BKFC vs BKB: Comparing the Two Biggest Bare Knuckle Promotions
Bare knuckle boxing has undergone a remarkable resurgence over the past decade, evolving from underground spectacle to legitimate combat sport with sanctioned events, broadcast deals, and growing mainstream recognition. At the center of this revival sit two promotions that have done more than any others to bring fists-without-gloves fighting into the modern era: Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) and BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing.
While both organizations share the mission of elevating bare knuckle combat, they differ substantially in origin, ownership structure, ring format, rules, and strategic vision. This article breaks down every meaningful distinction between the two so you can understand where each promotion stands and where each is headed.
Origins and History
BKFC
BKFC was founded in April 2018 by Philadelphia-based promoter David Feldman, who had spent decades in boxing promotion before turning his attention to bare knuckle. The promotion held its first sanctioned event in Cheyenne, Wyoming, on June 2, 2018, making it the first legal, sanctioned, and regulated bare knuckle event in the United States since 1889. That historical anchor -- connecting modern bare knuckle to the era of John L. Sullivan -- has been central to BKFC's brand identity.
By the end of 2025, BKFC had staged over 142 events across the United States and internationally, including shows in the UK, Thailand, Dubai, and Italy. The promotion's growth trajectory has been explosive, moving from regional curiosity to global combat sports brand in under seven years.
BKB
BKB's history is more layered. The original BKB (Bare Knuckle Boxing) was founded in 2015 in the United Kingdom by Jim Freeman and Joe Smith-Brown, who built the brand around distinctly British bare knuckle traditions. BKB hosted 40 events before a pivotal shift occurred.
Separately, BYB Extreme Fighting Series was founded in 2015 in the United States by former MMA fighter Dhafir "Dada 5000" Harris and Mike Vazquez. BYB gained attention through its unique triangular fighting surface and viral online content. On May 8, 2024, BYB Extreme acquired BKB, merging the two organizations. By February 2025, the combined entity rebranded under the BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing banner, with Freeman and Smith-Brown staying on in executive roles to oversee European expansion.
Ownership and Investment
| Factor | BKFC | BKB |
|---|---|---|
| Founder | David Feldman (2018) | Dada 5000 & Mike Vazquez / Jim Freeman & Joe Smith-Brown (2015) |
| Current Structure | Private, multi-investor | Private, merged entity (BYB + original BKB) |
| Notable Investors | Conor McGregor (2024), Maxx Crosby (2025), formerly TrillerNet majority stake (2022) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Celebrity Involvement | High -- McGregor is part-owner and active brand ambassador | Lower profile ownership group |
| Valuation Trajectory | Significant -- exploring public listing discussions | Growing through mergers and broadcast deals |
BKFC's ownership story is one of its most compelling narratives. In 2022, TrillerNet acquired a majority stake, though Feldman retained operational control. Then in 2024, Conor McGregor and his McGregor Sports and Entertainment company joined the ownership group, providing a massive injection of star power and mainstream credibility. In January 2025, Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby also joined the ownership group. McGregor's involvement has been far from passive -- he co-announced BKFC's $25 million "World's Baddest Man" tournament at the 2025 Champions Summit, a 32-fighter heavyweight bracket set to begin in March 2026.
BKB's ownership structure is less celebrity-driven but strategically sound. The merger of BYB and original BKB doubled their combined roster and fight library, creating a unified brand with operations on both sides of the Atlantic. BKB also acquired Bad To The Bone (BTTB), a UK promotion based in Stoke-on-Trent, further consolidating the British bare knuckle market.
Ring Format: Squared Circle vs. The Trigon
This is perhaps the most visually striking difference between the two promotions.
BKFC uses a traditional circular four-rope ring, which the promotion calls the "Squared Circle." It looks and functions much like a standard boxing ring, offering familiar dimensions for fighters and fans transitioning from gloved boxing. The open space allows for movement, lateral footwork, and the kind of ring generalship that boxing purists appreciate.
BKB fights take place in the patented Trigon -- a triangular fighting surface that is the smallest combat arena in professional fighting. The Trigon eliminates running and excessive clinching by compressing the fighting space into a triangle, forcing constant engagement. The result is a 90 percent stoppage rate, one of the highest in combat sports. There is simply nowhere to hide.
| Ring Feature | BKFC | BKB |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Circular (traditional ring) | Triangular (Trigon) |
| Size | Standard boxing ring dimensions | Smallest in combat sports |
| Fighting Style | Rewards movement and ring IQ | Forces constant engagement |
| Stoppage Rate | Competitive but lower | ~90% |
| Clinch Work | Allowed within rules | Punching in the clinch prohibited |
The Trigon is BKB's signature innovation and a genuine differentiator. Whether you love it or find it gimmicky depends on your preferences -- but there is no denying that it produces relentless action.
Rules Comparison
Both promotions operate under sanctioned bare knuckle boxing rules, but there are notable differences in structure and specifics.
| Rule | BKFC | BKB |
|---|---|---|
| Hand Wraps | Wrist wraps only (knuckles exposed) | Padded wraps permitted (knuckles still exposed) |
| Round Length | 2-minute rounds | 3-minute rounds |
| Number of Rounds | Typically 5 rounds (title fights can go longer) | 3 to 7 rounds depending on bout significance |
| Knockdown Count | 10-second count | 18-second count |
| Three-Knockdown Rule | Varies by jurisdiction | No three-knockdown rule unless commission-approved |
| Standing Eight Count | Varies by jurisdiction | No standing eight count |
| Required Gear | Mouthpiece, groin protector, shorts | Mouthpiece, groin protector, trunks, boxing/wrestling shoes |
| Clinch Rules | Limited clinch work allowed | Punching in the clinch prohibited |
BKB's 18-second knockdown count is notably longer than the traditional 10-count, giving fighters more time to recover from knockdowns. This is a deliberate design choice -- the Trigon's compressed space generates devastating power shots, and the longer count allows fighters a fair chance to continue.
BKFC's 2-minute rounds keep the pace high and reward explosive fighters, while BKB's 3-minute rounds allow for more tactical development within each frame.
Broadcast Deals and Media Presence
Both promotions have made significant strides in securing mainstream broadcast partnerships.
BKFC
BKFC's broadcast history reflects its upward trajectory. The promotion has been available on various platforms including TrillerTV (formerly FITE TV) for pay-per-view events. In September 2024, BKFC announced a landmark three-year partnership with DAZN, the global sports streaming platform. The deal provides up to 24 additional live events annually on DAZN, positioning BKFC alongside boxing and MMA content on one of combat sports' biggest platforms.
BKB
BKB's broadcast strategy has been equally aggressive. In February 2025, the promotion signed a multi-year deal with Vice TV, making BKB the network's first-ever live sports programming as Vice pivoted to a sports-first content model. Vice will broadcast 13 live events in prime time in the first year, most airing on Saturday nights. In August 2025, NBCUniversal announced that BKB would be carried live in Spanish on Telemundo Deportes Ahora, opening the massive Hispanic market. BKB also secured a deal with talkSPORT as its exclusive home in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
| Broadcast | BKFC | BKB |
|---|---|---|
| Primary US Platform | DAZN (3-year deal, 2024) | Vice TV (multi-year, 2025) |
| International | DAZN global, events in UK/Dubai/Italy/Thailand | Telemundo Deportes (Spanish-language US), talkSPORT (UK/Ireland) |
| PPV | TrillerTV for major events | Available through BKB website |
| Social Media | Massive -- leverages McGregor's following | Growing through Vice TV exposure |
Fighter Roster and Star Power
BKFC
BKFC has built its roster through a combination of homegrown bare knuckle talent and high-profile crossover fighters from MMA and boxing. Notable names include:
- Mike Perry -- Former UFC welterweight turned BKFC superstar; arguably the face of the promotion
- Jeremy Stephens -- Former UFC featherweight contender
- Eddie Alvarez -- Former UFC and Bellator lightweight champion
- Christine Ferea -- Dominant women's champion
- Luis Palomino -- Fan-favorite brawler and BKFC veteran
The promotion's ability to attract UFC-level talent has been one of its greatest strengths, lending credibility and drawing crossover audiences.
BKB
BKB's roster leans more toward the traditional bare knuckle and boxing worlds, particularly with its UK base:
- Lee Selby -- Former IBF World featherweight champion, signed in 2025
- Harry "The Hitman" Gigliotti -- Men's Super Lightweight champion
- Helen Peralta -- Women's Featherweight champion
- Jon "Untameable" Barnard -- Top contender
The signing of Lee Selby, a former world boxing champion, signals BKB's intent to compete for high-profile fighters. The merger with the original BKB also brought a deep roster of seasoned UK bare knuckle fighters into the fold.
Fighter Pay
Fighter compensation reflects the promotions' relative sizes and revenue structures.
BKFC
| Tier | Estimated Pay Per Fight |
|---|---|
| Entry-level | $2,000 -- $9,000 |
| Mid-tier | $20,000 -- $30,000 |
| Top-tier | $100,000 -- $300,000 |
| Headliners (Perry, Stephens) | $400,000 -- $700,000+ |
Mike Perry has publicly stated he earns more in BKFC than he did in the UFC, with some fights reportedly netting him over $1 million when including bonuses and sponsorship revenue. BKFC also allows fighters to wear their own sponsors -- a significant differentiator from the UFC's exclusive Reebok/Venum deal -- providing additional income streams.
In July 2025, BKFC announced a Fighter Equity Program, giving select fighters ownership stakes in the promotion. This is unprecedented in combat sports and could reshape how fighters view their relationship with promotions.
BKB
BKB's fighter pay data is less publicly available. Given the promotion's smaller event footprint and newer broadcast deals, compensation likely sits below BKFC's top-tier payouts but is competitive for the bare knuckle market. The Vice TV and Telemundo deals should increase revenue and, by extension, fighter compensation over time.
Event Frequency and Global Reach
| Metric | BKFC | BKB |
|---|---|---|
| Total Events (through 2025) | 142+ | 48+ (40 original BKB + BYB events) |
| Events Per Year (recent) | 24-30+ | 13+ (Vice TV deal alone) |
| Countries | US, UK, Thailand, Dubai, Italy, and expanding to Asia | US, UK, and European expansion |
| Signature Annual Event | Knucklemania | Developing flagship events |
BKFC's event cadence is significantly higher, with multiple shows per month across different markets. The promotion has also expanded aggressively internationally, with events in Dubai, Italy, Thailand, and plans for deeper Asian expansion following the acquisition of a Lethwei promotion.
BKB is building its event frequency, with the Vice TV deal guaranteeing at least 13 prime-time events annually. The acquisition of Bad To The Bone strengthens its UK presence, and the Telemundo deal opens Latin American markets.
Growth Trajectory
BKFC is the clear market leader by volume, revenue, and mainstream profile. Conor McGregor's involvement, the DAZN deal, and the $25 million tournament announcement signal that BKFC is positioning itself as a major combat sports brand, not just a bare knuckle niche product. Discussions around a potential public listing further underscore the ambition.
BKB is the strategic consolidator. By merging BYB and original BKB, acquiring BTTB, and locking in Vice TV and Telemundo deals, BKB has built a coherent multi-platform brand from what were previously fragmented bare knuckle operations. The Trigon remains a unique selling proposition that no other promotion can replicate. BKB's "Trigon Combat" amateur development series, launched in 2025, also builds a pipeline for future talent.
The Verdict: Which Promotion Is Better?
The answer depends on what you value.
Choose BKFC if you want:
- The biggest names and highest-profile fights
- Traditional ring format with familiar boxing dynamics
- More events and broader international access
- The McGregor factor and mainstream crossover appeal
- Higher fighter pay at the top end
Choose BKB if you want:
- The Trigon's unique, action-forcing format
- A 90% stoppage rate and non-stop violence
- Deep roots in British bare knuckle tradition
- A promotion that is growing through smart consolidation
- Vice TV's prime-time Saturday night broadcast window
Both promotions are thriving, and the bare knuckle market appears large enough for both to coexist and grow. BKFC is the bigger ship with more celebrity firepower. BKB is the scrappier, more innovative outfit with the most distinctive fighting format in combat sports. For fans of bare knuckle boxing, having two strong promotions pushing each other to be better is the best possible outcome.
For more on each promotion individually, check out our detailed profiles on BKFC and BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing. For a broader look at the differences between bare knuckle and gloved boxing, see our Bare Knuckle vs Gloved Boxing comparison.