Jesse Bernstein's writing has appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer, Tablet, The Forward, and the Jewish Review of Books. This weekend at BKFC 14, the promotion will feature a pair of high profile fights including a 155-pound championship bout between former UFC fighter Jim Alers as he takes on World Series of Fighting veteran Luis Palomino. that is what is helping to open up these doors that have been shut for so long., David Feldman: I think its just staying the course really. Each fight takes place in a specialized circular four-rope ring, referred to as the "Squared Circle. BKFC 1, which took place on June 2, 2018, featured the first American sanctioned women's bare-knuckle fight in modern history. On June 24, 2022, Luis Palomino, Lightweight Champion, won the Welterweight Championship and becomes the first double champion in BKFC History. It took seven years for Feldman to convince one state, Wyoming, to legally sanction and apply regulations to a bare-knuckle fight and, on June 2, 2018, Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 1: The Beginning featured 12 fights. or thinks they have it. 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 . Ahead of BKFCs 14th flagship show on Friday, the promotions president is happy to say he was right, especially given the growth of the sport worldwide. Feldman first learned about bare-knuckle fighting when he was promoting fights in Arizona, and met a fighter named Bobby Gunn. So July 24th 2020 we became the first live sporting event in the country with fans. Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship presents its first event of 2021 on Friday night with its biggest show to date, KnuckleMania, from the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, Fla. . Did Mike Tyson want to get hit with a bare knuckle at his age? Can Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships become a force in combat sports I have a core three or four people that have worked with me since the beginning. Everything about it was real. While other companies were bidding for her and we won that bid, people were like wow this is serious. Bare Knuckle FC president David Feldman confirmed to MMA Fighting on Monday that fighter Justin Thornton had died after a loss to Dillon Cleckler on the BKFC 20 card Aug. 20 in Biloxi, Mississippi. SN: What are the target states you're looking to get regulated in this year? Feldman represented that BKFC needed immediate funding to be able to continue its operations, planning and holding events and for the viability of the League in general. By. He has a 73-0 record in bouts that have taken place in parking garages, warehouses, repair shops, and other shady locales, among other things. Mike Perry is nursing an injury after the one he gave Luke Rockhold at BKFC 41 this past Saturday. 2 talking about this. It should be a lot easier for us to then open up these doors., David Feldman: I was offered a lot of money just last week to sell. Get Jewish Exponent's Newsletter by email and never miss our top storiesWe do not share data with third party vendors. Joe Riggs at BKFC 24 on April 30, 2022 UFC veteran Felipe Colares dead at 29 after being hit by bus. Bare Knuckle FC President David Feldman on why BKFC is the fastest Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship will remain as is, Feldman said. Then I would also imitate smashing my knee into someones head. It allows the fighters to put their foot on the gas pedal from the opening bell and really go at it. You just cant do that.. However, while he does not claim that the pension would make BKFC fighters wealthy at the conclusion of their careers, he does expect that it will serve as a reliable safety net in times of need. I was just done, Feldman said. On July 24, 2020 it was announced that starting on August, DAZN will be streaming BKFC events. So what does he like about it? Artem Lobov, David Feldman and Jason Knight at the weigh-in for BKFC 9. I couldnt be happier., jbernstein@jewishexponent.com; 215-832-0740. But it didnt have the atmosphere as much there. We've always given to the fans and we will continue to do that. after tragic death of bare-knuckle fighter", "BKFC and DAZN agree to broadcast partnership starting in August", "BKFC Live Events Headed to FITE+ Subscription Service", "Everything you need to know about Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship", "Paige VanZant vs. Rachael Ostovich official for BKFC 19 on July 23", "BKFC 7 | Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships | Home", "NEWS | Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships | Home", "Bare Knuckle FC 5 fight card for 'Lobov vs Knight' on April 6", "Bare Knuckle FC 4 Complete Guide! Im not in it for the money, says the author. I always thought this was going to happen, but I thought it would take 5 to 7 years to get where we are at now. The popularity of the promotion has attracted many notable combat sports athletes who made their names in traditional boxing and mixed martial arts. David Feldman BKFC - Facebook We had no idea about that. I think what sets us apart for the common person is everybody in the world has either witnessed a bare knuckle fight or been in one. I mean, its truly been an unbelievable experience that I could never have imagined when the idea for this project first came to me. Nguyen was stripped of the title in June 2021 after he and the organization were not able to reach agreement on new contract. If bare knuckle fans didnt think it could get any better than BKFC 5, featuring the first bout between Lobov and Knight, Feldman followed it up with BKFC 6, getting former outspoken boxing world champion Paulie Malignaggi and Artem Lobov to compete in in Tampa, Florida, the most recent state at the time to pass legislation approving bare knuckle fighting. This is something I believe needed to be done, and I am delighted that we are the first combat sports promotion to do so in the history of the sport.. On Wednesday, the founder of the promotion, David Feldman, announced that Triller, a social media company that has expanded into the promotion of boxing and other combat sports, has acquired a majority stake of BKFC. All rights reserved. We have two very big either platform or network deals in talks right now and hoping to close that out within the next 30 to 60 days. [14], Initially, BKFC pay-per-view bouts were carried worldwide via FITE TV. Earlier this month, BKFC executives announced a . When reached for comment, Feldman said he was unaware a lawsuit had been filed and that his team will deal with it accordingly. I have no other information at this moment, Feldman said. Although money wasn't a factor with ONE, this development comes a month after Bare Knuckle FC president David Feldman revealed Ngannou was asking for too much money. The former four-time NBA champion previously marveled at bare knuckle athletes, and called BKFC "the future of fighting" after he watched from ringside the combat sport firm's KnuckleMania event in February.. Feldman said last month that he was talking to O . With all major cable operators and satellite providers on board in the US and Canada and streaming platform FITE TV carrying the events, the sports profile has grown exponentially in less than a year. In the co-main event, Dat Nguyen will scare off with Reggie Barnett Jr. with the winner likely moving onto a title fight against reigning BKFC champion Johnny Bedford. Until I can change their lives and change my life at the same time, leave money for the next generation, thats when I know it is time to go. The really great thing is that next Wednesday BKFC becomes part of the Association of Boxing Comiisioners. I dont mean we overpaid what her value to us is, I mean we overpaid her compared to what other people were going to pay her. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. That deal came together a year after BKFC put on one of the most talked about cards in all of combat sports when Artem Lobov faced off with former boxing champion Paulie Malignaggi. And I think it put us into a semi-mainstream world of combat sports right now. 18:43. This page was last edited on 2 May 2023, at 04:19. His son, David Jr., had just been born after the fifth, and the dynamic between him and his father had deteriorated. Feldman is not . You have Luis Palomino, who really doesnt know how to dance around and back up. I started researching it, and I was like, Wow, this stuff is really cool, man, he said. Why dont you start the discussion? Justin Thornton died as a result of spinal injury suffered during his BKFC debut. David Feldman - Presidents and CEO - Bare Knuckle fighting - LinkedIn So we'll go from anywhere, but they have to be able to want to fight. Thats what makes them so special. His father, the late Marty Feldman, was a seasoned boxing trainer. So, I think just combating that and finding different platforms. The upstart promotion has since held nine more events giving fans such notable scraps as Joey Beltran vs. Tony Lopez 1 and 2 and Conor McGregor protg Artem Lobov vs. Jason Knight 1 and 2 as well as a Lobov grudge match with former boxing champion and one-time McGregor sparring partner Paulie Malignaggi. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. So I said lets do a live event where we can have fans. Then boom, he would crack it. And then another. I think they went in there as more of a show. We're growing exponentially, only way faster than we ever thought we were going to be. New Mexico and Massachusetts are right around the corner. As the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship continues to court free agents to join their roster, promotion officials will have a one-of-a-kind incentive to provide as an incentive to prospective fighters. After first receiving approval to hold a sanctioned event in Cheyenne, Wyoming, BKFC held the first state sanctioned bare-knuckle boxing event in the United States since 1889. Im not in it for the money. It is the largest bare knuckle boxing promotion company in the world, and has featured notable talents such as Luis Palomino, Elvin Leon Brito, Jim Alers, Artem Lobov, Ricco Rodriguez, Charles Bennett, Kendall Grove, Chris Lytle, Joe Riggs, Chase Sherman, Leonard Garcia, Eric Prindle, Joey Beltran, Bec Rawlings, Shannon Ritch, Reggie Barnett Jr., Bobby Gunn, Jason Knight, Johnny Bedford, Paulie Malignaggi, Rolando Dy, Reza Goodary, Souris Manfredi, Fani Peloumpi, Steve Banks, Sirimongkol Singmanasak, Buakaw Banchamek, Saenchai, Robert Morrow, and Chris Leben. We think we're about two years ahead of the plan right now. Can David Feldman Become the New King of Combat Sports? BKFC president David Feldman blown away by the growth of bare-knuckle Feldman founded the BKFC in 2018 and in a near two year existence . For each BKFC battle, money will be deposited in a pension account, from which they will be able to collect when they reach the age of retirement.. I feel closer to those that lost their livelihoods. With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie looks at the best knockouts from April 2023. The participants are being paid well and can fight more often due to the favorable format. MetroKids We have to show them that we really mean business and that we are sustainable. Stewart asserts that they had a written agreement, but that he does not have a copy of the agreement. Thats what happened for him., David Feldman: Five years from now? Feldman is excited by the possibilities Lobov has an MMA background, while Malignaggi is a boxer but hes just as excited to further cement bare knuckles place in American combat sport. BKFC was founded in 2018, bringing sanctioned bare-knuckle boxing events to the U.S. for the first time since the late 1800s. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images). In the first ever event in June 2018, Joey Beltran and . Something went wrong. Im not in it for the money. Were now just going to have more assets, more resources, and more possibilities.. We get the local fans and local community involved. What's so important about it is those local fans can now say that they've become fans and hopefully buy the PPV and watch whatever platform we're on in the future. ONEs Chatri Sityodtong decided not to submit our final offer to Francis Ngannou after meeting. Alves was stripped of the title in June 2022 after he and the organization were not able to reach agreement on new contract. ), Join DAZN and watch more than 100 fight nights a year. Founder and president of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship David Feldman said in an interview with Chris Van Vliet that he was recently offered a generous amount of money to sell the promotion . Feldman promises thats just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the plans he has in place for BKFC as he continues to conquer new mountains in the combat sports space. Consumers Eye Magazine David feldman bkfc net worth. BKFC already made waves earlier this year when signing former UFC star Paige VanZant to an exclusive contract after she reached free agency. Jorge Masvidal: Why UFC Fighter Would Excel As a Bare-Knuckle Fighter Founder and president of BKFC David Feldman. After deciding to stick to his guns, Feldman is now focused on executing BKFC 19, which is headlined by former UFC strawweights Paige Van Zant and Rachael Ostovich. McCain eventually recanted the sport had cleaned up, he said but the phrase remained. [1] Its first event was held in 2018, with 24 "numbered" events held as of April 2022. BKFC hosted the first state-sanctioned bare-knuckle boxing event in the United States in 1889 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, after initially getting the authority to organize a sanctioned event in the city. SN: Did the success of not just that event but the entire year surprise you? Then I would put a glove on him and ask him to do it again. By Jim Varsallone. Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship League Is Rocked by Inferno Florida