BKFC And DAZN Announce Multi-Year Worldwide Broadcast Deal

Press Release: September 14, 2024 By DAZN- Philadelphia, PA (September 13, 2024) – Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), The World’s Fastest Growing Combat Sports Promotion, today proudly announced a landmark three-year broadcast partnership with DAZN.  As part of this groundbreaking deal, DAZN will become the official home for BKFC, delivering exclusive live shows, pay-per-view events, and a variety of shoulder programming to fans around the world. 

Credit: DAZN

 

The partnership kicks off with BKFC Marbella, Spain emanating from the iconic Marbella Arena in Marbella, Spain, on Saturday, October 12, 2024. This highly anticipated event marks the beginning of an exciting new era for BKFC and DAZN as the partnership is slated to deliver up to 24 exclusive live events annually, solidifying DAZN as the destination for combat sports enthusiasts. 

  

BKFC’s Founder and President, David Feldman, highlighted the significance of this collaboration: “Our partnership with DAZN represents a major inflection point in BKFC’s global expansion. This three-year deal allows us to bring the adrenaline-pumping action of BKFC to an even larger, worldwide audience. DAZN shares our vision of elevating the sport of bare-knuckle fighting, and together, we will deliver an unparalleled experience to combat sports fans across the globe.” 

  

The announcement of Conor McGregor joining BKFC as a new owner and partner this past April marked a significant milestone in the promotion’s history. As one of the biggest names in combat sports, McGregor’s involvement has already brought unprecedented attention to BKFC, particularly following his appearance at the BKFC-Marbella, Spain Launch Press Conference in July. McGregor’s involvement is a testament to BKFC’s rise in profile within the combat sports world, particularly as the organization forges ahead with its global broadcast partnership with DAZN. 

  

Jared Kass, SVP North America, DAZN Group, expressed his excitement for the partnership: “We are thrilled to become the exclusive home of BKFC’s premier events. This collaboration speaks to DAZN’s dedication to delivering innovative and unforgettable combat sports experiences. With BKFC now part of our portfolio, fans worldwide will have access to some of the most exciting fights and content in the sport.” 

  

Adding to the excitement, Mario Lopez, a popular television personality, will host select BKFC events, providing his star power to further enhance the BKFC viewing experience. This deal with DAZN offers an exciting opportunity to feature not only the top BKFC fighters but also key brand ambassadors and partners; McGregor and Lopez, amplifying the visibility of BKFC globally. 

 

DAZN’s comprehensive BKFC coverage commences with BKFC Marbella, Spain on October 12 and as part of the ongoing collaboration, DAZN will broadcast a slate of upcoming BKFC premium events in 2024,

 

October 12, 2024 – Marbella, Spain

November 9, 2024 – Billings, Montana

December 14, 2024 – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

December 21, 2024 – Hollywood Florida

 

In addition to these live events, DAZN will provide fans with an extensive catalog of exclusive BKFC programming, enhancing the viewing experience with behind-the-scenes content, fighter profiles, and more. The platform will feature: 

 

“Untapped” – A compelling behind-the-scenes series that delves into the lives, training, and personal journeys of BKFC fighters. 

Best of the BKFC Library – An expansive archive of past fights, showcasing some of the most memorable and legendary moments in BKFC history. 

Fighter profiles – Highlighting rising stars, top-tier fighters, and exclusive footage of their careers. 

 

David Tetreault, President of Triller Sports and Chief Business Officer of BKFC, played a pivotal role in securing this partnership drawing on his extensive experience with DAZN from his tenure at Golden Boy where he was the architect of the landmark Canelo Alvarez deal with DAZN. Tetreault emphasized the importance of DAZN’s global reach for the collaboration. “This partnership marks a new era for BKFC,” said Tetreault. “We are forming a steering committee composed of top executives from both DAZN and BKFC to take this partnership to new heights. With our combined expertise in Media and Entertainment, Global Marketing, and Content Distribution, we will redefine combat sports worldwide.”  

 

BKFC Marbella, Spain is headlined by three highly anticipated world title fights, promising a night of thrilling action. The main event features the BKFC Lightweight World Title Clash between Spain's Franco Tenaglia and Tony ‘Loco’ Soto of the United States while the BKFC Middleweight World Title showdown sees reigning champion David Mundell defending his title against top contender Danny Christie of the United Kingdom. In addition, Austin Trout, the reigning BKFC Welterweight World Champion, will put his title on the line for the first time against Rico Franco. Having competed across the globe, Trout is excited to showcase his skills in Spain and aims to make a statement in his title defense, while Franco is eager to stake his claim as the top welterweight in BKFC. 

 

Partnership with Triller and DAZN 

Our ongoing collaboration with Triller and DAZN continues to propel BKFC’s presence in the digital and global arenas. The partnership, which began with the Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz boxing event, utilizes Triller’s suite of innovative tools, including the Triller app and Amplify AI technology, to increase our marketing reach. As we push forward, we are leveraging Triller TV’s streaming service as an alternative pay-per-view provider, ensuring that our events reach the widest audience possible. The upcoming BKFC 67 event will benefit from this enhanced digital strategy, driving storylines and engagement through Triller’s cutting-edge AI tools.  

 

About Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) 

 

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) is the first promotion allowed to hold a legal, sanctioned, and regulated bare knuckle event in the United States since 1889. Based in Philadelphia, and headed by President and former professional boxer David Feldman, BKFC is dedicated to preserving the historical legacy of bare knuckle fighting, while utilizing a specifically created rule set that emphasizes fighter safety. BKFC holds all of its bouts in a revolutionary circular four-rope ring, designed to encourage fast-paced and exciting bouts. The patented BKFC “Squared Circle” contains scratch lines, based on the Broughton Rules which governed bare knuckle fighting in the 19th century, and which requires fighters to “Toe the Line”: start every round face to face, and just inches apart.  

 

In BKFC, only those fighters who are established professionals in boxing, MMA, kickboxing, or Muay Thai are allowed to compete. The referees and judges are required to have extensive professional combat sports experience. All fights are held under the auspices and control of an Athletic Commission. Unlike other fighting organizations and combat sports internationally which claim to be “bare knuckle”, but require wraps, tape, and gauze; BKFC is true to its word as fighters are not allowed to wrap their hands to within one inch of the knuckle. This makes BKFC unquestionably the truest form of bare knuckle fighting. BKFC is dedicated to not just creating the safest, most exciting, and highest-level bare-knuckle fighting organization in the world, it’s also leading the way for a new fully recognized professional combat sport. BKFC is truly the sport of the future, which fully respects its remarkable past.  

 

About DAZN   

 

DAZN is the home of European football, women’s football, boxing and MMA, and the NFL (excl. USA). DAZN is building the ultimate sports entertainment platform, based on premium sports rights, world-leading tech, and multi-platform distribution. DAZN believes that fans from across the globe should be able to watch, read, bet, play, share, socialize, buy tickets and merchandise, all in one place, with one account, one wallet and on one app. For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance visit dazngroup.com

 Material and Photo Courtesy of DAZN Used with permission. 

For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, availability around the world, local start times in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com. 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

BKFC Announces Slate Of Events For March 2024

The Bareknuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) have announced their upcoming schedule of Bareknuckle Boxing cards for the month of March Bareknuckle Boxing cards. On March 2nd, the promotion will present it’s latest edition of it’s BKFC Prospects series from Enoch, Alberta, Canada. Headlining the card will be a battle in the Women’s Flyweight division as Jade Masson-Wong (Bareknuckle Boxing record 2-1, with 1 Knockout) will face undefeated Gabrielle Roman (Bareknuckle Boxing record 1-0-1, with 1 Knockout) in a bout scheduled for five two minute rounds. This will headline a scheduled eight fight card at The Venue at River Cree.

The action moves to Miami on March 15th where the latest BKFC Fight Night will take place at the Vivo Dolphin Mall. A Lightweight bout will serve as the main event on this card as Howard Davis (Bareknuckle Boxing record 6-2-1, with 5 Knockouts) will face Sean Wilson (Bareknuckle Boxing record 3-1, 1 Knockout) in a bout scheduled for five two minute rounds. A battle of unbeaten Women’s Flyweights will serve as the co-main event of the card as Rosalinda Rodriguez (Bareknuckle Boxing record 1-0, 0 Knockouts) will face Monica Franco (Bareknuckle Boxing record 1-0, 0 Knockouts) in a bout also scheduled for five two minute rounds.

BKFC will travel to Sofia, Bulgaria on March 22nd for BKFC 58. In the main event, undefeated Cruiserweight Toni Markulev (Bareknuckle Boxing record 1-0, 0 Knockouts) will face fellow unbeaten Cruiserweight Kaloyan Kolev (Bareknuckle Boxing record 1-0, with 1 Knockout) in a fight scheduled for five two minute rounds. 

Finally, on March 29th in  Albuquerque, NM BKFC 59 will take place at the Tingley Coliseum. Undefeated BKFC World Flyweight champion and former Ultimate Fighter winner in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) John Dodson (Bareknuckle Boxing record 3-0, with 3 Knockouts) will defend his title against undefeated contender Dagoberto Aguero (Bareknuckle Boxing record 1-0, with 1 Knockout)

For more information about BKFC and to subscribe to the BKFC’s streaming network Bareknuckle TV please visit: www.BKFC.com. 

We will keep readers updated on any further developments regarding these upcoming events as they become available. Stay Tuned.

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

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Slaveski Wins World Welterweight Championship At BKFC 49

Undefeated Welterweight Gorjan Slaveski successfully went from contender to world champion by scoring a hard fought five round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Jake Lindsey to win the vacant Bareknuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) Welterweight world championship on Friday night at the Miami-Dade Fairgrounds in Miami, FL. The main event of BKFC 49 turned out to be an ugly, grueling, and great fight all in one. 

A fight that began almost exclusively with both fighters trying to tee off on each other on the inside including trying to fight and grapple in the clinch, similar to what you would see in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), but not something that is legal in Boxing including Bareknuckle Boxing. As the bout went on however, both fighters had their share of moments in what became a seesaw battle in terms of momentum as both fighters landed hard, thudding punches to the head that frankly would have dropped many of fighters. Despite suffering an injury to his right hand as the fight was entering the latter rounds where his knuckles were bleeding heavily, Lindsey managed to seemingly keep the fight close, but it was the harder punches of Slaveski that ultimately prevailed in a grueling back and forth contest as he would win the fight and the world championship via unanimous decision.Official scores were: 49-46, and 48-47 (On two scorecards)  in favor of Slaveski.

Gorjan Slaveski advances to 6-0, with 4 Knockouts. Jake Lindsey falls to 4-1, with 4 Knockouts. 

Also on this card:

Unbeaten Lightweight Bryce Henry scored a first round knockout of  Tom Shoaff. A right hook followed by a barrage of punches put Shoaff down. Shoaff signaled to Referee Sam Burgos as he was counting that he did not want to continue. Official time of the stoppage was 1:29 of round one. Bryce Henry advances to 3-0, with 3 KO’s. Tom Shoaff falls to 4-5, with 4 Knockouts.

Undefeated Featherweight Bryan Duran scored a first round knockout of Dakota Highpine. A fight where both fighters threw punches with knockout intentions, a perfectly timed counter right hook that landed on the forehead of Highpine sent him down and out on the canvas. Official time of the stoppage was :48 of round one. Bryan Duran advances to 5-0, with 5 Knockouts. Dakota Highpine falls to 1-2, with 0 Knockouts.  

In a battle of unbeaten Bantamweights, Justin Sanchez scored a five round unanimous decision over Quinton Foye. A closely fought bout from the opening bell, Sanchez landed more punches, particularly to the body of Foye down the stretch to earn a unanimous decision victory. Official scores were: 48-47, 49-46, and 48-47 in favor of Sanchez. Justin Sancez advances to 2-0, with 0 Knockouts. Quinton Foye falls to 1-1, with 0 Knockouts.

Also in the Bantamweight division, unbeaten Alberto Rodriguez scored a first round knockout of a debuting Jaoa Guerra. A right hand, left hook combination quickly dropped Guerra. Rodriguez closed the show with a follow up combination, which sent Guerra down for a second time. Although Guerra got up, he took his mouthpiece out and shook his head as the ten count was reached. Official time of the stoppage was :51 of round one. Alberto Rodriguez advances to 3-0, with 3 Knockouts. Jaoa Guerra falls to 0-1, with 0 Knockout.

Featherweight Howard Davis scored a first round knockout of Jeff Chiffens. Davis opened a gash on the left side of Chiffens’ head with a right hook immediately upon the fight starting. A right uppercut to the face sent Chiffens down. As Chiffens was being counted out, he was shaking his head, which resulted in the bout being stopped before the count was completed.  Official time of the stoppage was 1:12 of round one. Howard Davis advances to 6-1-1, with 5 Knockouts. Jeff Chiffens falls to 4-6, with 1 Knockout.

Lightweight Joshua Alvarez scored a first round knockout of a debuting Aaron Sutterfield. A left uppercut to the head sent Sutterfield down on his hands and knees in the middle of the ring. Sutterfield was very “Game” and tried to get up, but was unable to beat the count. Official time of the stoppage was 1:29 of round one. Joshua Alvarez advances to 4-3, with 3 Knockouts. Aaron Sutterfield falls to 0-1, with 0 Knockouts. 

Women’s Strawweight Laddy Mejia pounded out a five round split decision over Sarah Click to successfully make her professional Bareknuckle Boxing debut. A competitive fight that was fought at a surprising tactical pace for a Bareknuckle fight, Mejia was able to land the harder punches over the final three rounds to earn the decision victory.  Official scores were: 48-47 (Click), and 49-46, 48-47 for Laddy Mejia. Laddy Meija advances to 1-0, with 0 Knockouts. Sarah Click falls to 0-3, with 0 Knockouts. 

Undefeated Bantamweight Matthew Russo scored a first round knockout of a debuting  Jaymes Hyder. An overhand right to the head staggered Hyder, which Russo followed by a right hook to the jaw that sent Hyder down on his back for the ten count. Official time of the stoppage was 1:16 of round one. Matthew Russo advances to 2-0, with 2 Knockouts Jaymes Hyder falls to 0-1, with 0 Knockouts. 

In a Featherweight rematch from April of this year, Freddy Masabo avenged his only loss by scoring a five round unanimous decision over Bovar Khanakov. The story of this fight was the movement and combination punching of Masabo as he frequently beat Khanakov to the punch. Khanakov suffered two severe cuts over his right eye and on the bridge of his nose in the first round and he was unable to get the ebb and flow of the combat to shift in his favor.  Official scores were: 48-47 (On all three scorecards) in favor of Masabo. Freddy Masabo advances to 3-1, with 2 Knockouts. Bovar Khanakov falls to 3-2, with 0 Knockouts.

Cruiserweight action began the evening as John Escoboza scored a hard fought five round majority decision over previously undefeated Esteban Rodriguez. A high pace slugfest from the opening bell, Escoboza’s cleaner punches, particularly in landing his right hand to the head of Rodriguez, which opened a bad cut over his left eye in the first round ultimately gave him the edge. Escoboza scored a knockdown of Rodriguez with a right hand that appeared to land on the side of the head in the second round. Official scores were: 47-47, (Even) 48-46 (On two scorecards) in favor of Escoboza. John Escoboza advances to 8-1, with 4 Knockouts. Esteban Rodriguez falls to 2-1, with 2 Knockouts.

BKFC 49 brought to a close two nights of Bareknuckle Boxing cards promoted by the Bareknuckle Fighting Championship and its founder David Feldman. A modernized form of Bareknuckle Boxing that is still growing, as the promotion prepares for its fiftieth numbered card next month, a successful debut of its prospects series on August 24th, and continued international expansion including in Bulgaria later this year, the BKFC has laid out what this observer believes is a successful blueprint for other Bareknuckle promoters to try and follow including, but not limited to the adaption of a universal rules standard as approved by the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC). 

In many ways, the rate at which the Bareknuckle portion of the sport of Boxing has been able to grow has in some ways not faced as much opposition and resistance as the sport of MMA did for many years after it's inception here in the United States in organized form in the early 1990's. It is something that should be seen as a positive in a sport that is always the subject of ridicule for its negatives. Especially, if not only safety standards continue to be followed and improve, but also if it continues to provide more options to fighters across all combat sports. 

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BKFC Prospects 1 Results From Miami, FL

Women’s Flyweight Rosalinda Rodriguez successfully made her Bareknuckle Boxing debut by scoring a lopsided five round unanimous decision over MMA veteran Christina Crist in the main event of Bareknuckle Fighting Championship’s (BKFC) inaugural BKFC Prospects event on Thursday night at the Miami-Dade Fairgrounds in Miami, FL. Rodriguez, who is 13-0, in traditional professional Boxing and is the current North American Boxing Federation (NABF) Bantamweight champion, dictated the fight from the start by using effective lateral movement, and her jab to control the distance over Crist, who was also making her professional Bareknuckle Boxing debut after a successful career in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). The consistent pattern of the fight consisted of Rodriguez throwing the jab, moving inside, landing short combinations, and moving back out before Crist could land anything really effective. As the fight went on, Crist began swinging wildly in an attempt to land something that would turn the ebb and flow in her favor, but it simply was not to be as Rodriguez boxed her way to a convincing unanimous decision victory.  Official scores were: 50-44, 49-45, and 50-45 all in favor of Rodriguez. Rosalinda Rodriguez advances to 1-0, with 0 Knockouts. Christina Crist falls to 0-1, with 0 Knockouts. 

Also on this card:

 

In a battle of undefeated Heavyweights, Leonardo Perdomo scored a first round knockout of  Ryan Shough. Perdomo quickly dropped Shough with a right hand seconds into the opening round. He then closed the show dropping Shough with a brutal combination to the head that resulted in the fight being immediately stopped. Official time of the stoppage was :59 of round one. Leonardo Perdomo advances to 2-0, with 2 Knockouts. Ryan Shough falls to 1-1, with 1 Knockout.

 Light-Heavyweight Drew Nolan scored the first win of his Bareknuckle Boxing career by scoring a second round stoppage of Markus Suarez. Nolan was dropped by a short right hook to the head in round one, but a cut that Nolan was able to open over the right eye of Suarez began to bleed heavily and resulted in a second round stoppage when the ringside physician ruled that Suarez could not continue. Official time of the stoppage was 1:22 of round two. Drew Nolan advances to 1-1, with 1 Knockout. Markus Suarez falls to 0-1, with 0 Knockouts.

A Light-Heavyweight bout between Fred Pierce and a debuting Sean Hotusing ended in a second round disqualification in favor of Pierce. A competitive fight from the beginning, Pierce’s awkward counterpunching style appeared to give Hotusing problems for a time. The end came when Pierce was sent down bent over with his hands touching the canvas via a slip. Hotusing however, landed two shots on Pierce while he was ruled on the canvas resulting in Pierce being declared the winner via disqualification when he was unable to continue. Official time of the stoppage was 1:38 of round two. Fred Pierce advances to 2-4, with 1 Knockout. Sean Hotusing falls to 0-1, with 0 Knockouts. 

Bantamweight Dameko Labon needed only twenty-one seconds to knockout Justin Watson. Labon landed a stiff jab at the opening bell followed by a right hook that sent Watson down to the canvas. Watson got up from the knockdown, but walked into a flush left hook to the jaw that sent him down for a second time and the fight was immediately stopped. Official time of the stoppage was :21 of round one. Dameko Labon advances to 1-0, with 1 Knockout. Justin Watson falls to 0-1, with 0 Knockouts. 

In a Welterweight bout that began the evening between two fighters making their professional Bareknuckle Boxing debuts, Leandro Torres scored a third round stoppage of Harry Cruz to successfully make his professional Bareknuckle Boxing debut. A back and forth fight that saw both men cut early and several heated exchanges of offense in close, it was Torres' combination punching over Cruz’ ability to attack at awkward angles. The end came midway through the third round when Cruz was ruled unable to continue due to heavy bleeding from a cut on the outside of his right eye. Official time of the stoppage was 1:29 of round three. Leandro Torres advances to 1-0, with 1 Knockout. Harry Cruz falls to 0-1, with 0 Knockouts. 

Over the last decade, the sport of Bareknuckle Boxing has through various variations grown and expanded at an exceptional rate since the sport was reintroduced in modernized form. The Bareknuckle Fighting Championship has become one of the Bareknuckle promotions led by promoter David Feldman that is now leading the way in the growth and expansion of the sport. A sign of such growth came in the days prior to this card when the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) adapted a universal standard of rules for Bareknuckle bouts. The first edition of the BKFC prospects series, which will be a monthly series to go along with the promotion’s marquee and fight night events certainly did not disappoint as fighters participating in the series have the goal to earn a contract to fight under the BKFC banner in a way similar to the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s (UFC) series in which it’s president Dana White awards contracts to non-signed MMA fighters under the Dana White’s Contender Series banner. 

With fighters from traditional pro Boxing, MMA, and other combat sports disciplines all now venturing into professional Barekuckle bouts, the future of the Bareknuckle portion of the sport of Boxing certainly looks bright. The next event on the BKFC schedule, BKFC 49, which will take place on Friday, August 25th also in Miami, has a tough act to follow.

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

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