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Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship United Kingdom (BKFC UK) is the British branch of the American
BKFC UK hosts its matches in a distinctive circular four-rope ring, colloquially known as the "Squared Circle." The Squared Circle uniquely features two scratch lines, placed three feet apart at the center, a nod to the historic Broughton Rules (particularly the
bare-knuckle boxing
Bare-knuckle boxing (also known as bare-knuckle or bare-knuckle fighting) is a full-contact combat sport based on punching without any form of padding on the hands. The sport as it is known today originated in 17th-century England and, although ...
promotion Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
The Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) is an American bare-knuckle boxing promotion based in Philadelphia. The promotion was founded in April 2018, and is presided over by David Feldman.
BKFC is the first promotion to hold an official st ...
(BKFC). In September 2022, it was announced that Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship had formed Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship UK (BKFC UK) by acquiring the UK-based Bare Fist Boxing Association (BFBA). As of August 2024, BKFC UK has held 8 events, all of which have taken place in England.
History
The United Kingdom is a significant market for modern bare-knuckle boxing, hosting prominent promotions such as ''Bare Knuckle Boxing (BKB™)'' inCoventry
Coventry ( or rarely ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands (county), West Midlands county, in England, on the River Sherbourne. Coventry had been a large settlement for centurie ...
, ''Bad To The Bone (BTTB)'' in Stoke-on-Trent
Stoke-on-Trent (often abbreviated to Stoke) is a city and Unitary authorities of England, unitary authority area in Staffordshire, England. It has an estimated population of 259,965 as of 2022, making it the largest settlement in Staffordshire ...
, and ''Ultimate Bare Knuckle Boxing (UBKB)'' in Warrington
Warrington () is an industrial town in the Borough of Warrington, borough of the same name in Cheshire, England. The town sits on the banks of the River Mersey and was Historic counties of England, historically part of Lancashire. It is east o ...
.
Before acquiring the Bare Fist Boxing Association and officially establishing BKFC UK, Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship made its debut in the United Kingdom with BKFC 27: London, which took place on 20 August 2022. The event was headlined by MMA veterans Mike Perry and Michael Page
Michael Jerome Reece-Pagewkaassociation.com, Retrieved 28 August 2017. (born 7 April 1987), known as Michael "Venom" Page or MVP, is an English professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Welterweight and Middleweight divi ...
.
Ring
BKFC UK hosts its matches in a distinctive circular four-rope ring, colloquially known as the "Squared Circle." The Squared Circle uniquely features two scratch lines, placed three feet apart at the center, a nod to the historic Broughton Rules (particularly the London Prize Ring Rules
The London Prize Ring Rules were a list of boxing rules published in 1838 and revised in 1853. These rules were based on those drafted by England's Jack Broughton in 1743 (known as the Broughton Rules) and governed the conduct of prizefighting ...
) that once governed 19th-century bare-knuckle fighting. A key rule mandates that fighters begin each round with their front foot on these scratch lines, a stance commonly referred to as "Toe the Line." This directive, coupled with the subsequent command "Knuckle Up," signals the start of each round. The ring’s design, including these traditional elements, not only pays homage to the sport's heritage but also significantly enhances its appeal within the realm of bare-knuckle boxing.
First event
The inaugural BKFC UK event, '' BKFC Fight Night: Newcastle'', was scheduled for 26 November 2022 inNewcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne, or simply Newcastle ( , Received Pronunciation, RP: ), is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city and metropolitan borough in Tyne and Wear, England. It is England's northernmost metropolitan borough, located o ...
. The main event featured a BKFC heavyweight title eliminator between Mick Terrill of Newcastle and Thailand-based American fighter Steve ‘Panda’ Banks. The card also showcased notable matches such as Darren Hendry vs Anthony Holmes and Danny Christie vs Darren Godfrey Jr. Melanie Shah also made history when she faced Sweden's Mathilda Wilson at the event by becoming both the first British female BKFC fighter and first female Muslim bare-knuckle boxer.
Events
BKFC UK 1 - BKFC Fight Night: Newcastle
''BKFC Fight Night: Newcastle'' was abare-knuckle fighting
Bare-knuckle boxing (also known as bare-knuckle or bare-knuckle fighting) is a full-contact combat sport based on punching without any form of padding on the hands. The sport as it is known today originated in 17th-century England and, although s ...
event held by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship on 26 November 2022 in Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne, or simply Newcastle ( , Received Pronunciation, RP: ), is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city and metropolitan borough in Tyne and Wear, England. It is England's northernmost metropolitan borough, located o ...
, England
England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...
.
Background
BKFC UK 1 took place on 26 November 2022 at The Walker Activity Dome in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, drawing a full house of 1,700 spectators. The event featured a 10-fight card, with the initial three bouts streamed live on YouTube and the subsequent main card bouts available on the BKFC App. In the main event, local contender Mick Terrill faced Steve 'Panda' Banks in a BKFC Heavyweight title eliminator. Terrill was declared the winner after Banks was deemed unable to continue by the ringside doctor due to severe cuts around his eyes. The co-main event featured Darren Hendry and Anthony Holmes vying for the inaugural BKFC UK Cruiserweight title. Holmes clinched the knockout victory in the fourth round following a powerful strike to Hendry's nose. The event was also notable for the debut of Melanie Shah, the UK's first female Muslim fighter, who secured a split decision win against Sweden's Mathilda Wilson.Results
BKFC UK 2 - BKFC 37: Tierney vs. Lindsey
''Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 37: Tierney vs. Lindsey'' was abare-knuckle fighting
Bare-knuckle boxing (also known as bare-knuckle or bare-knuckle fighting) is a full-contact combat sport based on punching without any form of padding on the hands. The sport as it is known today originated in 17th-century England and, although s ...
event held by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship on 4 March 2023, at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre
The National Sports Centre at Crystal Palace, London, Crystal Palace in south London, England is a large sports centre and outdoor Sport of athletics, athletics stadium. It was opened in 1964 in Crystal Palace Park, close to the site of the for ...
in London
London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...
, England.
Background
The event was headlined by a bout between Connor Tierney and Jake Lindsey.Results
BKFC UK 3 - BKFC 40: Holmes vs. Christie
''Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 40: Holmes vs. Christie'' was abare-knuckle fighting
Bare-knuckle boxing (also known as bare-knuckle or bare-knuckle fighting) is a full-contact combat sport based on punching without any form of padding on the hands. The sport as it is known today originated in 17th-century England and, although s ...
event held by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship on 22 April 2023.
Background
The event was initially scheduled to be headlined by welterweight bout between Elvin Brito and Jamie Cox, but the bout was cancelled after Cox withdrew.Results
BKFC UK 4 - BKFC 46: Newcastle
''Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 46: Newcastle'' was abare-knuckle fighting
Bare-knuckle boxing (also known as bare-knuckle or bare-knuckle fighting) is a full-contact combat sport based on punching without any form of padding on the hands. The sport as it is known today originated in 17th-century England and, although s ...
event held by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship on 1 July 2023.
Results
BKFC UK 5 - BKFC 55: Leeds
''Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 55: Leeds'' was abare-knuckle fighting
Bare-knuckle boxing (also known as bare-knuckle or bare-knuckle fighting) is a full-contact combat sport based on punching without any form of padding on the hands. The sport as it is known today originated in 17th-century England and, although s ...
event held by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship on 19 November 2023.
Results
BKFC UK 6 - BKFC 60: Milton Keynes
''BKFC 60 Milton Keynes: Lilley vs. Tenaglia'' was abare-knuckle fighting
Bare-knuckle boxing (also known as bare-knuckle or bare-knuckle fighting) is a full-contact combat sport based on punching without any form of padding on the hands. The sport as it is known today originated in 17th-century England and, although s ...
event held by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship on 6 April 2024.
Background
The event featured three title fights and was headlined by James Lilley against Franco Tenaglia for the first ever BKFC Lightweight European Championship. BKFC UK Light Heavyweight Champion Danny Christie defended his title against David Round. Gary Fox faced Ellis Shephard for the vacant BKFC UK Featherweight Championship.Results
BKFC UK 7 - BKFC Fight Night Prospects: Newcastle
''BKFC Fight Night Prospects: Newcastle'' is abare-knuckle fighting
Bare-knuckle boxing (also known as bare-knuckle or bare-knuckle fighting) is a full-contact combat sport based on punching without any form of padding on the hands. The sport as it is known today originated in 17th-century England and, although s ...
event held by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship on June 8, 2024.
Background
The event was headlined by Paul Venis against formerWorld Sambo Championships
The World Sambo Championships are the main championships in Sambo and Combat Sambo, organized by the Fédération Internationale de Sambo (FIAS).
History
The first World Sambo Cup took place in 1977 in Oviedo, Spain. Two years later, the firs ...
silver medalist Stanov Tabakov.
Results
BKFC UK 8 - BKFC 64 Coventry: Tierney vs. Graham
''BKFC 64 Coventry: Tierney vs. Graham'' was abare-knuckle fighting
Bare-knuckle boxing (also known as bare-knuckle or bare-knuckle fighting) is a full-contact combat sport based on punching without any form of padding on the hands. The sport as it is known today originated in 17th-century England and, although s ...
event held by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship on August 10, 2024.
Background
The event was headlined by Conor Tierney against Jonny Graham for the inaugural UK BKFC Welterweight Championship.Results
List of current champions
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship UK (BKFC UK)
See also
*Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
The Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) is an American bare-knuckle boxing promotion based in Philadelphia. The promotion was founded in April 2018, and is presided over by David Feldman.
BKFC is the first promotion to hold an official st ...
* Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Thailand
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Thailand (BKFC Thailand), officially known as Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Asia (BKFC Asia), was a bare-knuckle boxing promotion based in Pattaya, Thailand. It is the officially licensed branch of Bare Knu ...
* Bare Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame
The Bare Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame is a museum and hall of fame in Belfast, New York, dedicated to the sport of bare-knuckle boxing. It is housed in barns that were once owned by the Greco-Roman wrestling champion and physical culture pioneer ...
* BYB Extreme
* Chivarreto boxing
* Lethwei
Lethwei (; International Phonetic Alphabet, IPA: ) or Burmese boxing is a Full contact fighting, full contact combat sport originating from Myanmar and is considered as one of the most brutal martial arts in the world.}
*
*
*
*
*
* Lethwe ...
* List of bare-knuckle lightweight champions
:''See also'' List of bare-knuckle boxers
List of bare-knuckle lightweight champions is a chronological from England and the United States. In some cases, the champions and their reigns can be disputed. The purpose of this list is an attempt to ...
* London Prize Ring rules
The London Prize Ring Rules were a list of boxing rules published in 1838 and revised in 1853. These rules were based on those drafted by England's Jack Broughton in 1743 (known as the Broughton Rules) and governed the conduct of prizefighting ...
* Russian boxing
Russian boxing () is the traditional bare-knuckle boxing of Rus' and then Russia. Boxers will often train by punching buckets of sand to strengthen bones, and prepare minutes before the fights.
History
The earliest accounts concerning the sport ...
References
{{Reflist Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Bare-knuckle boxing promotion companies