Every UFC Fighter Who Went to Bare Knuckle (Complete List 2026)
The pipeline from UFC to bare knuckle fighting has become one of the most significant talent flows in combat sports. Former UFC fighters bring name recognition, skill, and fan bases to organizations like BKFC and Gamebred BKMMA. This is the definitive list of every former UFC competitor who has competed in professional bare knuckle combat, updated for 2026.
For pay comparisons between the two sports, see our BKFC vs UFC fighter pay breakdown.
Watch BKFC fights on YouTube | Watch Gamebred BKMMA on YouTube
The Complete Crossover List
Champions and Title Contenders
| Fighter | UFC Record | BK Promotion | BK Record | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Perry | 7-8 UFC | BKFC / Gamebred | 8-1 | BKFC star, multiple titles |
| Paige VanZant | 5-4 UFC | BKFC | 1-3 | Major media draw |
| Artem Lobov | 2-5 UFC | BKFC | 2-1 | Pioneer crossover fighter |
| Eddie Alvarez | 6-3 UFC (champ) | BKFC / Gamebred | 4-0 | Former UFC lightweight champ |
| Chad Mendes | 8-4 UFC | Gamebred | 3-1 | Former UFC title challenger |
| Hector Lombard | 4-5 UFC | BKFC / Gamebred | 5-1 | Cuban boxing pedigree |
| Luke Rockhold | 6-4 UFC (champ) | BKFC | 0-1 | Former UFC middleweight champ |
| Alan Belcher | 10-6 UFC | BKFC | 3-0 | Devastating power |
| Jimmie Rivera | 6-4 UFC | BKFC / Gamebred | 4-0 | Elite bantamweight skills |
| Andrei Arlovski | 21-15 UFC (champ) | BKFC | 3-0 | Former UFC heavyweight champ |
Veteran UFC Fighters
| Fighter | UFC Record | BK Promotion | BK Record | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luis Palomino | 0-2 UFC | BKFC | 7-3 | BKFC fan favorite |
| Jason Knight | 3-4 UFC | BKFC / Gamebred | 4-5 | War machine, always exciting |
| Alan Jouban | 7-5 UFC | Gamebred | 3-2 | Technical striker |
| Thiago Alves | 15-13 UFC | Gamebred | 4-1 | Leg kick specialist |
| Jeremy Stephens | 15-19 UFC | Gamebred | 1-2 | Hardest hitter at 145 |
| Leonard Garcia | 3-5 UFC | Gamebred | 1-2 | Action fighter |
| Joey Beltran | 3-5 UFC | BKFC | 4-2 | Heavyweight brawler |
| Ulysses Diaz | 0-1 UFC | Gamebred | 2-3 | Power puncher |
| Chris Leben | 10-8 UFC | BKFC | 2-0 | "The Crippler" |
| Francisco Trinaldo | 18-9 UFC | BKFC | 2-0 | Late-career crossover |
| Jim Alers | 1-2 UFC | BKFC | 3-4 | Palomino rival |
| Lorenzo Hunt | 0-1 UFC | Gamebred | 1-3 | Heavyweight |
Watch Perry vs Rockhold on YouTube | Watch BKFC fights on YouTube
Why UFC Fighters Cross Over
Money - Mid-tier UFC fighters often earn more in bare knuckle. BKFC's top fighters can earn six figures per fight without the UFC's restrictive contract structure.
Opportunity - Fighters released from the UFC or past their prime find competitive opportunities and championship fights in bare knuckle.
Excitement - Many fighters genuinely prefer the bare knuckle format. Without takedown threats (in BKFC) and without gloves, striking purists feel more at home.
Fame - Bare knuckle promotions market their UFC veterans heavily, giving fighters more spotlight than they received in the UFC.
Success Rate Analysis
Former UFC fighters have a combined record of approximately 65-35 in bare knuckle competition, a win rate of roughly 65%. This suggests that UFC-level skills translate well but are not an automatic advantage. The fighters who struggle tend to be those who relied on grappling in the UFC and cannot adapt to pure striking.
The most successful crossovers share common traits: they were primarily strikers in the UFC, they have durable chins, and they embrace the different pace of bare knuckle boxing.
Who Could Cross Over Next?
Several current and recently released UFC fighters have been linked to bare knuckle careers:
- Former UFC welterweights exploring BKFC opportunities
- Retired champions looking for legacy fights
- Fighters whose UFC contracts have expired without renewal
The BKFC $25M tournament has attracted interest from several former UFC fighters who see the prize money as career-defining.
The Impact on Both Sports
The UFC-to-bare-knuckle pipeline has legitimized bare knuckle fighting more than any other factor. When fans see recognizable names competing without gloves, it normalizes the sport and drives PPV buys. For the UFC, the exodus of talent has been largely inconsequential, as the fighters who leave are typically past their competitive peak.