BKFC (Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship): Everything You Need to Know
Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2018 |
| Headquarters | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Founder / President | David Feldman |
| Part Owners | Conor McGregor / McGregor Sports and Entertainment (since 2024) |
| Format | Professional bare knuckle boxing |
| Weight Classes | 9 male (flyweight to heavyweight), 3 female (strawweight to featherweight) |
| Events Held | 142+ (through December 2025) |
| Flagship Event | KnuckleMania (annual, January/February) |
| Attendance Record | 18,217 (KnuckleMania VI, February 2026) |
| Valuation | Approximately $400 million (2024) |
| Global Reach | 60+ countries |
| Website | bkfc.com |
| Social Media | Instagram (2M+ followers), YouTube, Facebook |
Overview
There is a moment in every bare knuckle fight when the gloves come off -- literally. No padding. No forgiveness. Just two fighters, wrapped wrists, and the oldest form of competitive combat known to civilization. That raw, unfiltered reality is the beating heart of the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, and it is precisely why BKFC has exploded from a niche curiosity into the fastest-growing combat sports promotion on the planet.
Founded in 2018 by Philadelphia boxing promoter David Feldman, BKFC made history as the first organization to legally host sanctioned bare knuckle fighting events in the United States since 1889 -- over 130 years of dormancy shattered in a single night in Cheyenne, Wyoming. What started as a bold gamble by a man with deep roots in the boxing world has since grown into a global enterprise valued at roughly $400 million, with part-ownership from UFC superstar Conor McGregor, a roster stacked with former world champions and UFC veterans, and a flagship event series -- KnuckleMania -- that has drawn nearly 18,500 fans to a single venue.
BKFC is no longer an underground phenomenon. It is the world's largest bare knuckle promotion, operating in over 60 countries, hosting more than 30 events per year, and pulling in revenue growth that doubles annually. If the UFC democratized mixed martial arts for the mainstream, BKFC is doing the same for the sport that came before all of it -- the sport that predates the Marquess of Queensberry rules, predates boxing gloves, and predates every sanctioning body on earth. This is fighting stripped down to its most elemental form. And millions of people cannot look away.
History
The Man Behind the Fists: David Feldman
Every combat sports revolution needs its true believer, and for bare knuckle fighting, that person is David Feldman. A former boxer from the Philadelphia area and a longtime boxing promoter, Feldman had spent decades working the corners and undercards of the traditional boxing world. He understood the sport's appeal at a molecular level -- the drama of two people testing their will against each other, the crowd's visceral response to clean exchanges, the raw human narrative embedded in every round.
But Feldman also saw something that most of the boxing establishment was too comfortable to admit: the sport was losing its edge. The proliferation of protective equipment, the cautious styles rewarded by modern judging, the corporate sanitization of the fight experience -- all of it was creating distance between the fighters and the fans. Feldman believed there was an audience hungry for something more primal. Something closer to the bone.
Bare knuckle fighting had never truly disappeared. It had thrived in underground circuits across the United States, the United Kingdom, and beyond for decades. The problem was legality. No state athletic commission in America had sanctioned a bare knuckle event since John L. Sullivan and Jake Kilrain fought their legendary 75-round bout in Richburg, Mississippi, in 1889. For over a century, bare knuckle fighting existed in the shadows -- in barns, in backyards, on Streetbeefs-style YouTube channels.
Feldman set out to change that.
BKFC 1: The Beginning (June 2, 2018)
After years of lobbying, Feldman secured what no one else had managed in 129 years: sanctioning from a U.S. state athletic commission. Wyoming gave the green light, and on June 2, 2018, BKFC 1: The Beginning took place in Cheyenne. The event was historic on multiple fronts. It featured the first legally sanctioned bare knuckle fights in America since the 19th century, and it included the first sanctioned women's bare knuckle bout in modern American history.
The event was raw, dramatic, and drew immediate media attention -- much of it skeptical, some of it outraged, and all of it exactly the kind of exposure a fledgling promotion needs to survive. The combat sports world took notice. Fans who had grown disillusioned with the increasingly corporate nature of boxing and MMA found something authentic in what Feldman was offering.
Early Growth (2018-2020)
BKFC's early years were defined by steady, methodical expansion. The promotion staged three events in its debut year, then six in 2019. When COVID-19 shut down live entertainment worldwide in 2020, BKFC managed to hold another six events -- a testament to Feldman's determination and the promotion's lean operational model.
These early cards were built around fighters with existing combat sports pedigrees -- journeyman boxers, MMA veterans, and tough-as-nails scrappers who were willing to step into the squared circle without gloves. The production quality was modest, the venues were small, and the purses were humble. But the fights were electric. Bare knuckle bouts tend to produce more cuts, more knockdowns, and more dramatic finishes than their gloved counterparts, and BKFC's early events delivered on that promise consistently.
The Breakout Years (2021-2023)
The pandemic, paradoxically, accelerated BKFC's growth. Combat sports fans, starved for live content, discovered the promotion through its streaming platform. The numbers started climbing fast: 12 events in 2021, 22 in 2022. Revenue doubled year over year. The roster deepened with higher-profile signings, including former UFC fighters like Paige VanZant, who famously revealed she earned ten times more in BKFC than she ever did in the UFC.
In September 2022, BKFC made its first major international acquisition, purchasing the UK-based Bare Fist Boxing Association (BFBA) to form BKFC UK. The move gave Feldman a footprint in one of bare knuckle fighting's most culturally important markets -- the United Kingdom, where bare knuckle has deep roots in Traveller and working-class sporting traditions.
BKFC Thailand launched in 2021, bringing the promotion into the Asian combat sports landscape. Though BKFC Thailand would eventually cease operations by mid-2024, it laid the groundwork for a broader Asian expansion strategy that would evolve into BKFC Lethwei, announced in 2025.
The McGregor Era (2024-Present)
On April 27, 2024, at BKFC KnuckleMania IV, the promotion detonated a bomb that reverberated across the entire combat sports industry: Conor McGregor, the biggest star in UFC history, had become a part owner of BKFC through his company McGregor Sports and Entertainment.
McGregor's involvement was not ceremonial. The Irishman threw himself into the role with characteristic intensity, leveraging his massive global platform to amplify BKFC's reach and legitimacy. In January 2025, additional investment arrived when Derik Fay of 3F Management bought into the promotion alongside McGregor.
Then came the announcement that signaled BKFC's ambitions had reached an entirely new scale: the $25 Million World's Baddest Man Tournament. Unveiled at the inaugural BKFC Champions Summit in Hollywood, Florida, in July 2025, the tournament features 32 fighters competing in an open-weight format ranging from 185 to 265+ pounds, with $15 million going to the winner. Conor McGregor himself will host an accompanying docu-series. The tournament kicked off in March 2026 and is scheduled to conclude with a grand finale in the Middle East in March 2027.
Also at the 2025 Champions Summit, McGregor and Feldman announced something unprecedented in combat sports: BKFC champions and long-tenured fighters would be offered equity stakes in the promotion itself, valued at between $100,000 and $3 million. It was a radical move -- fighters as owners -- and it sent shockwaves through an industry where fighter compensation has been a perennial flashpoint.
Format and Rules
BKFC operates under the Unified Rules of Bare Knuckle Fighting, approved by the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC). These rules govern every sanctioned BKFC event worldwide.
The Ring
BKFC bouts take place in a circular ring -- not the square canvas of traditional boxing or the octagonal cage of MMA. The ring measures 22 feet in diameter, enclosed by four rigid ropes stretched between eight padded upright poles. The smaller ring size forces engagement. There is no running, no excessive movement, and nowhere to hide. Fighters are in each other's face from the opening bell.
Two lines, three feet apart, are marked in the center of the ring. At the start of each round, fighters step to these lines, place their front foot on the mark, and await the referee's command: "Knuckle up." It is one of the most distinctive rituals in all of combat sports -- a signal that the action is about to begin at close range.
Rounds and Duration
- Standard bouts: 5 rounds, 2 minutes per round
- Championship bouts: 5 rounds, 2 minutes per round
- Rest periods: 1 minute between rounds
The two-minute round format is deliberately shorter than boxing's three-minute rounds. Without gloves to absorb impact, bare knuckle rounds are significantly more intense. Two minutes of bare knuckle fighting is more damaging -- and more exhausting -- than casual observers might expect.
Legal Techniques
- Punches only: All strikes must be delivered with a closed fist. No kicks, elbows, knees, or headbutts are permitted.
- Limited clinch fighting: Fighters may clinch with one hand and punch with the other, provided they remain active. Excessive holding or stalling results in a referee break.
- No grappling: Takedowns, throws, and submissions are not permitted.
Hand Wrapping
This is where bare knuckle diverges most visibly from traditional boxing. Fighters may wrap and tape their wrists, thumbs, and mid-hand for support, but no gauze or tape may come within one inch of the knuckle line. The knuckles themselves must remain completely bare -- exposed bone and skin against the opponent's face and body.
Knockdowns and Stoppages
If a fighter is knocked down, they have 10 seconds to return to their feet. Failure to rise results in a knockout. Fights can also be stopped by:
- Technical knockout (referee stoppage)
- Corner stoppage (a fighter's corner throws in the towel)
- Doctor stoppage
- Submission (verbal tap-out)
- Disqualification
Required Equipment
- Mouthpiece
- Groin protector with cup
- Boxing trunks
- Boxing or wrestling shoes
What Makes It Different
The absence of gloves changes everything about the fighting dynamic. Punches land harder on the target but also punish the hands of the person throwing them. Broken hands are common. Cuts open faster and bleed more freely. Fighters must be more selective with their shots -- wild, reckless punching is a fast track to shattered metacarpals. The result is a fighting style that rewards precision, timing, and controlled aggression over volume punching.
Weight Classes and Champions
Male Weight Classes
BKFC operates nine male weight divisions:
| Weight Class | Limit | Current Champion |
|---|---|---|
| Heavyweight | 265 lbs | Alessio Sakara |
| Light Heavyweight | 205 lbs | Lorenzo Hunt |
| Middleweight | 185 lbs | David Mundell |
| Welterweight | 170 lbs | Austin Trout |
| Super Lightweight | 155 lbs | Dustin Pague |
| Lightweight | 145 lbs | Franco Tenaglia |
| Featherweight | 135 lbs | Kai Stewart |
| Bantamweight | 125 lbs | -- |
| Flyweight | 115 lbs | -- |
Female Weight Classes
BKFC operates three female weight divisions:
| Weight Class | Limit | Current Champion |
|---|---|---|
| Featherweight | 145 lbs | -- |
| Flyweight | 125 lbs | Christine Ferea |
| Strawweight | 115 lbs | Britain Hart |
Pound-for-Pound Rankings
As of early 2026, the men's pound-for-pound number one is Austin Trout, the former WBA Super Welterweight boxing world champion who has dominated the BKFC welterweight division since winning the title in February 2024. On the women's side, Christine Ferea holds the undisputed claim to the top spot, with the longest winning streak and the most stoppage victories of any female fighter in BKFC history.
Notable Fighters
Austin Trout -- The Boxing World Champion Who Found a Second Kingdom
Austin "No Doubt" Trout is not the kind of fighter most people expected to see in bare knuckle. A former WBA Super Welterweight World Champion who shared the ring with Canelo Alvarez, Miguel Cotto, and Jermall Charlo during his gloved career, Trout brought a level of technical boxing ability to BKFC that the promotion had never seen.
On February 2, 2024, at BKFC 57, Trout defeated Luis Palomino to claim the BKFC welterweight championship -- becoming the first gloved world champion boxer to win a BKFC world title. He has since defended the belt multiple times and risen to the number one spot in the men's pound-for-pound rankings. Trout fights with the precision of a surgeon, using his jab, footwork, and ring generalship to dismantle opponents who are accustomed to the brawling style that dominates bare knuckle. His presence has legitimized BKFC in the eyes of the traditional boxing world.
Christine Ferea -- The Queen of Bare Knuckle
If there is a single fighter who embodies the spirit and trajectory of BKFC, it is Christine "Misfit" Ferea. A former amateur Muay Thai fighter with a 13-0 record and an Invicta FC veteran, Ferea found her way to BKFC in 2018 and has since become the most dominant female bare knuckle fighter in history.
Ferea won the inaugural BKFC women's flyweight title at KnuckleMania 2 in February 2022, defeating Britain Hart in a rematch. She has defended that belt six times, stopping Taylor Starling in the first round, finishing Bec Rawlings twice, and claiming a fourth-round doctor's stoppage over Christine Vicens. Her seven-fight winning streak is the longest by any female fighter in BKFC history, and no woman in the promotion has more stoppage victories. In October 2025, she added another piece of hardware, winning the inaugural "Queen of Violence" title at bantamweight by stopping Jessica Borga in the fourth round at BKFC 82.
Ferea is not just a champion. She is the gold standard.
Britain Hart -- The Iron Strawweight
Britain Hart holds a distinction that speaks to her durability and drawing power: she has headlined more BKFC events than any other fighter, male or female. A former professional boxer with a 4-4-3 record in the gloved game, Hart found her calling in bare knuckle and has never looked back.
Her signature moment came on February 5, 2021, when she defeated Paige VanZant -- one of the most famous fighters to ever sign with BKFC -- via unanimous decision in the main event of the original KnuckleMania. Hart went on to win the inaugural BKFC women's strawweight championship with a unanimous decision over Charisa Sigala at BKFC 29, and she remains the only woman to have held that title. Through multiple title defenses, Hart has established herself as one of the toughest and most reliable attractions in the promotion. She has never been knocked down or knocked out.
Mike Perry -- Platinum Goes Bare Knuckle
"Platinum" Mike Perry left the UFC with a reputation for fan-friendly violence, and his transition to BKFC felt like a homecoming. Perry signed the biggest contract in BKFC history -- reportedly worth $8 million -- and immediately became the promotion's biggest star.
At BKFC 56 in December 2023, Perry knocked out Eddie Alvarez in the second round, walking away with $1.1 million in prize money for a single night's work. His combination of charisma, knockout power, and social media savvy has made him a cornerstone of BKFC's mainstream push.
Eddie Alvarez -- The Underground King
Eddie Alvarez brought a resume that few fighters in any combat sport can match: former UFC Lightweight Champion, former Bellator Lightweight Champion, and one of the most accomplished lightweight fighters in MMA history. Alvarez signed with BKFC to test himself in the bare knuckle arena and immediately delivered marquee fights.
His rivalry with Mike Perry produced one of the most talked-about BKFC bouts ever, and his main event against Jeremy Stephens at KnuckleMania V drew a record-breaking crowd. Though Alvarez lost both of those high-profile encounters, his willingness to compete at the highest level of bare knuckle fighting -- after everything he had already accomplished in MMA -- brought enormous credibility and eyeballs to the promotion.
Luis Palomino -- The Original Double Champ
Luis "Baboon" Palomino holds a permanent place in BKFC history as the first simultaneous two-division champion in the organization's existence. A former MMA fighter with 15 knockout victories across a 26-17 professional record, Palomino made his bare knuckle debut at BKFC 10 in February 2020 and quickly rose through the ranks.
Palomino captured the lightweight title and then moved up to welterweight, defeating Elvin Brito at BKFC 26 in June 2022 to become the first fighter to hold belts in two weight classes at the same time. His reign as a double champion established a benchmark for achievement within the promotion, and his eventual showdown with Austin Trout at BKFC 57 remains one of the most compelling title fights in BKFC history.
Paige VanZant -- The Crossover Star
Former UFC fighter Paige VanZant signed with BKFC in 2020 and immediately generated more mainstream attention than any single signing in the promotion's history. VanZant's debut at KnuckleMania in February 2021 -- a loss to Britain Hart -- drew massive viewership and introduced BKFC to an audience that had never considered watching bare knuckle fighting. VanZant was open about her earnings, stating publicly that she made ten times more in BKFC than the UFC ever paid her.
KnuckleMania
KnuckleMania is BKFC's annual flagship event, the bare knuckle equivalent of the UFC's International Fight Week or boxing's Cinco de Mayo weekend. Held in the promotion's home city of Philadelphia, KnuckleMania has grown from a promising experiment into one of the most anticipated events on the combat sports calendar.
KnuckleMania I (February 5, 2021 -- Tampa, Florida)
The event that put BKFC on the mainstream map. Headlined by Paige VanZant's promotional debut against Britain Hart, the original KnuckleMania generated significant media coverage and drew casual fans into the bare knuckle world for the first time at scale. Hart's unanimous decision victory over VanZant was the headline, but the entire card showcased the intensity and entertainment value that BKFC could deliver on its biggest stage.
KnuckleMania II (February 19, 2022 -- Hollywood, Florida)
KnuckleMania 2 featured Christine Ferea's historic flyweight title victory over Britain Hart and Luis Palomino's successful defense of his lightweight championship. The event established KnuckleMania as a recurring tentpole and demonstrated that BKFC could build compelling championship-level cards year after year.
KnuckleMania III (February 2023)
The third edition continued the upward trajectory, with growing attendance figures and an increasingly stacked card. Each successive KnuckleMania was drawing more fans, more media attention, and bigger names.
KnuckleMania IV (April 27, 2024 -- Hollywood, Florida)
This was the event where everything changed. Conor McGregor's ownership stake was announced at KnuckleMania IV, and the combat sports world took notice. The McGregor effect was immediate -- social media impressions spiked, mainstream media covered the event, and BKFC's profile rose overnight. The event itself delivered memorable fights, but the real story was the business transformation happening behind the scenes.
KnuckleMania V (January 25, 2025 -- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
BKFC came home. KnuckleMania V at the Wells Fargo Center drew 17,762 fans -- a record for any combat sports event in modern Philadelphia history, surpassing previous marks set by both UFC and major boxing events. The main event pitted Eddie Alvarez against Jeremy Stephens, with Stephens earning a third-round TKO via corner stoppage. The co-main saw Ben Rothwell claim the heavyweight title with a devastating 18-second knockout of Mick Terrill. The event was a proof of concept: BKFC could fill an NBA arena.
KnuckleMania VI (February 7, 2026 -- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
BKFC smashed its own record. KnuckleMania VI at Xfinity Mobile Arena drew an astonishing 18,217 fans, surpassing the previous year's mark. The main event featured former UFC heavyweight Andrei Arlovski defeating Ben Rothwell via third-round KO to claim the BKFC heavyweight championship. The event also saw Lorenzo Hunt defend his light heavyweight title against David Mundell. KnuckleMania VI was the definitive statement: bare knuckle fighting is not a fad. It is here to stay.
Business and Growth
Revenue and Financial Trajectory
BKFC's growth story reads like something out of a Silicon Valley pitch deck. Revenue has doubled year over year since the promotion's founding in 2018, with 2024 marking an estimated 150% revenue increase and projections for 200% growth in 2025. The promotion's revenue streams include live event ticket sales, domestic and international broadcast rights fees, sponsorships, the BKFC streaming app, and merchandise.
As of 2024, BKFC was valued at approximately $400 million -- a staggering figure for a promotion that did not exist seven years earlier. CEO David Feldman has stated the company is approaching profitability, with the path to the black running through continued global expansion and broadcast deals.
Attendance Records
The numbers tell the story of a promotion that is packing venues at an accelerating rate. From small clubs and casino ballrooms in the early days, BKFC has graduated to NBA-sized arenas:
- 2024: 100% increase in overall attendance year-over-year
- KnuckleMania V (January 2025): 17,762 fans at Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
- KnuckleMania VI (February 2026): 18,217 fans at Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia
Global Expansion
BKFC is no longer an American promotion. It is a global franchise operating in 60+ countries:
- BKFC UK: Formed in September 2022 through the acquisition of the Bare Fist Boxing Association. Thirteen events held in the UK, making it one of BKFC's strongest markets.
- BKFC Thailand: Launched in 2021 as the promotion's first Asian venture. Ceased operations in mid-2024.
- BKFC Lethwei: Announced in 2025 after McGregor and Feldman acquired majority shares in an Asian Lethwei promotion. Led by former BKFC Thailand CEO Nick Chapman. Renamed Lethwei Fighting Championship via fan vote in January 2026.
- BKFC Australia: Historic debut scheduled for July 19, 2025, at RAC Arena in Perth.
- European expansion: Continued growth with events in the UK, Italy, and Spain.
Social Media and Digital Reach
BKFC has built a formidable digital presence:
- Instagram: 2 million+ followers
- Social media reach: 250 million+ impressions in 2024
- BKFC App: Dedicated streaming platform with event replays and original content
The $25 Million World's Baddest Man Tournament
The single largest investment in bare knuckle fighting history. Announced in July 2025, this tournament features 32 fighters competing in an open-weight format (185-265+ lbs) for a total prize pool of $25 million:
- Winner: $15 million
- Runner-up: $1 million
- Third and fourth place: $500,000+ each
The tournament began in March 2026 in Los Angeles and will travel globally before culminating in a grand finale in the Middle East in March 2027. Conor McGregor will host an accompanying docu-series, bringing mainstream entertainment production values to the bare knuckle world.
Fighter Equity Program
In a move that has no precedent in combat sports, BKFC announced in 2025 that its champions and long-tenured fighters would be offered equity stakes in the promotion, valued at $100,000 to $3 million. This program directly addresses one of the most contentious issues in combat sports -- fighter compensation and ownership -- and positions BKFC as a progressive leader in an industry that has historically treated its athletes as independent contractors with no stake in the business they build.
How to Watch
BKFC offers multiple viewing options depending on the event and your location:
BKFC App
The primary platform for BKFC content. Available on iOS and Android.
- Subscription: $7.99/month
- Includes: All event replays, most live events, exclusive original content, and behind-the-scenes footage
DAZN
Select marquee BKFC events are broadcast exclusively on DAZN, the global sports streaming platform.
- Standard subscription: $19.99/month
- BKFC fan offer: $12.99/month (new U.S. customers)
- Monthly with trial: 7-day free trial, then $29.99/month
Note: A standard BKFC app subscription does not include access to BKFC on DAZN events. A separate DAZN subscription is required for those cards.
TrillerTV
BKFC events are also available through TrillerTV (formerly FITE TV), which offers individual event purchases and replay access.
Social Media
BKFC regularly posts free highlight clips, knockouts, and promotional content on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.
How to Join
Fighter Requirements
BKFC is a professional promotion. Only established professionals in boxing, MMA, kickboxing, or Muay Thai are eligible to compete. This is not a walk-in operation -- you need a verifiable combat sports background to step into the BKFC squared circle.
Open Tryouts
BKFC holds open tryouts in cities across the United States. Tryout sessions rotate geographically, and the schedule is updated on the BKFC website.
To sign up:
- Visit bkfc.com/tryouts
- Fill out the fighter inquiry form with your combat sports experience, record, and contact information
- BKFC's management team will contact you when a tryout session is scheduled in your area
- On-site registration is also available at tryout events, typically opening at 1:00 PM
BKFC Prospects Series
For fighters who impress at open tryouts or who come in with strong amateur credentials, the BKFC Prospects Series is the pathway to a professional contract. Fighters on the Prospects Series compete in front of BKFC President David Feldman and his matchmaking team for a chance to earn a spot on the professional roster.
The Prospects Series draws from:
- Open tryout standouts
- Athletes with professional or high-level amateur backgrounds in boxing, MMA, Muay Thai, or kickboxing
- Fighters with existing bare knuckle experience from other promotions
What to Expect
If you make it through the tryout process and onto the BKFC roster, be prepared for a professional operation. BKFC provides pre-fight medicals, ringside physicians, and regulatory oversight from state athletic commissions. The promotion works under the Unified Rules of Bare Knuckle Fighting approved by the ABC, and all events are sanctioned.
Fighter pay varies by experience and card position. Preliminary card fighters typically earn in the range of $2,500 to $5,000 per fight, while main card fighters and champions can earn significantly more. Top-tier fighters like Mike Perry and Eddie Alvarez have commanded purses of $1 million or more for marquee bouts.
FAQ
Is BKFC legal?
Yes. BKFC operates under the Unified Rules of Bare Knuckle Fighting, approved by the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC). All events are sanctioned by state athletic commissions in the jurisdictions where they are held. BKFC became the first legally sanctioned bare knuckle promotion in the United States since 1889 when it launched in 2018.
Is bare knuckle fighting more dangerous than boxing?
This is one of the most common questions about the sport, and the answer is more nuanced than most people expect. Bare knuckle fighting produces more cuts and facial lacerations than gloved boxing. However, some medical professionals argue that bare knuckle may actually result in fewer traumatic brain injuries than gloved boxing, because fighters throw with less force to protect their unpadded hands, and the absence of heavy gloves means less rotational force on the skull with each impact. That said, the sport carries serious risks, including hand fractures, facial fractures, and significant soft tissue damage.
How much do BKFC fighters get paid?
Fighter pay varies widely. Undercard fighters typically earn between $2,500 and $5,000 per fight. Main card fighters earn more, and champions command the highest purses. Top-tier stars have earned over $1 million for single fights. BKFC's fighter equity program, announced in 2025, also allows long-tenured champions to earn ownership stakes in the promotion valued between $100,000 and $3 million.
Does Conor McGregor own BKFC?
Conor McGregor and his company McGregor Sports and Entertainment hold a minority ownership stake in BKFC, announced at KnuckleMania IV in April 2024. David Feldman remains the founder and president of the promotion. McGregor's involvement has significantly raised the promotion's profile and he plays an active role in strategic initiatives, including the $25 million World's Baddest Man Tournament.
How is BKFC different from BKB or other bare knuckle promotions?
BKFC is the world's largest bare knuckle promotion by roster size, event frequency, and global reach. BKB (Bare Knuckle Boxing) operates primarily in the UK and has a different stylistic identity. Top Dog Fighting Championship is a Russian-based promotion with its own format. BKFC distinguishes itself through its scale, its roster of recognizable fighters from boxing and MMA, its partnership with Conor McGregor, and its sanctioning under the ABC's Unified Rules.
Where is BKFC based?
BKFC is headquartered in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area. The promotion has deep roots in Philly -- founder David Feldman is a lifelong Philadelphia-area resident, and the city has hosted BKFC's flagship KnuckleMania events at major venues including the Wells Fargo Center and Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Can I attend a BKFC event live?
Yes. BKFC events are open to the public and tickets are available through Ticketmaster and the BKFC website. Events are held throughout the United States and internationally, with venues ranging from intimate casino ballrooms to NBA-sized arenas.
What is the World's Baddest Man Tournament?
The World's Baddest Man Tournament is BKFC's $25 million open-weight tournament, featuring 32 fighters from 185 to 265+ pounds competing over approximately one year. It kicked off in March 2026 and will conclude with a grand finale in the Middle East in March 2027. The winner takes home $15 million -- the largest individual prize in bare knuckle fighting history. Conor McGregor hosts an accompanying docu-series chronicling the tournament.