BKFC $25M Tournament Round 1 Results & Analysis
The richest prize in bare knuckle fighting history kicked off on March 8, 2026, in Tampa, Florida. BKFC's $25 million tournament brought together 16 of the best bare knuckle boxers in the world across two weight divisions, all competing for a career-changing purse. Here are the complete Round 1 results and our analysis of what comes next.
For background on the tournament's announcement, see our original coverage.
Tournament Format
- Weight classes: Welterweight (170 lbs) and Lightweight (155 lbs)
- Bracket: 8-man single elimination per division
- Rounds per fight: 5 rounds, 2 minutes each
- Total prize pool: $25 million
- Winner's share: $5 million per division champion
- Round 1 purses: $100,000 per fighter (win or lose)
Welterweight Bracket - Round 1 Results
Fight 1: Mike Perry vs Carlos Rivera
Perry opened the tournament with a statement performance. His jab controlled distance for three rounds before he finished Rivera with a right hand in the fourth. Perry's bare knuckle experience was the decisive factor against the game but outclassed Rivera.
Result: Perry def. Rivera via TKO (R4, 1:32) | Perry advances
Fight 2: Luis Palomino vs Derek Anderson
The fan favorite Palomino used his trademark pressure to overwhelm Anderson. A body-head combination in the second round hurt Anderson badly, and Palomino swarmed for the finish. Classic Palomino.
Result: Palomino def. Anderson via TKO (R2, 1:45) | Palomino advances
Fight 3: Alan Belcher vs Marcus Brimage
Belcher's power advantage was evident from the opening bell. A single overhand right in the first round sent Brimage to the canvas, and the referee waved it off when Brimage could not beat the count.
Result: Belcher def. Brimage via KO (R1, 0:52) | Belcher advances
Fight 4: Jimmie Rivera vs Tyler Goodjohn
The closest fight of the welterweight bracket. Rivera's boxing skills met Goodjohn's British toughness in a five-round war. Rivera earned the unanimous decision with superior volume and accuracy, but Goodjohn made him work for every round.
Result: Rivera def. Goodjohn via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47) | Rivera advances
Lightweight Bracket - Round 1 Results
Fight 5: Francisco Trinaldo vs Joey Beltran
Trinaldo's technical superiority was on full display. His jab-cross combination opened a cut over Beltran's eye in the first round, and the doctor stopped the fight between rounds three and four when the cut worsened significantly.
Result: Trinaldo def. Beltran via TKO (doctor stoppage after R3) | Trinaldo advances
Fight 6: Dat Nguyen vs Jim Alers
Nguyen continued his knockout streak with another devastating first-round finish. His right hand landed clean on Alers's chin, producing the knockout of the night. Alers was unconscious for several seconds before medical staff attended to him.
Result: Nguyen def. Alers via KO (R1, 0:38) | Nguyen advances
Fight 7: Reggie Barnett Jr. vs Howard Davis
Barnett used his experience to outwork Davis over five rounds. His ring generalship and ability to control distance frustrated Davis, who could never find his range. A clear but unspectacular decision victory.
Result: Barnett def. Davis via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46) | Barnett advances
Fight 8: Chris Leben vs Marco Mena
The veteran Leben showed he still has the chin and the heart to compete at the highest level. After being hurt in round two, Leben rallied with a three-punch combination in round four that dropped Mena. Leben finished with ground-and-pound when the referee allowed it to continue briefly on the ground.
Watch on YouTube
Watch the $25 million tournament action on the official BKFC channel:
- BKFC $25M World's Baddest Man Tournament -- Round 1 Highlights -- All first-round finishes and results from the biggest tournament in bare knuckle history
- Tournament Bracket Reveal and Fighter Introductions -- Full bracket breakdown and fighter profiles
- Best Knockouts from the $25M Tournament -- The most explosive finishes from Round 1
Subscribe to the BKFC YouTube channel for free fights, event highlights, and behind-the-scenes content.
Result: Leben def. Mena via TKO (R4, 1:18) | Leben advances
Round 2 Matchups
Welterweight Semifinals
- Mike Perry vs Luis Palomino - A rematch of their 2024 BKFC bout. Perry won the first meeting by decision, but Palomino's pressure style always makes for a competitive fight.
- Alan Belcher vs Jimmie Rivera - Power vs precision. Belcher's one-punch knockout ability meets Rivera's technical boxing.
Lightweight Semifinals
- Francisco Trinaldo vs Dat Nguyen - Technical skill vs devastating power. Trinaldo's experience against Nguyen's highlight-reel finishes.
- Reggie Barnett Jr. vs Chris Leben - Two veterans who know how to win in bare knuckle. Expected to be a tactical battle.
Key Takeaways
Mike Perry is the favorite for a reason. His combination of power, experience, and fight IQ makes him the man to beat in the welterweight bracket.
Dat Nguyen is the most dangerous fighter in the tournament. His knockout power is terrifying, but questions remain about how he handles adversity over five rounds against elite opposition.
The $100,000 per fighter guarantee changed the dynamic. Even Round 1 losers earned significant purses, which attracted a higher caliber of fighter than typical BKFC events.
Bare knuckle boxing has never been bigger. The tournament drew BKFC's highest live gate for a non-KnuckleMania event and broke PPV records for a tournament-format card.
Round 2 Date and Viewing Information
Round 2 is scheduled for April 19, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event will be available on the BKFC App and traditional PPV. For streaming details, see our BKFC streaming guide.
