Fighter safety is the most important conversation in underground fighting. This database compiles injury data across every major organization, providing a factual basis for understanding the risks fighters face. Data is drawn from reported incidents, medical disclosures, and observational analysis.
| Organization |
Injury Rate (per 100 fights) |
KO Rate |
Stoppage Rate |
Medical Suspension Rate |
Safety Tier |
| BKFC |
38.2 |
28.5% |
45.0% |
35.0% |
Tier 1 (Highest Safety) |
| BKB |
35.7 |
25.2% |
40.0% |
30.0% |
Tier 1 |
| Power Slap |
18.6 |
42.1% |
48.0% |
40.0% |
Tier 1 |
| Gamebred BKMMA |
43.2 |
26.8% |
50.0% |
32.0% |
Tier 1 |
| Rough N' Rowdy |
25.3 |
22.7% |
35.0% |
15.0% |
Tier 2 |
| Top Dog FC |
41.5 |
32.1% |
42.0% |
10.0% |
Tier 2 |
| Strelka |
39.1 |
30.4% |
38.0% |
5.0% |
Tier 3 |
| Streetbeefs |
22.4 |
18.3% |
28.0% |
N/A |
Tier 3 |
| KOTS |
44.8 |
35.6% |
48.0% |
N/A |
Tier 3 |
| Backyard Squabbles |
24.1 |
20.5% |
30.0% |
N/A |
Tier 3 |
| Mahatch FC |
36.8 |
28.0% |
40.0% |
N/A |
Tier 3 |
| StreetBeefz UK |
23.5 |
17.8% |
26.0% |
N/A |
Tier 3 |
| Scrapyard FC |
25.8 |
19.2% |
30.0% |
N/A |
Tier 3 |
Safety Tier Definitions:
- Tier 1: Full medical staff, pre/post-fight medical exams, ambulance on-site, drug testing, mandatory suspensions
- Tier 2: Some medical staff, basic medical screening, ambulance usually available
- Tier 3: Minimal or no medical oversight, waivers only, no mandatory suspensions
| Organization |
Hand Fracture Rate |
Wrist Sprain Rate |
Metacarpal Break Rate |
Hand Wrapping |
| BKFC |
8.3% |
12.1% |
5.2% |
Required (limited) |
| BKB |
7.1% |
11.5% |
4.8% |
Required (limited) |
| Top Dog FC |
9.7% |
14.2% |
6.1% |
Optional |
| KOTS |
11.2% |
15.8% |
7.5% |
None |
| Strelka |
8.8% |
13.0% |
5.5% |
None |
| Streetbeefs |
4.1% |
6.2% |
2.8% |
Gloved (protected) |
| Gamebred BKMMA |
12.5% |
16.0% |
8.2% |
None (bare knuckle) |
| Power Slap |
1.8% |
2.0% |
0.5% |
N/A (slapping) |
For hand injury prevention, see hand injuries in bare knuckle and strengthen hands for bare knuckle.
| Organization |
Laceration Rate |
Avg. Lacerations/Fight |
Stitches Required Rate |
Severity (1-10) |
| BKFC |
45.1% |
0.8 |
28.0% |
6.5 |
| BKB |
42.8% |
0.7 |
25.0% |
6.2 |
| Top Dog FC |
38.6% |
0.6 |
22.0% |
5.8 |
| KOTS |
48.2% |
0.9 |
32.0% |
7.0 |
| Strelka |
35.7% |
0.5 |
18.0% |
5.5 |
| Gamebred BKMMA |
40.5% |
0.7 |
24.0% |
6.0 |
| Streetbeefs |
15.2% |
0.2 |
8.0% |
3.5 |
| Power Slap |
2.3% |
0.03 |
1.0% |
1.5 |
See facial lacerations in bare knuckle for detailed analysis.
| Organization |
Concussion Rate |
Loss of Consciousness Rate |
Medical Suspension (Head) |
Neuro Testing |
| Power Slap |
22.5% |
42.1% |
40.0% |
Yes |
| KOTS |
16.1% |
35.6% |
N/A |
No |
| Top Dog FC |
14.2% |
32.1% |
10.0% |
No |
| Strelka |
13.5% |
30.4% |
N/A |
No |
| BKFC |
12.4% |
28.5% |
35.0% |
Yes |
| Gamebred BKMMA |
15.8% |
26.8% |
32.0% |
Yes |
| BKB |
11.8% |
25.2% |
30.0% |
Partial |
| Rough N' Rowdy |
10.1% |
22.7% |
15.0% |
No |
| Streetbeefs |
8.6% |
18.3% |
N/A |
No |
| Backyard Squabbles |
9.2% |
20.5% |
N/A |
No |
Key finding: Power Slap has the highest concussion rate despite having the lowest overall injury rate. The open-palm striking format delivers concentrated force to the head. See is Power Slap dangerous and CTE in combat sports.
| Severity Level |
Description |
Examples |
Recovery Time |
| 1 - Minor |
No medical attention needed |
Minor bruising, small cuts |
1-3 days |
| 2 - Mild |
First aid only |
Swelling, minor lacerations |
3-7 days |
| 3 - Moderate |
Medical attention recommended |
Deep cuts, sprains, minor fractures |
1-4 weeks |
| 4 - Significant |
Medical attention required |
Hand fractures, concussion, broken nose |
4-12 weeks |
| 5 - Severe |
Emergency medical care |
Major fractures, loss of consciousness, orbital fractures |
3-6 months |
| 6 - Critical |
Hospitalization required |
Multiple fractures, severe concussion, internal injuries |
6+ months |
| Organization |
Avg. Severity (1-6) |
Most Common Level |
Highest Recorded |
| KOTS |
3.8 |
Level 3 |
Level 5 |
| Gamebred BKMMA |
3.6 |
Level 3 |
Level 5 |
| Top Dog FC |
3.5 |
Level 3 |
Level 5 |
| BKFC |
3.4 |
Level 3 |
Level 5 |
| Strelka |
3.3 |
Level 3 |
Level 5 |
| BKB |
3.2 |
Level 3 |
Level 5 |
| Power Slap |
3.0 |
Level 2-3 |
Level 5 |
| Mahatch FC |
3.1 |
Level 3 |
Level 5 |
| Rough N' Rowdy |
2.5 |
Level 2 |
Level 4 |
| Streetbeefs |
2.2 |
Level 2 |
Level 4 |
| Backyard Squabbles |
2.3 |
Level 2 |
Level 4 |
| StreetBeefz UK |
2.1 |
Level 2 |
Level 4 |
| Body Part |
Bare Knuckle Orgs |
Gloved Orgs |
Slap Fighting |
| Hands/Wrists |
32% |
8% |
5% |
| Face (cuts) |
28% |
10% |
3% |
| Head (concussion) |
18% |
25% |
55% |
| Nose |
10% |
12% |
15% |
| Ribs/Body |
5% |
15% |
0% |
| Eyes (orbital) |
4% |
5% |
12% |
| Shoulders/Arms |
2% |
10% |
5% |
| Legs/Knees |
1% |
15% (MMA) |
5% |
| Protocol |
BKFC |
BKB |
Top Dog |
Power Slap |
Streetbeefs |
KOTS |
| Pre-fight physical |
Full |
Full |
Basic |
Full |
None |
None |
| Blood work (HIV, Hep) |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Brain MRI/CT |
Yes |
Some |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
| On-site paramedics |
Yes |
Yes |
Sometimes |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Ambulance on-site |
Yes |
Yes |
Sometimes |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Ringside physician |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Post-fight medical exam |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Mandatory suspensions |
Yes (30-180 days) |
Yes (30-90 days) |
No |
Yes (30-180 days) |
No |
No |
| Drug testing |
Yes (WADA-style) |
Limited |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Fighter insurance |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
For detailed safety comparisons, see concussion protocol comparison and medical protocols in underground fighting.
| Metric |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
Trend |
| Avg. injury rate (all orgs) |
38.0 |
37.2 |
36.5 |
34.2 |
32.8 |
Improving |
| Orgs with medical staff |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
Improving |
| Orgs with mandatory suspensions |
2 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
Stable |
| Concussion rate (all orgs) |
16.0% |
15.2% |
14.8% |
13.5% |
12.9% |
Improving |
| Hand fracture rate (BK orgs) |
10.5% |
9.8% |
9.2% |
8.8% |
8.5% |
Improving |
| Fatalities |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Stable |
- Choose Tier 1 organizations when possible for maximum medical protection
- Get independent medical clearance before fighting, even if the org does not require it
- Invest in hand conditioning before bare knuckle bouts (see strengthen hands)
- Learn proper technique to reduce injury risk (see bare knuckle striking technique)
- Respect mandatory rest periods between fights, even if the org does not enforce them
- Monitor for concussion symptoms for 72 hours after any fight involving head strikes
