BKFC

[MasterG]

Is this going to take off big?

Just seen that Kenzie Morrison has joined bare knuckle outfit. What other pro or ex pro boxers have been tempted by Conor McGregor's combat sport.

[margaret thatcher]

no, its been around a while now and had bigger 'stars' than kenzie morrison try it

[gilgamesh]

It seems to be attract a more trashy element of both competitors and fans. Like it's just bloody, and brutal with lower tier fighters being the only ones really getting involved. It seems like bloody violence just for violence sake.

It does seem to result in an entirely different style of fight. The fact that Dirty Boxing is allowed means a guy that has only been experienced in MMA can get in there with a boxer and do just as well if he can beat him up in the clinches.

[JamesPhilips]

It seems to be attract a more trashy element of both competitors and fans. Like it's just bloody, and brutal with lower tier fighters being the only ones really getting involved. It seems like bloody violence just for violence sake.

It does seem to result in an entirely different style of fight. The fact that Dirty Boxing is allowed means a guy that has only been experienced in MMA can get in there with a boxer and do just as well if he can beat him up in the clinches.

What’s dirty boxing? Holding and hitting?

[gilgamesh]

It seems to be attract a more trashy element of both competitors and fans. Like it's just bloody, and brutal with lower tier fighters being the only ones really getting involved. It seems like bloody violence just for violence sake.

It does seem to result in an entirely different style of fight. The fact that Dirty Boxing is allowed means a guy that has only been experienced in MMA can get in there with a boxer and do just as well if he can beat him up in the clinches.

What’s dirty boxing? Holding and hitting?

Yeah. Like grabbing a guy by the back of the head, and holding him in place with your left hand while pounding the sh*t out of him with your right.

[JamesPhilips]

It seems to be attract a more trashy element of both competitors and fans. Like it's just bloody, and brutal with lower tier fighters being the only ones really getting involved. It seems like bloody violence just for violence sake.

It does seem to result in an entirely different style of fight. The fact that Dirty Boxing is allowed means a guy that has only been experienced in MMA can get in there with a boxer and do just as well if he can beat him up in the clinches.

What’s dirty boxing? Holding and hitting?

Yeah. Like grabbing a guy by the back of the head, and holding him in place with your left hand while pounding the sh*t out of him with your right.

Yeah I think that works for bare knuckle.

[JamesPhilips]

Just watching Manchester BKFC. It’s brutal. Loads of ex pros too. Dec Spelman one I recognise. One guy (Danny Moir?) is 53 and got flattened. Stevie Taylor ex pro just got frighteningly flattened by another ex pro Conor Cooke in a round.

It’s bloody violent. Austin Trout does bareknuckle too. Jack Cullen who Kod Mark Heffron on now. Michael Jennings is in his corner. What are the paydays like? It’s full of ex pros

EDIT - commentator just introduced Cullen as ex IBF intercontinental champion…. Forgot he was British and Commonwealth champ lol

[SeanBrennan]

Just watching Manchester BKFC. It’s brutal. Loads of ex pros too. Dec Spelman one I recognise. One guy (Danny Moir?) is 53 and got flattened. Stevie Taylor ex pro just got frighteningly flattened by another ex pro Conor Cooke in a round.

It’s bloody violent. Austin Trout does bareknuckle too. Jack Cullen who Kod Mark Heffron on now. Michael Jennings is in his corner. What are the paydays like? It’s full of ex pros

EDIT - commentator just introduced Cullen as ex IBF intercontinental champion…. Forgot he was British and Commonwealth champ lol

I know Dec, followed him when he turned pro and watched him a few times in boxing, stopped Carl Wild very well, only retired due to brain scan. This latter part makes me worry as he is now fighting BKFC. BKFC has some decent money now with Feldman and co. Lad from my town Ricardo Franco challenged Trout for the world title and just won the (inaugural) European title, ironically trained by Dec Spelman. I enjoy watching it although we are spoiled as our tiny town has one of the world's best (Gainsborough) and my home town up the road (Scunthorpe) has Dec

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

Bare Knuckle Boxing sign Vicious former world champion

BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing, the world’s leading and fastest-growing professional bare knuckle organization, today announced the landmark signing of boxing legend Victor Ortiz (33-7-3) in a multi-fight, multi-year agreement.

The former WBC welterweight world champion and crossover star from Dancing With The Stars, Sylvester Stallone’s Expendables, and Hawaii Five-0 will bring his explosive power, championship pedigree, and fan-favorite charisma to the bare knuckle trigon, making his highly anticipated debut in the coming months as he targets BKB world championship glory.

This landmark signing underscores the surging momentum of BKB, which continues to draw decorated gloved boxers and stage high-stakes, action-packed events.

The Bare Knuckle Boxing promotion has welcomed stars like Olympic gold medalist and former multi-weight world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa and former world champion Lee Selby to the bare knuckle ranks, while Paulie Malignaggi enjoyed a hugely successful transition, delivering a thrilling Fight of the Night performance in his return at BKB 47 against Tyler Goodjohn.

Building on that excitement, Malignaggi is now set to challenge reigning champion Rolando Dy for the BKB Super Welterweight World Championship in Manchester on Saturday, May 16, 2026, further elevating BKB’s rising profile, expanding roster of elite talent, and relentless progression as one of the most disruptive forces in combat sports.

Victor Ortiz, known as “Vicious,” captured the WBC welterweight title in 2011 with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Andre Berto and successfully challenged the elite at 147 pounds, including his memorable showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr. His professional career from 2004 to 2022 produced an impressive record of 33 wins (25 by KO), 7 losses, and 3 draws, cementing his status as one of America’s most exciting and accomplished fighters. Beyond the ring, Ortiz gained widespread popularity as a contestant on Dancing With The Stars, and appearances on the big and small screens allowing him to transcend the sport, showcasing his athleticism, personality, and talent to a broader audience.

Ortiz’s move to BKB is driven by his respect for the promotion’s explosive growth, top-tier production, and the unforgiving intensity of bare knuckle competition. Ready to unleash his aggressive style without gloves, he sees BKB as the ideal stage to add a new chapter to his legacy in the rawest form of boxing.

Former WBC World Champion, Victor Ortiz, said: “I’ve accomplished so much in gloved boxing – from winning a world title to battling the best in the world. Now, bare knuckle is the next challenge. It’s the purest, most intense version of the sport, and I’m pumped to bring my power, heart, and experience to BKB. I’m coming to win another world title and prove I’ve still got it. All glory to Jesus Christ.”

Mike Vazquez, Founder of BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing, said: “Victor Ortiz is a true legend with a world-class resume and star power that transcends boxing. We’re thrilled to welcome him to our roster. His knockout power and championship drive will electrify the trigon. With fighters like Gamboa and Malignaggi paving the way for elite crossovers, Victor’s signing proves BKB is the destination for icons chasing new greatness.”

David Tetreault, CEO of BKB Bare Knuckle, said: “I’ve known Victor since my days running the table at Golden Boy. Victor Ortiz is a massive coup for our organization. His world title experience, devastating power, and crossover appeal make this an incredible addition. We’re excited to see him pursue bare knuckle dominance alongside our expanding lineup of world-class fighters. Bringing a fighter of Victor’s calibre to BKB shows just why we are the leading force right now in Bare Knuckle Boxing.”

Ortiz joins an elite and rapidly growing roster of more than 200 fighters from over 30 countries, highlighting BKB’s magnetic pull for boxing’s biggest names seeking the ultimate test in the most primal combat sport. More major announcements are coming as BKB maintains its meteoric rise.

From its origins in 2015 as BYB Extreme Fighting Series, founded by MMA pioneer Dhafir “Dada 5000” Harris and Mike Vazquez, BKB has transformed bare knuckle boxing into a regulated, globally broadcast powerhouse through strategic acquisitions, including the original UK-based BKB in 2021 and Bad To The Bone in 2025, and a fighter-first philosophy that emphasizes athlete welfare and opportunity. Landmark broadcast partnerships with talkSPORT (UK and Ireland), VICE (US and Canada), and Telemundo (Spanish-language in the US) have delivered live events to millions worldwide.

Details on Ortiz’s debut fight and upcoming events will be announced soon. Fans can visit www.bkbbareknuckle.com and follow @bkbbareknuckle for the latest news and information.

[Expug]

That Dada 5000 guy who founded that organization is the same guy that fought kimbo Slice in an mma fight years ago. Probably the worst fight in the history of fights. “ mma Pioneer “.

[Ruthless-RKO]

John Molina Jr. becomes latest boxing star to sign with BKB

John Molina Jr. joins BKB
BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing, the world’s leading and fastest-growing professional bare knuckle organization, today announced the signing of fan-favorite power-puncher John Molina Jr. (30-9, 24 KOs) in a multi-fight, multi-year agreement.

The hard-hitting former world title challenger, nicknamed “The Gladiator,” will bring his relentless aggression, knockout power, and proven warrior spirit to the bare knuckle trigon, making his highly anticipated debut in the coming months as he targets BKB world championship glory.

This landmark signing further highlights the unstoppable momentum of BKB, which continues to attract decorated gloved boxers and deliver high-stakes, action-packed events. The promotion has welcomed stars like Olympic gold medalist and former multi-weight world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa, and former world champions Victor Ortiz and Lee Selby to the bare knuckle ranks, whilst former gloved world champion Paulie Malignaggi is currently preparing to become a two-sport world champion as he faces reigning BKB super welterweight world champion in Manchester on Saturday 16th May 2026.

Molina Jr., a standout at super lightweight and welterweight, compiled an impressive professional record of 30 wins (24 by KO), 9 losses over a career spanning 2006 to 2019. He challenged for major world titles and shared the ring with elite opponents including Adrien Broner, Terence Crawford, Ruslan Provodnikov, and others, earning a reputation as one of boxing’s most entertaining and courageous fighters. Known for his all-action style and willingness to go to war, Molina retired in 2019 after a decorated run and transitioned to a proud career in law enforcement.

Now actively serving as a police officer, Molina’s return to fighting is fueled by an enduring love for competition, the itch to compete again, and the perfect fit of bare knuckle’s raw intensity with his no-retreat approach. After years away from the ring, he sees BKB as the ideal platform to scratch that itch, chase a new legacy, and potentially cross paths with fellow PBC alumni like Paulie Malignaggi and Victor Ortiz.

John Molina Jr. said: “I had a great career, being a fighter for 13 years professionally, and I didn’t wanna be one of these guys that accomplished all these accolades in boxing and then was, ‘What else do I do with myself?’ So I went out and became a cop, which was a great choice. I wanted a career I can be proud of. Being a cop, our fight or flight is second to none, and there’s a lot of reactions that need to be made and that’s right up my alley.”

“I’m at the age where it’s kind of like, excuse my language, but s***, or get off the pot kind of moment for me. This is the time and I feel young enough to still do it and anxious to get out there and showcase my abilities. You know, to be honest with you, if this would’ve happened when I was early on in my career, who’s to say I wouldn’t go bare knuckle given and – with the triangular ring? Not very much room to dance.”

“We’re gonna get right to business. So it works out perfect. It lends itself perfectly to someone with my style. And then when I started seeing other names like Paulie and Victor, who we were together under the same banner of PBC, I think it’s gonna be a good fit for all of us to get out there and showcase our abilities.”

“My legacy is to be a champion in the sport of bare knuckle boxing and for people to say, ‘Hey,he fought the best of the best and was considered one of the most entertaining fighters in the world during his era of fighting.’ Now I’m gonna take it over to bare knuckle boxing to be a champion in my respective weight class. And who knows? Maybe we crossed the bridge with Paulie. Maybe we cross the bridge with Victor. I think that can be explosive. But first things first, let’s get to the first one and get onto the next. If you guys ever seen my fights in the past, you guys will definitely see I’m ready to go to war. I like it. That’s what we expect.”

Mike Vazquez, Founder of BKB Bare Knuckle, said: “John Molina Jr. is a true warrior with an incredible resume of battles against the best and a fan-favorite style that always delivers excitement. We’re thrilled to have him join our roster. His power, heart, and no-fear mentality will be electric in the trigon.”

David Tetreault, CEO of BKB Bare Knuckle, said: “Adding John Molina Jr. to our lineup is a statement signing. His history of thrilling, high-octane wars against top competition, combined with his knockout power and unbreakable will, makes him a perfect fit for bare knuckle. We’re looking forward to seeing ‘The Gladiator’ bring that same intensity to the trigon in an exciting new chapter for him and for BKB.”

Molina joins an elite and rapidly growing roster of more than 200 fighters from over 30 countries, highlighting BKB’s magnetic pull for boxing’s biggest names seeking the ultimate test in the most primal combat sport. More major announcements are on the horizon as BKB maintains its meteoric rise.

From its origins in 2015 as BYB Extreme Fighting Series, founded by MMA pioneer Dhafir “Dada 5000” Harris and Mike Vazquez, BKB has transformed bare knuckle boxing into a regulated, globally broadcast powerhouse through strategic acquisitions—including the original UK-based BKB in 2021 and Bad To The Bone in 2025—and a fighter-first philosophy that emphasizes athlete welfare and opportunity. Landmark broadcast partnerships with talkSPORT (UK and Ireland), VICE (US and Canada), and Telemundo (Spanish-language in the US) have delivered live events to millions worldwide.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

https://britishboxingnews.co.uk/news/li ... pro-debut/

[Ruthless-RKO]

Former UFC fighter Darren Till to face Aaron Chalmers in BKFC debut

Former UFC fighter Darren Till will face Aaron Chalmers in his debut fight with the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.

The BKFC 90 event will be held on May 30 inside Birmingham, England's Utilita Arena.

Till recently signed with the promotion, of which UFC icon Conor McGregor is a part owner. It came after he left Misfits Boxing, where he had three fights -- in which he won all three including a KO victory over former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold.

"I have to just say, the reason Bare Knuckle happened is because I couldn't turn down the offer," Till said to Yahoo Sports on Tuesday.

"It was irrefusable. ... It excited me. It got me juices flowing. It's a tough old sport from what I've been watching.

It is tough. These guys, they're not your traditional martial artists. They're all just very gritty, hard-punching guys. So, you've got to come in here with a different type of mentality, which we will be doing."

Prior to the boxing transition, Till was in the UFC but ended up losing five of his final six UFC bouts before leaving the promotion in 2023.

His opponent in BKFC, Chalmers, is a former Reality TV star having appeared in the popular Geordie Shore and Ex on the Beach shows. Chalmer has fought across a variety of promotions including BAMMA and Bellator.

In January 2023 he took on Floyd Mayweather Jr. in an exhibition boxing match which ended without an official verdict as there was no scoring. His last fight in BKFC was against Chas Symonds back in April 2025, in which Chalmers won via TKO.

[Ruthless-RKO]

More ex-boxers, like Lee Selby and Victor Ortiz, make the switch to Bare Knuckle Boxing

Bare Knuckle Boxing’s push to sign name boxers and connect with a wider audience shines in this week's summer schedule announcement.

With cards topped by former world champions Lee Selby and Victor Ortiz along with another headed by two sons of former world-champion Fernando Vargas, BKB unveiled four shows.

Selby, the former IBF featherweight champion, is atop a June 27 card in his native Wales versus Italy’s Antonio Rizzo in Cardiff, Wales.

Former welterweight champion Ortiz is atop the July 18 card at The Novo in Los Angeles on a card that includes former Canelo Alvarez title challenger Alfredo Angulo, and bare-knuckle standout LT Nelson.

The Vargas brothers – Fernando Jnr and Amado – will anchor the July 25 card at London’s O2 Arena in an anticipated event that features former BKB heavyweight champion Mick Terrill.

And then, Cuba’s former Olympic gold medalist Yuriorkis Gamboa, who once met Terence Crawford, will be in the main event of BKB’s August 29 show in Miami.

“This summer showcases the depth, quality, and international reach of our roster. BKB continues to set the standard as the leading force in the sport,” BKB CEO David Tetreault said in a prepared statement.

New BKB COO William Wright told BS that in addition to the debut Los Angeles card, BKB is poised to add more boxing talent to the cast.

Wright said the global push by BKB is similar to the track he and Tetreault cleared for Golden Boy Promotions when Oscar De La Hoya’s company had Canelo Alvarez and Ryan Garcia in its stable.

By adding prime and veteran talent to this stable and attracting fans with its alternate boxing style, BKB aspires to take a “transformative step” in appealing to a wider fan base, Wright said.

[Ruthless-RKO]