand | ||
| 36 | BKFC 25: Adams vs. Cleckler | Caribe Royale Orlando | Orlando, Florida | ||
| 35 | BKFC 24: Hunt vs. Riggs | Montana ExpoPark | Great Falls, Montana | ||
| 34 | BKFC Fight Night: Ft. Lauderdale | Charles F. Dodge City Center | Pembroke Pines, Florida | ||
| 33 | BKFC 23: Richman vs. Rickels | Intrust Bank Arena | Wichita, Kansas | ||
| 32 | BKFC Fight Night: New York 2 | Seneca Allegany Casino | Salamanca, New York | ||
| 31 | BKFC: KnuckleMania 2 | Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood | Hollywood, Florida | ||
| 30 | BKFC Fight Night: Jackson | Jackson Convention Complex | Jackson, Mississippi | ||
| 29 | BKFC Thailand 1: The Game Changer | Royal Cliff Beach Hotel Pattaya | Pattaya, Thailand | ||
| 28 | BKFC Fight Night: Tampa | Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa | Tampa, Florida | ||
| 27 | BKFC 22: Lombard vs. Hunt | James L. Knight Center | Miami, Florida | ||
| 26 | BKFC Fight Night: New York | Seneca Allegany Casino | Salamanca, New York | ||
| 25 | BKFC Fight Night: Wichita | Hartman Arena | Park City, Kansas | ||
| 24 | BKFC Fight Night: Montana | First Interstate Arena | Billings, Montana | ||
| 23 | BKFC 21: Cochrane vs. Richman | Ralston Arena | Omaha, Nebraska | ||
| 22 | BKFC 20: Bedford vs. Barnett 2 | Mississippi Coast Coliseum | Biloxi, Mississippi | ||
| 21 | BKFC 19: VanZant vs. Ostovich | Florida State Fairgrounds | Tampa, Florida | ||
| 20 | BKFC 18: Beltran vs. Shewmaker | Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood | Hollywood, Florida | ||
| 19 | BKFC 17: Tate vs. Burns | Boutwell Memorial Auditorium | Birmingham, Alabama | ||
| 18 | BKFC 16: Garcia vs. Elmore | Biloxi Civic Center | Biloxi, Mississippi | ||
| 17 | BKFC: Bare Knuckle Kingdom | The Sea Galleri | Phuket, Thailand | ||
| 16 | BKFC: Knucklemania | RP Funding Center | Lakeland, Florida | ||
| 15 | BKFC 15: Shewmaker vs. O'Bannon | Mississippi Coast Coliseum | Biloxi, Mississippi | ||
| 14 | BKFC 14: Palomino vs. Alers | InterContinental Miami | Miami, Florida | ||
| 13 | BKFC 13: Beltran vs. Stamps | Tony's Pizza Events Center | Salina, Kansas | ||
| 12 | BKFC 12: Alves vs. Lane | September 11, 2020 | Ocean Center | Daytona Beach, Florida | |
| 11 | BKFC 11: Palomino vs. Vallie-Flagg | July 24, 2020 | Lafayette County Multipurpose Arena | Oxford, Mississippi | |
| 10 | BKFC 10: Lombard vs. Mundell | February 15, 2020 | Broward County Convention Center | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | |
| 9 | BKFC 9: Lobov vs. Knight 2 | November 16, 2019 | Mississippi Coast Coliseum | Biloxi, Mississippi | |
| 8 | BKFC 8: Silva vs. Gonzaga | Florida State Fairgrounds | Tampa, Florida | ||
| 7 | BKFC 7: Alers vs. Garcia | Mississippi Coast Coliseum | Biloxi, Mississippi | ||
| 6 | BKFC 6: Malignaggi vs. Lobov | Florida State Fairgrounds | Tampa, Florida | ||
| 5 | BKFC 5: Lobov vs Knight | Mississippi Coast Coliseum | Biloxi, Mississippi | ||
| 4 | BKFC 4: USA vs Mexico | Beto Ávila Stadium | Cancun, Mexico | ||
| 3 | BKFC 3: The Takeover | Mississippi Coast Coliseum | Biloxi, Mississippi | ||
| 2 | BKFC 2: A New Era | Mississippi Coast Coliseum | Biloxi, Mississippi | ||
| 1 | BKFC 1: The Beginning | Cheyenne Ice and Events Center | Cheyenne, Wyoming |
;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