Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) is an American combat sports promotion based in Philadelphia,Pennsylvania. Recognized as the first organization to hold an officially sanctioned, regulated bare-knuckle boxing event in the United States since 1889, BKFC delivers pure, high-tempo striking inside its signature circular ring, blending 19th-century combat tradition with modern athletic commission oversight.
Promotion Overview
Feature
Details
Sport
Bare-Knuckle Boxing
Founded
April 2018
Founder & CEO
David Feldman
Headquarters
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Notable Stakeholders
Conor McGregor / McGregor Sports & Entertainment
Signature Ring
The Squared Circle (Circular 4-Rope Ring)
Streaming & Broadcast
BKFC+ App, TrillerTV, Global Pay-Per-View
History & Inception
BKFC was founded in 2018 by former professional boxer David Feldman after a decade-long push to legalize bare-knuckle boxing under modern state athletic commissions.
The sport achieved its modern milestone on June 2, 2018, with BKFC 1: The Beginning in Cheyenne, Wyoming—marking the first time state-regulated bare-knuckle fighting took place in North America in nearly 130 years. Since that debut, the promotion has expanded globally, staging sold-out arena events across the United States, Europe, and Latin America, while securing major mainstream investment—highlighted by MMA superstar Conor McGregor joining as a co-owner in 2024.
The Rules of the Pit: "The Squared Circle"
Unlike traditional boxing rings or mixed martial arts cages, BKFC bouts take place inside The Squared Circle, a custom circular ring engineered specifically for constant offensive pressure:
No Corners: The circular 4-rope perimeter prevents fighters from getting trapped or pinned in corners, forcing action toward the center.
Toe the Line: Each two-minute round begins with fighters placing their front foot on scratch lines spaced just three feet apart in the center of the ring, initiating immediate infighting when the referee calls "Knuckle Up."
Bout Structure: Standard bouts run five rounds at 2 minutes each, prioritizing high pace and explosive output.Championship bouts may extend up to seven rounds.
Hand Wrap Regulation: Fighters' wrists, thumbs, and palms are wrapped and taped for joint stability, but athletic commission rules mandate that wraps end at least one inch below the knuckles, leaving the striking surface fully exposed.
Permitted Combat: Only closed-fist strikes are permitted. Kicks, knees, elbows, and grappling are prohibited,though open clinch fighting and "dirty boxing" punches are legal.
Roster & Global Footprint
BKFC features a blend of pure pugilists, seasoned bare-knuckle veterans, and elite crossover talent from the UFC,Bellator, Pride, and professional boxing. With weight divisions spanning flyweight to heavyweight, as well as a competitive women's strawweight and flyweight division, BKFC has evolved into the fastest-growing standalone combat league in sports entertainment.
