Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship United Kingdom

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship UK
Company typePrivate
IndustryBare-knuckle boxing promotion
FoundedSeptember 2022
FounderAndrew Bakewell
HeadquartersEngland, United Kingdom
Key people
Andrew Bakewell

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship United Kingdom (BKFC UK) is the British branch of the American bare-knuckle boxing promotion Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (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).[1] 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™) in Coventry, Bad To The Bone (BTTB) in Stoke-on-Trent, and Ultimate Bare Knuckle Boxing (UBKB) in Warrington.

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.[2]

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) 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.[3]

First event

The inaugural BKFC UK event, BKFC Fight Night: Newcastle, was scheduled for 26 November 2022 in Newcastle upon Tyne. 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.[4][5][6][7] 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.[8][9][10]

Events

BKFC UK 1 - BKFC Fight Night: Newcastle

BKFC Fight Night: Newcastle
PromotionBare Knuckle Fighting Championship
Date26 November 2022
VenueWalker Activity Dome
City Newcastle upon Tyne

BKFC Fight Night: Newcastle was a bare-knuckle fighting event held by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship on 26 November 2022 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

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.[11]

Results

BKFC Fight Night: Newcastle
Weight Class Method Round Time Notes
Heavyweight 120 kg Mick Terrill def. Steve Banks TKO 2 2:00 BKFC Heavyweight title eliminator
Cruiserweight 93 kg Anthony Holmes def. Darren Hendry TKO 4 0:29 For the inaugural BKFC UK Cruiserweight Championship
Light heavyweight 84 kg Danny Christie def. Darren Godfrey TKO 1 1:07
Welterweight 75 kg Liam Wilson def. Will Cairns TKO 2 0:54
Light heavyweight 84 kg John Ferguson def. Tom Scott Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00
Heavyweight 120 kg Lee Browne def. Billy Hawthorne TKO 2 0:35
Light heavyweight 84 kg Nathan Owens def. David Round Decision (unanimous) 3 1:05
Lightweight 70 kg Lewis Keen def. Lewy Sherriff TKO 3 1:08
Preliminary Card
W.Flyweight 57 kg Melanie Shah def. Mathilda Wilson Decision (split) 5 2:00
Heavyweight 120 kg Agi Faulkner def. Daniel Robson TKO 1 1:17

BKFC UK 2 - BKFC 37: Tierney vs. Lindsey

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 37: Tierney vs. Lindsey
PromotionBare Knuckle Fighting Championship
Date4 March 2023
VenueCrystal Palace National Sports Centre
City London

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 37: Tierney vs. Lindsey was a bare-knuckle fighting event held by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship on 4 March 2023, at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre in London, England.

Background

The event was headlined by a bout between Connor Tierney and Jake Lindsey.[12]

Results

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 37: Tierney vs. Lindsey
Weight Class Method Round Time Notes
Welterweight 75 kg Jake Lindsey def. Connor Tierney KO 5 1:02
Light Heavyweight 84 kg Rico Franco vs. Darren Godfrey KO 2 0:49
Light Heavyweight 84 kg David Round def. Terry Brazier KO 3 1:28
Cruiserweight 95 kg Mason Shaw def. Lee Browne Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00
Cruiserweight 95 kg Darren Hendry def. Corey Harrison TKO 2 0:58
Light Heavyweight 84 kg Chaz Wasserman def. Cedric Severac Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00
Heavyweight 120 kg Robbie Kennedy def. Jack Draper KO 2 1:35
Welterweight 75 kg Nathan Hind def. Gary Fox Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00
Welterweight 75 kg Ben Bonnar def. Jamie Oldfield KO 3 1:16
Preliminary Card
Lightweight 70 kg Ryan Carmichael def. Will Cairns KO 3 0:35
Light Heavyweight 84 kg Jimmy Millar def. Kyle Cassidy TKO 2 2:00
Middleweight 79 kg George Thorpe def. Jamie Hendry TKO 3 0:54

BKFC UK 3 - BKFC 40: Holmes vs. Christie

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 40: Holmes vs. Christie
PromotionBare Knuckle Fighting Championship
Date22 April 2023
VenuePlanet Ice Leeds
City Leeds, England

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 40: Holmes vs. Christie was a bare-knuckle fighting event held by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship on 22 April 2023.[13]

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

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 40: Holmes vs. Christie
Weight Class Method Round Time Notes
Light Heavyweight 84 kg Danny Christie def. Anthony Holmes KO 4 For the BKFC UK Light Heavyweight Championship.
Welterweight 75 kg Franco Tenaglia def. Luke Nevin KO 4
Welterweight 75 kg Rico Franco def. Axel Birbes KO 2 1:07
Cruiserweight 95 kg Conor Cooke def. Robbie Kennedy KO 4 1:56
Middleweight 79 kg Tom Scott def. Damian Górski KO 4 1:44
Lightweight 70 kg Jonny Graham def. Will Cairns KO 1 1:33
Heavyweight 120 kg Toni Estorer def. Lee Browne Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00
Catchweight 73 kg Morgan Starkey def. Marius Radol KO 1 0:23
Light Heavyweight 84 kg Bart Król def. Ashley Griffiths KO 1 1:04
Heavyweight 120 kg Rob Cunningham def. Wain Morgan KO 2 1:03
Light Heavyweight 84 kg Arron Blakey def. Naff Higson KO 1 0:50

BKFC UK 4 - BKFC 46: Newcastle

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 46: Newcastle
PromotionBare Knuckle Fighting Championship
Date1 July 2023
VenueWalker Activity Dome
City Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 46: Newcastle was a bare-knuckle fighting event held by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship on 1 July 2023.

Results

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 46: Newcastle
Weight Class Method Round Time Notes
Welterweight 75 kg Ricardo Franco def. Kaleb Harris KO 5 0:58
Welterweight 75 kg Robert Barry def. Ben Bonner KO 5 0:11
Welterweight 75 kg Lewis Keen def. Zdeněk Pernica KO 3 0:32
Cruiserweight 95 kg Dawid Oskar def. Matty Hill KO 1 1:44
Welterweight 75 kg Paul Cook def. Aaron Foster KO 1 0:41
Light Heavyweight 84 kg Bart Król def. Sebastian Krautwald Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00
Featherweight 66 kg Gary Fox def. Hayden Sherriff KO 1 0:38
Featherweight 66 kg Patryk Sagan def. Morgan Starkey KO 1 0:49
Preliminary Card
Featherweight 66 kg Robbie Brown def. Ben Hatchett KO 1 1:36
Middleweight 79 kg Arron Blakey def. Krystian Nadolski KO 1 0:38
Cruiserweight 95 kg Karl Thompson def. Dustin Rabiega TKO 3 1:06


BKFC UK 5 - BKFC 55: Leeds

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 55
PromotionBare Knuckle Fighting Championship
Date19 November 2023
VenuePlanet Ice Leeds
City Leeds, England

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 55: Leeds was a bare-knuckle fighting event held by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship on 19 November 2023.

Results

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 55
Weight Class Method Round Time Notes
Light heavyweight 84 kg Jared Warren def. Danny Christie TKO (referee stoppage) 1 1:56
Middleweight 79 kg Bartlomiej Krol def. Anthony Holmes TKO (corner stoppage) 4 2:00
Cruiserweight 93 kg Matty Hodgson def. Mason Shaw TKO (punches) 2 0:29
Light heavyweight 84 kg Danny Mitchell def. John Ferguson Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00
Cruiserweight 93 kg Darren Hendry def. Luke Atkin TKO (punches) 2 0:25
Featherweight 66 kg Gary Fox def. Robbie Brown Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00
Light heavyweight 84 kg Conor Cooke def. Nathan Owens TKO (punches) 3 1:12
Cruiserweight 93 kg Karl Thompson def. Dawid Oskar Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00
Lightweight 70 kg Antonio Moscatiello def. Hynek Hospodarsky KO 1 1:58
Preliminary Card
Welterweight 75 kg Paul Cook def. Luke Nevin Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00
Welterweight 75 kg Jonny Graham def. Abel Radomski TKO (punches) 2 1:40
Heavyweight 120 kg Agi Faulkner def. Rob Cunningham TKO (punches) 1 0:57

BKFC UK 6 - BKFC 60: Milton Keynes

BKFC 60 Milton Keynes: Lilley vs. Tenaglia
PromotionBare Knuckle Fighting Championship
Date6 April 2024
VenuePlanet Ice Arena Milton Keynes
City Milton Keynes, England

BKFC 60 Milton Keynes: Lilley vs. Tenaglia was a bare-knuckle fighting 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.[14]

Results

BKFC 60 Milton Keynes: Lilley vs. Tenaglia[15][16]
Weight Class Method Round Time Notes
Lightweight 70 kg Franco Tenaglia def. James Lilley Decision (majority) 5 2:00 For the inaugural BKFC European Lightweight Championship. Judges' scorecards not read.
Light Heavyweight 84 kg Danny Christie (c) def. David Round TKO 1 1:38 For the BKFC UK Light Heavyweight Championship.
Featherweight 66 kg Ellis Shepherd def. Gary Fox Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00 For the vacant BKFC UK Featherweight Championship. 49-46, 49-46, 49-46.
Light Heavyweight 84 kg Matty Hodgson def. Chaz Wasserman KO 3 1:38
Bantamweight 61 kg Jonno Chipchase def. Robbie Brown TKO (doctor stoppage) 1 2:00
Cruiserweight 93 kg Dawid Oskar def. Conor Cooke KO 1 2:00
Cruiserweight 93 kg Rob Boardman def. Danny McIntosh KO (body shot) 1 1:13
Lightweight 70 kg Ben Bonner def. Ray Putterill KO (left hook) 1 1:08
Preliminary Card[17]
Middleweight 79 kg Toby Bindon def. Marcus Pond TKO 2 1:44
Heavyweight 120 kg Jack Draper def. Bubu TKO 1 1:41
Lightweight 70 kg Bartek Kanabey def. Bakhtyor Kudratov TKO (referee stoppage) 1 0:54

BKFC UK 7 - BKFC Fight Night Prospects: Newcastle

BKFC Fight Night Prospects: Newcastle
PromotionBare Knuckle Fighting Championship
DateJune 8, 2024
VenueWalker Activity Dome
City Newcastle upon Tyne, England

BKFC Fight Night Prospects: Newcastle is a bare-knuckle fighting event held by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship on June 8, 2024.

Background

The event was headlined by Paul Venis against former World Sambo Championships silver medalist Stanov Tabakov.[18][19]

Results

BKFC Fight Night Prospects: Newcastle[20]
Weight Class Method Round Time Notes
Cruiserweight 93 kg Paul Venis def. Stanoy Tabakov TKO 3 0:47
Light Heavyweight 84 kg Pic Jardine def. Bartlomiej Krol TKO 3 0:35
Middleweight 79 kg Danny Christie def. Jimmy Millar Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00 50-44, 49-45, 49-44.
Light Heavyweight 84 kg Danny Moir def. John Ferguson Decision (split) 5 2:00 Judges' scorecards not read.
Lightweight 70 kg Jack Culshaw def. Bartek Kanabey TKO 3 1:35
Bantamweight 61 kg Cameron Hardy def. Bryan Creighton KO 5 0:43
Cruiserweight 93 kg Stevie Taylor def. Jakub Kosicki TKO 4 1:51
Bantamweight 61 kg Bradley Taylor def. Dan Mohammed TKO 1 0:43
Heavyweight 120 kg Gary Slator def. Rob Cunningham TKO (punches) 1 0:56
Welterweight 75 kg Luke Beamish def. Will Rochester Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00 Judges' scorecards not read.
Welterweight 75 kg Ryan Sanson def. Jeremy Waltron Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00 Judges' scorecards not read.

BKFC UK 8 - BKFC 64 Coventry: Tierney vs. Graham

BKFC 64 Coventry: Tierney vs. Graham
PromotionBare Knuckle Fighting Championship
DateAugust 10, 2024
VenueCoventry Skydome
City Coventry, England

BKFC 64 Coventry: Tierney vs. Graham was a bare-knuckle fighting 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.[21]

Results

BKFC 64 Coventry: Tierney vs. Graham[22]
Weight Class Method Round Time Notes
Welterweight 75 kg Connor Tierney def. Jonny Graham Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00 For the inaugural UK BKFC Welterweight Championship. 48-45, 48-46, 48-45.
Lightweight 70 kg Jonno Chipchase def. Toby Bindon TKO 1 1:58
Cruiserweight 93 kg Conor Cooke def. Mason Shaw KO 1 1:34
Cruiserweight 93 kg Rob Boardman def. Lee Browne TKO 4 0:47
Welterweight 75 kg Luke Nevin def. Sahin Omer Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00 50-43, 50-43, 50-43.
Middleweight 79 kg Mac Bygraves def. Paul O'Sullivan Decision (split) 5 2:00 50-47, 50-46, 47-48.
Middleweight 79 kg George Thorpe def. Conan Barbaru Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00 49-45, 50-45, 49-45.
Lightweight 70 kg Ryan McCarthy def. Alec Connelly Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00 50-45, 50-46, 50-45.
Bantamweight 61 kg Robbie Brown def. Jordan Ward Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00 50-46, 49-46, 48-47.
Preliminary Card
Bantamweight 61 kg James Dixon def. Tom Mowbray TKO 2 0:43
W. Bantamweight 61 kg Sara Bitto def. Yamila Sanchez Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00 49-45, 50-44, 49-45.
Middleweight 79 kg Simeon Ottley def. Connor Warden TKO 4 1:45

List of current champions

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship UK (BKFC UK)

Weight Class Holder
BKFC UK
Cruiserweight / 205 lb (93 kg; 15 st) Anthony Holmes
Light Heavyweight / 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st) Danny Christie
Welterweight / 165 lb (75 kg; 12 st) Connor Tierney
Featherweight / 145 lb (66 kg; 10 st) Ellis Shepherd

See also

References

  1. ^ "BKFC Acquires England's Bare Fist Boxing Association". Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  2. ^ "Report | Michael 'Venom' Page Set To Fight Mike Perry At BKFC 27". LowKickMMA. 9 June 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  3. ^ Bosco, Nicole (30 May 2018). "Everything you need to know about Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship". Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  4. ^ "BoxRec: Event". boxrec.com. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  5. ^ "Yorkshire Warrior Anthony Holmes ready for return to action after switching to BKFC promotion". www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk. 10 November 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  6. ^ "New opponent for Carlisle bare-knuckle boxer". News and Star. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  7. ^ "Carlisle bare-knuckle boxer's next fight revealed". News and Star. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  8. ^ "Melanie set to become first female Muslim bare knuckle fighter".
  9. ^ "Asian Express Newspaper - VALIANT: UK's first female Muslim bare knuckle fighter makes winning debut". 12 December 2022.
  10. ^ Williams, Rebecca (24 August 2020). "Jawahir Roble: UK's first female Muslim official dreams of refereeing Premier League games". Sky Sports. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  11. ^ "'BKFC Fight Night: Newcastle' results: Mick Terrill to challenge for heavyweight title after slicing Steven Banks". MMA Junkie. 27 November 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  12. ^ Parviz Iskenderov (5 January 2023). "Connor Tierney vs Jake Lindsey tops BKFC 37 in London on March 4". fightmag.com.au.
  13. ^ "BKFC LEEDS". Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.
  14. ^ "BKFC 60 MILTON KEYNES". Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  15. ^ Staff (6 April 2024). "BKFC 60: Lilley vs. Tenaglia Full Results". Cageside Press. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  16. ^ "BKFC-60 RESULTS: FRANCO TENAGLIA, DANNY CHRISTIE AND ELLIS SHEPHERD WIN BKFC TITLE FIGHTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM | BKFC". Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  17. ^ BKFC 60: MILTON KEYNES | Countdown Show and Free Prelims!. Retrieved 6 April 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  18. ^ "BKFC PROSPECTS NEWCASTLE". Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  19. ^ "BKFC Prospects Series: Newcastle UK". allevents.in. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  20. ^ "BKFC Prospect Series: Newcastle Results | BKFC". Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
  21. ^ "BKFC 64 COVENTRY". Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
  22. ^ Staff (10 August 2024). "BKFC 64: Tierney vs. Graham Full Results". Cageside Press. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
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