BARE KNUCKLE INTRODUCTION
The combat sports scene has been on fire since the turn of the decade and whether you are a boxing or MMA fan, the newest (but technically oldest) addition into the scene is certainly worth watching. It’s BARE KNUCKLE.
Yes, it’s bloodier. Yes, the fights end in stoppage more often. But no, it is not more dangerous than either of its aforementioned gloved counterparts. There are less concussions and broken bones in bare knuckle believe it or not.
And no, I’m not here to convince people that bare knuckle is, by any means, safe. But I did need to point out that if you’re against watching it because you think it’s more brutal, then you should do a little more research. Genuinely.
FIGHTERS YOU SHOULD KNOW
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Mike Perry (BKFC) The guy in the picture. He is a former UFC fighter who has excelled in BKFC beating former UFC champions and becoming the face of the sport.
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Barrie Jones (BYB, formerly BKB) One of the best bare knucklers on the planet. Two-division champion. Beat the arguable GOAT, Jimmy Sweeney, twice. Has a case for being the bare knuckle GOAT.
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Jimmy Sweeney (BYB, formerly BKB) Arguably the GOAT with one of the most experienced records in the sport and credited with making the sport more popular. Four-division champion.
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Christine Ferea (BKFC) Widely regarded as the female bare knuckle GOAT. Current flyweight champion.
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Britain Hart (BKFC) After her fight with Taylor Starling at BKFC 63, she has the most main events in company history. Current strawweight champion.
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Austin Trout (BKFC) Former boxing world champion. Beat two-division champion Luis Palomino. Our pound for pound number 1.
BARE KNUCKLE LEAGUES
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In 2024, the bare knuckle sports industry, is primarily run by two organizations:
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BKFC (BARE KNUCKLE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP) & BYB EXTREME (BACK YARD BRAWL).
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There was another big name organization called BKB that was primarily based in the UK. As of May, 2024, they were bought by BYB and the process of merging the two organizations' champions is still ongoing.
BYB EXTREME
(Back Yard Brawl)
BKFC (Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship)
BKFC RULES
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BKFC is conducted in a circular ring that they call the “squared circle”. Yes, that term is also used in boxing.
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Fighters are permitted to wrap and tape the wrist, thumb, and mid-hand. No gauze or tape can be within 1 inch of the knuckles.
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Fighters will “Toe The Line”. There are two lines, three feet apart, in the center of the ring where the fighters will start each round. The front foot will be on the line and then the referee will instruct the fighters to “Knuckle Up”. This means the beginning of the round/bout.
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Punches are the only strike allowed and must be a closed fist. (No kicks, elbows, knees, or grappling)
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In a clinch, the fighter may punch his way out with the open hand. If there is a three-second lull in action while clinching, the referee will break the fighters.
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If a fighter gets knocked down, he will have 10 seconds to return to his feet, or the referee will stop the fight. You are NOT permitted to hit a downed fighter. If you do, you will be disqualified, and your purse may be withheld. While a fighter is downed, the other fighter will be instructed to report to a neutral area.
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There is no three knockdown rule.
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If a fighter is cut, and the blood is impairing the fighter’s vision, the referee may call a timeout and give the cutman 30 seconds to stop the bleeding. If the cut cannot be controlled and the blood inhibits the fighter’s vision, the referee will stop the fight and award victory to the other fighter.
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Fights are 2 minutes per round and each bout will be 5 rounds in length.
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Attire: All fighters must have a groin protector with a cup, a mouthpiece, boxing trunks, and boxing/wrestling shoes.
BKFC WEIGHTS
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Heavyweight: 206+-lbs. (Male)
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Cruiserweight: 205-lbs. (Male)
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Light heavyweight: 185-lbs. (Male)
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Middleweight: 175-lbs. (Male)
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Welterweight: 165-lbs. (Male)
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Lightweight: 155-lbs. (Male)
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Featherweight: 145-lbs. (Male)
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Bantamweight: 135-lbs. (Male)
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Flyweight: 125-lbs. (Male/Female)
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Strawweight: 115-lbs. (Female)
BKFC CHAMPIONS
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Mick Terrill: Heavyweight
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Vacant: Cruiserweight
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Jared Warren: Light Heavyweight
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David Mundell: Middleweight
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Austin Trout: Welterweight
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Vacant: Lightweight
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Kai Stewart: Featherweight
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Alberto Blas: Bantamweight
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John Dodson: Flyweight
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Christine Ferea: Flyweight
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Britain Hart: Strawweight
BYB RULES
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They fight in a triangle ring that they call the “Mighty Trigon”.
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Fights are contested at a maximum of 6, 3 minute rounds.
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There is no three knockdown rule.
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Fighters can not be saved by the bell.
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All bouts will be evaluated and scored by three (3) judges. The bouts will be scored using the ten (10) point must system to determine the winner. The scorecards shall be collected from each judge between each round of the bout.
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BYB has a lot more details laid out in their rules so I’ll just provide you with a link to their full official rulebook:
BYB WEIGHTS
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Strawweight: 107-lbs.
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Super Flyweight: 115-lbs.
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Bantamweight: 125-lbs.
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Featherweight: 135-lbs.
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Lightweight: 145-lbs.
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Welterweight: 155-lbs.
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Middleweight: 165-lbs.
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Super Middleweight: 175-lbs.
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Light Heavyweight: 185-lbs.
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Middle Heavyweight: 205-lbs.
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Cruiserweight: 225-lbs.
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Heavyweight: 265-lbs.
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Super Heavyweight: 266+-lbs.
BYB CHAMPIONS
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Super Flyweight: Agnesa Kirakosian (Female)
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Featherweight: Harold McQueen
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Lightweight: Julio Tanori-Rodriguez & Paty Juarez (Female)
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Welterweight: Carlos Alexandre
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Middleweight: LT Nelson
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Super Middleweight: LT Nelson
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Light Heavyweight: Gregoris Cisneros
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Heavyweight: Gustavo Trujillo
BKB CHAMPIONS (As of July 2024)
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Flyweight: Scott McHugh
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Bantamweight: Barrie Jones
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Featherweight: Barrie Jones
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Lightweight: James Connelly
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Welterweight: Jimmy Sweeney
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Super Welterweight: Jimmy Sweeney
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Middleweight: Dan Lerwell
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Super Middleweight: Marko Martinjak
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Cruiserweight: Carl Hobley
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Heavyweight: Richie Leak
CONCLUSION
There are plenty of other leagues and nuances in the sport. But this is a great place to start,
especially for the North American audiences.
Stay tuned here on Bare Knuckle Nation for future additions and changes to this BK 101.