A new merger could lead to healthy competition between the North American bare knuckle promotions.
With the recent merger between BYB Extreme and BKB it begs the question, can BYB rival or even pass BKFC? While it's difficult to measure that type of success, there are a few indicators that I go over below.
Talent/roster
Now this is always a difficult subject because everyone peaks at different times, so even when there are common opponents or even fights between the BKFC and BYB roster it's tough to say who has the edge. However, if BKFC did have the edge in talent, BYB’s addition of BKB more than closes the gap, maybe even giving them the advantage. The top tier of BKB bare knuckers coming over including Barrie Jones, Scott McHugh, James Connelly and possibly even Jimmy Sweeney, the boost is massive. Again, difficult to actually know who’s better than who, but with the combination of the two rosters, the top level of BYB can now surely rival that of BKFC.
Publicity
At least on the social media side, BKFC still holds the edge however with the fans coming over from BKB, BYB’s instagram audience could nearly double. And with the promotional power of both companies now behind one clear brand, one can only assume there will be steady growth both in the UK and North America.
The one thing that BKFC has a clear advantage is star power. In North America when you think bare knuckle, you think of Mike Perry, add in the recent news of Conor McGregor becoming part of the ownership that's a pretty hard duo to beat.
But with the combined promotional power of both taking LT Nelson to the UK audience and Barrie Jones among others to the North American Audience, that could change. One thing that bare knuckle has over nearly every sport is personality and marketability, fighters know that to sell tickets or get eyes on tv they need to be marketable, so it will only be a matter of time before BYB has a superstar of their own, just waiting for their opportunity with the new spotlight. Personally I think it's two division champion LT Nelson.
One thing that will help BYB’s case is the opportunity with a larger roster and a larger production team is the ability to put on more events per year. They are on a one event per month pace through the end of 2024, but in 2025 that is sure to go up. The more your fighters are in front of a camera, fight week media and of course social media, the better.
While these two companies may not see it as direct competition, that could be looked at as a good thing, boxing has healthy competition between all its promotion companies forcing them to put on the best fights that fans want to see. Having two solid promotional companies will keep them both on their game pushing the product of bare knuckle to new heights. With that in mind there has never been a better time to be a bare knuckle fan!
Photo's courtesy of BYB and BKFC