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KNUCKLEMANIA: THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF BKFC'S FLAGSHIP EVENT

Full history of every KnuckleMania event from BKFC, including fight results, attendance records, and the moments that defined bare knuckle fighting's biggest night.

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KnuckleMania: The Complete History of BKFC's Flagship Event

Every combat sports organization needs its tentpole event -- the annual spectacle that defines the brand and draws casual fans into the fold alongside the hardcore faithful. For the UFC, it is the numbered pay-per-views at Madison Square Garden or T-Mobile Arena. For boxing, it is the mega-fights that commandeer Las Vegas on a Saturday night. For Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), that event is KnuckleMania.

Since its debut in February 2021, KnuckleMania has grown from a curiosity-driven experiment headlined by a reality television star into a sold-out arena spectacle pulling nearly 18,000 fans and featuring former UFC and boxing world champions throwing bare fists under the bright lights. This is the complete history of every KnuckleMania edition -- the fights, the numbers, the turning points, and the moments that turned BKFC from a niche novelty into one of the fastest-growing combat sports promotions on the planet.

KnuckleMania I -- February 5, 2021, RP Funding Center, Lakeland, Florida

The first KnuckleMania was built almost entirely around one name: Paige VanZant. The former UFC flyweight contender and "Dancing with the Stars" competitor had signed a lucrative multi-fight deal with BKFC in 2020, and her promotional debut was positioned as the main event of this inaugural flagship card. The RP Funding Center in Lakeland, Florida was an intimate venue, but the buzz surrounding VanZant ensured that eyeballs were locked in on pay-per-view screens across the country.

Main Event: Britain Hart def. Paige VanZant -- Unanimous Decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)

The result shocked casual observers but not the bare knuckle purists. Britain Hart, a seasoned BKFC competitor with real ring experience under the raw-knuckle format, outworked VanZant across five rounds to earn a lopsided unanimous decision. VanZant showed heart and toughness but struggled to adapt to the nuances of fighting without gloves -- the shorter range, the defensive adjustments, the unforgiving impact of unpadded fists. Hart's victory established that bare knuckle fighting demanded its own specialized skill set, and a name alone would not carry you.

Co-Main Event: Dat Nguyen def. Johnny Bedford -- Unanimous Decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)

In a legitimate title fight, Dat Nguyen dethroned previously undefeated champion Johnny Bedford to capture the BKFC lightweight championship and the Police Gazette American title. It was a competitive five-round affair that demonstrated the depth of talent emerging within the BKFC ranks.

Other Notable Results

  • Lorenzo Hunt knocked out Rob Morrow in the fourth round, foreshadowing the devastating power that would make Hunt a recurring KnuckleMania headliner.
  • Dillon Cleckler scored a savage first-round liver shot knockout of Chris Jensen in just 34 seconds.

Significance

KnuckleMania I proved the concept. Despite VanZant's loss, the event generated substantial pay-per-view numbers and mainstream media coverage. BKFC founder David Feldman had his proof of concept: a branded annual event could elevate bare knuckle fighting beyond its card-by-card existence.

KnuckleMania II -- February 19, 2022, Jackson Convention Complex, Hollywood, Florida

The second edition shifted to Hollywood, Florida and brought significantly more firepower to the card. BKFC had spent the year between events aggressively recruiting from the MMA world, and KnuckleMania II featured two of the most anticipated bare knuckle debuts in the promotion's history.

Main Event: Luis Palomino def. Martin Brown -- Unanimous Decision (BKFC Lightweight Championship)

The official main event saw BKFC lightweight champion Luis Palomino defend his title against Martin Brown via unanimous decision. Palomino's striking pedigree and willingness to trade in the pocket made him a natural fit for the bare knuckle format, and he showed it again here.

Featured Bout: Mike Perry def. Julian Lane -- Unanimous Decision

The fight everyone was talking about. "Platinum" Mike Perry, the fan-favorite former UFC welterweight known for his brawling style and viral knockouts, made his BKFC debut against Julian Lane -- the man immortalized by his "let me bang, bro" outburst on The Ultimate Fighter. The fight lived up to the hype with both men engaging in a war over five rounds. Perry earned the unanimous decision and, more importantly, found his new home. The bare knuckle format seemed tailor-made for his aggressive, forward-moving style.

Featured Bout: Chad Mendes def. Joshua Alvarez -- TKO (Round 4, 1:34)

Former UFC featherweight title challenger Chad Mendes also made his bare knuckle debut, stopping Joshua "Famez" Alvarez in the fourth round. Mendes brought name recognition and legitimate striking credentials to the promotion.

Other Notable Results

  • Christine Feria defeated Britain Hart by unanimous decision to claim the vacant BKFC women's flyweight title, a result that added a new chapter to the women's division.

Significance

KnuckleMania II was the event where BKFC demonstrated it could consistently recruit high-profile MMA veterans. Mike Perry's debut, in particular, was a watershed moment. Perry would go on to become the face of the promotion and the most marketable bare knuckle fighter in the world. The seeds of BKFC's explosive growth were planted on this night.

KnuckleMania III -- February 17, 2023, Tingley Coliseum, Albuquerque, New Mexico

By the third edition, KnuckleMania had established itself as a must-watch annual event. BKFC moved to the Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque, New Mexico and stacked the card with a blend of established BKFC champions and high-profile newcomers from both MMA and boxing.

Main Event: Lorenzo Hunt def. Mike Richman -- KO (Round 1, 1:50) -- BKFC World Light-Heavyweight Title Unification

Lorenzo Hunt produced one of the most dramatic finishes in KnuckleMania history. Dropped early in the opening round, Hunt rose from the canvas and detonated a counter shot that flattened Richman at the 1:50 mark. The comeback knockout unified the BKFC light-heavyweight title and cemented Hunt as one of the most dangerous power punchers in the sport.

Co-Main Event: Austin Trout def. Diego Sanchez -- TKO (Round 4, 1:44)

Former WBA (Regular) light middleweight boxing champion Austin Trout made his bare knuckle debut against UFC veteran Diego Sanchez. Trout's technical superiority was evident from the opening bell, and he systematically broke Sanchez down before the doctor stopped the fight in the fourth round. The bout demonstrated that elite boxing skills translate powerfully to the bare knuckle arena.

Other Notable Results

  • John Dodson knocked out Jarod Grant in just 1:41 of the first round, showing that speed kills in bare knuckle.
  • Josh Watson stopped former NFL defensive end Greg Hardy in the second round (0:19), ending Hardy's bare knuckle experiment almost as quickly as it began.
  • Jayme Hinshaw blitzed Charisa Sigala in 38 seconds for a first-round knockout.

Significance

KnuckleMania III showcased the finishing rate that makes bare knuckle fighting so compelling. Nearly every fight on the main card ended by knockout or stoppage. The card also demonstrated that BKFC could draw from the boxing world, not just MMA -- Austin Trout's involvement signaled a new recruiting pipeline.

KnuckleMania IV -- April 27, 2024, Peacock Theater, Los Angeles, California

BKFC broke from the February tradition and moved KnuckleMania IV to late April, landing at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The shift to a major entertainment market signaled the promotion's growing ambitions, and the main event featured the man who had become bare knuckle's biggest star.

Main Event: Mike Perry def. Thiago Alves -- TKO (Round 1, 1:00)

Mike Perry was now the undisputed face of BKFC and the reigning "King of Violence" after his December 2023 stoppage of former UFC and Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez. Against Thiago Alves, another respected UFC veteran, Perry needed exactly sixty seconds. A thunderous left hook along the ropes sent Alves crashing to the canvas, and the fight was waved off at the one-minute mark. Perry improved his bare knuckle record to an undefeated streak and immediately called out Darren Till.

Significance

KnuckleMania IV was the Mike Perry show, and that was precisely the point. BKFC had found its Conor McGregor-level needle-mover in Perry, a fighter whose charisma, violent style, and social media presence could carry a pay-per-view event. The Los Angeles location also represented BKFC's push into the entertainment capital, courting celebrity attendance and mainstream media coverage. It was also around this time that Conor McGregor's involvement with BKFC was announced, adding another dimension to the promotion's profile.

KnuckleMania V -- January 25, 2025, Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

KnuckleMania V was the event where BKFC proved it could fill an NBA arena. The promotion returned to a January/February window and landed at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia -- a 20,000-seat venue that hosts the 76ers and Flyers. The result was historic.

Attendance: 17,762

This figure set the record for the highest attendance at any combat sports event in modern Philadelphia history, surpassing previous records held by both boxing and UFC events at the venue. It was a milestone moment for the promotion and for the bare knuckle fighting industry as a whole.

Main Event: Jeremy Stephens def. Eddie Alvarez -- TKO (Round 3, 2:00)

Two former UFC veterans with combined decades of experience at the highest levels of MMA collided in a fight that delivered everything fans expected. Stephens, known for his devastating power across multiple UFC weight classes, overwhelmed Alvarez over three rounds before the corner stopped the fight. It was a statement victory for Stephens and a definitive answer to any remaining questions about whether MMA veterans could adapt to bare knuckle at a high level.

Co-Main Event: Ben Rothwell def. Mick Terrill -- KO (Round 1, 0:36) -- BKFC Heavyweight Championship

Former UFC heavyweight Ben Rothwell needed only 36 seconds to claim the BKFC heavyweight title, landing a right hand that flatlined Mick Terrill before the fight had barely begun. Rothwell's size, power, and experience made him an immediate force in the heavyweight division.

Other Notable Results

  • Bec Rawlings, one of bare knuckle's original pioneers, defeated Taylor Starling by unanimous decision (50-44, 49-45, 50-44) in a dominant performance.
  • Pat Brady stopped Zach Calmus in 53 seconds.
  • Johnny Garbarino knocked out Apostle Spencer with a right hand in the first round.

Significance

KnuckleMania V was the breakthrough. Nearly 18,000 fans in a major professional sports arena watching bare knuckle fighting -- a sport that was illegal in most states just a decade earlier. The attendance record demonstrated that BKFC had crossed from niche promotion to mainstream combat sports entity. The event also set the stage for the biggest KnuckleMania yet.

KnuckleMania VI -- February 7, 2026, Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Returning to Philadelphia with momentum and a sold-out crowd of over 18,000, KnuckleMania VI delivered a card stacked with championship implications and former UFC heavyweights looking to write new chapters in their legendary careers.

Main Event: Andrei Arlovski def. Ben Rothwell -- TKO (Doctor's Stoppage, Round 3, 1:14) -- BKFC Heavyweight Championship

A rivalry decades in the making reached its bare knuckle conclusion. Andrei Arlovski and Ben Rothwell had first fought in the UFC in 2015, and now, in their 40s, they met again with bare fists and a BKFC heavyweight title on the line. Arlovski, the former UFC heavyweight champion, turned back the clock with a clinical performance that opened severe cuts on Rothwell's face, prompting the doctor to stop the fight in the third round. At 47 years old, Arlovski claimed a new championship belt and proved that elite-level skill transcends era and format.

Co-Main Event: Lorenzo Hunt def. David Mundell -- KO (Round 4, 0:29) -- Champ vs. Champ

Light-heavyweight champion Lorenzo Hunt continued his reign of terror, destroying middleweight champion David Mundell in a non-title, champ-versus-champ superfight. Hunt's fourth-round knockout was his latest in a string of devastating finishes on the KnuckleMania stage, further cementing his status as the most fearsome champion in BKFC.

Other Main Card Results

  • Johnny Garbarino def. Kaine Tomlinson Jr. via TKO (Round 5, 0:49)
  • Patrick Brady def. Bear Hill via unanimous decision (50-42, 50-41, 49-43)
  • Jade Masson-Wong def. Crystal Pittman via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
  • Mike Richman def. Joe Elmore via majority decision
  • Charles Bennett def. Pat Sullivan via TKO (Round 2, 1:56)
  • Ben Bonner def. Tony Soto via unanimous decision
  • Cody Russell def. Harrison Aiken via TKO (Round 2, 1:16)
  • Zedekiah Montanez def. Brandon Meyer via KO (Round 2, 1:59)

Significance

KnuckleMania VI proved that the Philadelphia attendance record from KnuckleMania V was not a one-time anomaly. Selling out the arena again with over 18,000 fans demonstrated sustained demand and a loyal fanbase that continues to grow. The Arlovski vs. Rothwell main event brought mainstream MMA media coverage, and the depth of the undercard showed that BKFC's roster extends far beyond its headliners. With the $25 million World's Baddest Man tournament set to launch in March 2026, KnuckleMania VI felt like the springboard into BKFC's most ambitious year yet.

The KnuckleMania Legacy: By the Numbers

Edition Date Venue City Main Event Result
I Feb. 5, 2021 RP Funding Center Lakeland, FL Hart vs. VanZant UD
II Feb. 19, 2022 Jackson Convention Complex Hollywood, FL Palomino vs. Brown UD
III Feb. 17, 2023 Tingley Coliseum Albuquerque, NM Hunt vs. Richman KO R1
IV Apr. 27, 2024 Peacock Theater Los Angeles, CA Perry vs. Alves TKO R1
V Jan. 25, 2025 Wells Fargo Center Philadelphia, PA Stephens vs. Alvarez TKO R3
VI Feb. 7, 2026 Xfinity Mobile Arena Philadelphia, PA Arlovski vs. Rothwell TKO R3

What KnuckleMania Means for Bare Knuckle Fighting

The trajectory of KnuckleMania mirrors the trajectory of bare knuckle fighting itself. From a small venue in central Florida to sold-out NBA arenas in a major East Coast city, KnuckleMania has been the vehicle through which BKFC has proven its viability as a mainstream combat sports promotion.

Each edition has brought something new: the celebrity crossover appeal of VanZant, the arrival of Mike Perry, the integration of boxing champions like Austin Trout, the record-breaking attendance in Philadelphia, and the storybook championship run of Andrei Arlovski. The event has become the annual measuring stick for the state of bare knuckle fighting, and by every metric -- attendance, pay-per-view buys, media coverage, fighter caliber -- the trend line points up.

With Conor McGregor now serving as co-owner and the $25 million World's Baddest Man tournament set to unfold across 2026, the question is no longer whether KnuckleMania will return for a seventh edition. The question is how big it can get.

For more on BKFC's growth trajectory, read our analysis of The State of Underground Fighting in 2026. For coverage of other major bare knuckle events, see our guides to Top Dog FC Major Events and KOTS Major Events.