What Happened to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC)?
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) is the world's leading bare-knuckle boxing promotion, founded in 2018 by David Feldman. It rapidly gained legitimacy by becoming the first organization to hold sanctioned bare-knuckle events in the U.S. since 1889, and has since expanded globally, attracting major combat sports stars and securing significant investments, including a minority stake from Conor McGregor. As of August 2026, BKFC continues its aggressive international expansion and hosts frequent events worldwide.
Quick Answer
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) has evolved from a pioneering startup in 2018 into the world's largest and most prominent bare-knuckle boxing promotion. It is currently thriving, holding numerous events across multiple continents in 2026, including a significant three-continent expansion in July. With part-ownership from Conor McGregor and plans for a $25 million 'World's Baddest Man Tournament' starting in 2026, BKFC is actively expanding its global footprint and mainstream recognition, featuring a roster of both established and rising combat sports athletes.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Founded
David Feldman establishes Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) in Philadelphia, aiming to bring legal bare-knuckle boxing back to the U.S.
First Sanctioned Event in Modern U.S. History
BKFC holds its inaugural event in Cheyenne, Wyoming, becoming the first legally sanctioned bare-knuckle boxing promotion in the United States since 1889.
TrillerNet Acquires Majority Stake in BKFC
TrillerNet, a global AI-powered social media and music platform, acquires a majority stake in BKFC, signaling increased investment and broader reach for the promotion.
BKFC Debuts in the United Kingdom
BKFC holds its first event in the UK, BKFC 27: London, headlined by Mike Perry and Michael Page, marking a significant step in its international expansion.
BKFC Thailand 5: Legends of Siam Features Buakaw vs. Saenchai
BKFC Thailand hosts a special rules Bare Knuckle Thai bout between Muay Thai legends Buakaw Banchamek and Saenchai, showcasing the promotion's diverse offerings.
Conor McGregor Becomes Part-Owner of BKFC
At KnuckleMania IV, UFC superstar Conor McGregor announces his company, McGregor Sports and Entertainment, has acquired a minority ownership stake in BKFC, significantly boosting its profile.
KnuckleMania V Sets Attendance Record
BKFC KnuckleMania V at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia draws 17,762 fans, setting a modern-day attendance record for combat sports in the city.
Derik Fay Invests in BKFC
Celebrity investor and entrepreneur Derik Fay of 3F Management announces his investment and strategic role in BKFC, joining Conor McGregor in the ownership group.
$25 Million 'World's Baddest Man Tournament' Announced
BKFC unveils plans for a massive $25 million open-weight tournament, featuring 32 fighters and a $15 million prize for the winner, scheduled to begin in March 2026.
KnuckleMania VI Breaks Attendance Record
BKFC KnuckleMania VI at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia draws an astonishing 18,217 fans, surpassing the previous year's record and solidifying bare-knuckle's appeal.
Three-Continent Expansion in July
BKFC successfully stages events on three continents within 22 days: 'Liberty Brawl' in Philadelphia, BKFC 91 in Naples, Italy, and 'Fight Night Uruguay' in Montevideo, marking its first South American card.
Strategic Partnership with Fosun Sports Group
BKFC announces a strategic partnership with Fosun Sports Group to further expand its international footprint, content creation, and fan engagement, targeting markets like the UK and China.
BKFC Fight Night Mohegan Sun: Henry vs. Trinidad-Snake
BKFC hosts a live event at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT, featuring Bryce Henry vs. Carlos Trinidad-Snake, demonstrating its ongoing and active event schedule.
BKFC Debuts in Belgrade, Serbia
BKFC is scheduled to hold its debut event in Belgrade, Serbia, featuring former WBC lightweight world champion Dejan Zlaticanin, continuing its European expansion.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) was founded in April 2018 by Philadelphia boxing promoter David Feldman, marking a historic return for bare-knuckle boxing in the United States. The promotion made history by holding the first officially state-sanctioned bare-knuckle boxing event in the U.S. since 1889, in Cheyenne, Wyoming. This audacious move tapped into a latent demand for raw, authentic combat sports, distinguishing itself from traditional boxing and mixed martial arts.
The early years (2018-2020) saw steady, methodical expansion, with BKFC staging a growing number of events. Paradoxically, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 accelerated its growth, as combat sports fans, seeking live content, discovered the promotion through its streaming platforms. This led to a significant increase in events and revenue year-over-year. A key turning point came in February 2022 when TrillerNet acquired a majority stake in BKFC, further boosting its operational capabilities and reach.
The promotion's trajectory shifted dramatically in April 2024, when UFC superstar Conor McGregor announced his company, McGregor Sports and Entertainment, had acquired a minority ownership stake in BKFC. McGregor's involvement instantly amplified BKFC's global profile and legitimacy, leveraging his massive platform to attract new audiences and mainstream media attention. This was followed by additional investment in January 2025 from celebrity investor Derik Fay of 3F Management, solidifying BKFC's financial backing.
BKFC has demonstrated its ability to draw large crowds, setting modern-day combat sports attendance records in Philadelphia with KnuckleMania V in January 2025 (17,762 fans) and KnuckleMania VI in February 2026 (18,217 fans) at the Xfinity Mobile Arena. In July 2025, BKFC announced its most ambitious project yet: the $25 million 'World's Baddest Man Tournament,' featuring 32 fighters competing for a $15 million grand prize, scheduled to begin in March 2026 and conclude in March 2027.
As of August 2026, BKFC is in a period of aggressive international expansion. In July 2026 alone, the promotion staged events on three continents: 'Liberty Brawl' in Philadelphia, BKFC 91 in Naples, Italy, and 'Fight Night Uruguay' in Montevideo, marking its first South American card and expanding its reach to 13 countries. This global push was further bolstered by a strategic partnership announced on July 29, 2026, with Fosun Sports Group, aimed at deepening cross-sport commercial collaboration and expanding into markets like the UK and China. The promotion continues to attract notable fighters, including former world champions and MMA veterans, and is actively developing homegrown talent.
Today, August 21, 2026, BKFC is hosting 'Fight Night Mohegan Sun: Henry vs. Trinidad-Snake' in Uncasville, CT, demonstrating its continuous event schedule. Upcoming events include BKFC 92 Boston at Fenway Park on August 29, 2026, and international debuts in Belgrade, Serbia, on October 17, 2026, and Glasgow, Scotland, on November 7, 2026. BKFC's revenue has consistently grown, driven by international expansion, McGregor's involvement, rising pay-per-view sales, and new broadcast partnerships, with fighter purses at the top reaching seven figures. The organization is poised for continued growth, aiming for increased profitability and mainstream recognition in 2026 and beyond.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) made different choices?