Bare Knuckle Fighting Legality by State (2026 Map)
Bare knuckle fighting has come a long way since BKFC held its first legal event in 2018. As of 2026, the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, with more states approving sanctioned bare knuckle events every year. Here is the complete state-by-state breakdown.
Current Status Overview
As of March 2026, bare knuckle fighting is explicitly legal and regulated in over 30 states. A handful of states remain holdouts, while others exist in a gray area where events are neither explicitly permitted nor prohibited.
Fully Legal and Regulated States
These states have athletic commissions that actively license bare knuckle fighting events under the ABC Unified Rules or state-specific regulations.
| State | Year Legalized | Commission | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | 2018 | WY Combat Sports Commission | First state to sanction BKFC |
| Mississippi | 2018 | MS Athletic Commission | Early adopter |
| Florida | 2019 | FL DBPR Boxing Commission | Major market |
| Alabama | 2019 | AL Athletic Commission | |
| Montana | 2019 | MT Board of Athletics | |
| South Dakota | 2019 | SD Athletic Commission | |
| New Hampshire | 2019 | NH Boxing & Wrestling Commission | |
| Colorado | 2020 | CO DORA | |
| Georgia | 2020 | GA Athletic & Entertainment Commission | |
| Tennessee | 2020 | TN Athletic Commission | |
| Louisiana | 2020 | LA State Athletic Commission | |
| Missouri | 2020 | MO Office of Athletics | |
| Indiana | 2021 | IN Athletic Commission | |
| Kansas | 2021 | KS Athletic Commission | |
| Idaho | 2021 | ID Athletic Commission | |
| Nebraska | 2021 | NE State Athletic Commission | |
| Kentucky | 2021 | KY Boxing & Wrestling Authority | |
| Texas | 2022 | TX TDLR Combative Sports | Major market |
| Nevada | 2022 | NSAC | Las Vegas events |
| Oklahoma | 2022 | OK Athletic Commission | |
| Pennsylvania | 2023 | PA State Athletic Commission | |
| Ohio | 2023 | OH Athletic Commission | |
| North Carolina | 2023 | NC Boxing Authority | |
| South Carolina | 2023 | SC Athletic Commission | |
| Arizona | 2023 | AZ Boxing & MMA Commission | |
| Utah | 2024 | UT Athletic Commission | |
| Arkansas | 2024 | AR Athletic Commission | |
| Virginia | 2024 | VA DPOR Boxing Commission | |
| West Virginia | 2024 | WV Athletic Commission | |
| Michigan | 2025 | MI UNARMED Combat Commission | |
| Illinois | 2025 | IL Athletic Commission | Major market |
| Minnesota | 2025 | MN Combative Sports Commission |
States with Pending Legislation
| State | Status | Expected Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| California | Bill in committee | Late 2026 |
| New Jersey | Commission reviewing | 2026-2027 |
| Maryland | Preliminary discussions | 2027 |
| Iowa | Bill introduced | 2026 |
| Wisconsin | Study committee formed | 2027 |
States Where BKB Is Not Legal
| State | Reason | Likelihood of Change |
|---|---|---|
| New York | Explicit prohibition | Low — strong opposition |
| Connecticut | No enabling legislation | Moderate |
| Massachusetts | Athletic commission opposed | Low |
| Oregon | No framework in place | Moderate |
| Washington | Not yet addressed | Moderate |
| Hawaii | No athletic commission interest | Low |
| Alaska | Regulatory gap | Unknown |
| Maine | Not addressed | Moderate |
| Vermont | Not addressed | Low |
Tribal Land Events
Several bare knuckle events have been held on tribal sovereign land, which operates outside state athletic commission jurisdiction. This includes events in:
- California (prior to state legalization)
- New York
- Washington state
These events operate under tribal gaming commissions and are a legal pathway in states that have not yet approved bare knuckle fighting.
What Changed: The ABC Unified Rules
The adoption of unified rules by the Association of Boxing Commissions in 2024 was a turning point. Having a standardized set of rules gave hesitant states a framework to adopt, dramatically accelerating the legalization trend.
Key requirements under the unified rules include:
- Licensed referees and judges
- On-site medical personnel
- Pre-fight medical examinations
- Approved hand wrapping protocols
- Standard weight classes
How to Check Your State
For the most current information on your state:
- Check your state athletic commission website
- Contact the commission directly
- Consult the ABC website for member commissions
- Follow BKFC valuation and business news for expansion updates
The legalization trend is clear: bare knuckle fighting is rapidly gaining acceptance as a legitimate regulated combat sport. States that were once firmly opposed are now reconsidering as the economic benefits become harder to ignore.
This guide is updated regularly. Last verified: March 2026.