Bare-knuckle boxing ‘on UFC trajectory’ as US promotion takes over UK model
Bare-knuckle boxing is set to pack an even bigger punch after two leading promotions joined forces in a game-changing moment for the sport.
The British BKB brand, which has gone from strength to strength since being formed almost a decade ago, has been bought out by the Miami-based BYB Extreme promotion. The tie-up has created the biggest bare-knuckle company in the world in terms of roster and global reach.
BKB has staged regular sold-up shows, mainly at the O2’s Indigo arena, in recent years. The latest, BKB 38, was held just last weekend.
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BKB co-founders Jim Freeman and Joe Smith-Brown will remain heavily involved with BYB. Freeman will handle day-to-day operations for BYB in Europe while Smith-Brown will stay on to oversee the continued European expansion.
“We are proud to have created one of the world’s leading combat sports companies, and the acquisition by BYB is evidence of that,” said Smith-Brown. “From here, the sky’s the limit. There’s now no better place or bigger stage than BYB for fighters and fans alike in the bare-knuckle arena.”
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(Image: BKB/Nick Ledger)
BYB officials believe the expanded promotion can match the meteoric rise of UFC and MMA. BYB CEO Gregory Bloom said: “Make no mistake, BYB and bare-knuckle fighting is taking over the combat sports world, with a trajectory not much different than the UFC and MMA were on 20 years ago.
“BYB has positioned itself as the far-and-away leader in advancing the sport of bare-knuckle fighting both domestically and internationally.”
BYB, which also launched in the mid-2010s, and BKB, the world’s first professional bare-knuckle promotion, have already been working together successfully. BYB president Mike Vazquez said: “This is an unprecedented tipping point in mainstream bare-knuckle fighting globally.
(Image: Nick Ledger/BKB)
“Since the inception of both companies, we’ve maintained and developed a working relationship with BKB that has showcased cross-promotional fights since 2021, giving fans what they truly want and deserve: the best fighters in the world, taking the gloves off and facing one another in the oldest and purest form of combat sports.
“This acquisition was a natural next step in becoming the biggest, baddest bare-knuckle company in the world, with the largest international footprint and over 250 fighters from six continents and over two dozen countries, not to mention broadcasting on numerous platforms globally, and to millions of people.”
