What was once one of the sport's most popular divisions saw a resurgence in 2025.
2024 saw a new champion crowned at BYB’s 154 and BKFC’s 155-lbs. division, and set itself up for a massive year in 2025. Franco Tenaglia and Tony Soto put on a Fight of the Decade, while BYB’s Liam Rees shocked fans in Leeds, England when he knocked out Scott McHugh.
BKFC
Champion: Franco Tenaglia
Defeated James Lilley via Majority Decision on April 6th.
Defeated Tony Soto via Majority Decision on October 12th.
It was a hard fought year for one of the toughest dudes in all of bare knuckle. Tenaglia went five hard rounds with the experienced and extremely talented James Lilley, but an early knockdown gave him the razor-thin majority decision once the final bell rang. It was more of the same in October when he put on what will likely be Fight of the Year with Tony Soto for the vacant lightweight title. Once again knockdowns would decide it as the Majority decision again went to Tenaglia. Looking ahead to 2025 the most likely scenario is that they end up doing the rematch.
Contenders:
If Tony Soto didn’t do enough in his clash with Tenaglia in October to warrant a rematch, then no rematch should ever happen again across all combat sports. While logistics could be the only thing that gets in the way, Soto is the most deserving of a title shot in the division.
Howard Davis, a contender at both 145 and 155, knocked out James Brown in the first round at BKFC 66, one of his biggest wins to date. He could favour the heavier weight and make a real run at the title in the new year.
BYB
Champion: Liam Rees
The Swansea product won a world title in just his fourth bare knuckle fight over a much more experienced Scott McHugh. While he was also the underdog, Rees went into McHugh’s backyard and spoiled his crowning moments when he knocked him out in the third round, (correctly predicted by me no big deal). “Rocky” comes into 2025 ready to take on all comers.
Contenders:
Henry Lindsey picked up two first round stoppages this year, including one of BYB’s best this year when he stopped Serob Minasyan in a movie-like sequence when both fighters got knocked down at the same time.
Henry Williams is currently riding a three fight win streak and is ranked as BYB’s #1 contender, he’s likely next up for Rees. Although we might get a battle of the Henrys, the winner gets a shot at Rees and the loser changes their name. (I made the same joke about Christine Ferea vs Christine Vicens and it wasn’t funny then either)
Notable moments
BKFC
Bobby Taylor and Ryan Roberts who have a combined age of 91, threw down in an effort that is only rivaled by the Tenaglia-Soto bout later in the year.
Ben Bonner nearly killed Lewis Keen earlier this year creating possibly the Knockout of the Year.
Timmy Mason also put himself in the running for Knockout of the Year when he stiffened up Gabriel Freyre at BKFC 63. Something seems to have been in the air at lightweight this year, they
BYB
In Robert Duran Jr.’s BYB debut he high fived his opponent Javon Wright following a knockdown and then knocked him out, I don’t know I always found it hilarious.
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