BKFC News

Adam D Martin - May 28, 2021

Women’s bare-knuckle fighters Paige VanZant and Rachael Ostovich reacted after their rematch was officially booked in BKFC. BKFC announced this week that the VanZant vs. Ostovich rematch will take place on July 23 at BKFC 19. It’s a rematch of the pair’s fight at UFC on ESPN+ 1 in January 2019, which VanZant won via second-round tapout. This time around, the two will meet in the BKFC ring with no grappling involved. It’s a striking-only fight and considering the popularity of both women, it figures to be one of the biggest fights that BKFC will hold this summer.

Cole Shelton - May 27, 2021

Paige VanZant and Rachael Ostovich are running things back, but this time will do it sans gloves. VanZant and Ostovich first met back in January of 2019 on the first ESPN+ show in Brooklyn. The fight makes VanZant’s return after a year layoff and she got back into the win column with a second-round submission win. Since then, both have parted ways with the UFC and signed with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship and they have now agreed to rematch one another at BKFC 19 on July 23 the promotion announced.

Harry Kettle - May 21, 2021

Former UFC star Alan Belcher has officially ended his retirement from combat sports and signed a multi-fight deal with BKFC. Belcher last fought in mixed martial arts way back in 2013, losing to Michael Bisping via technical decision at UFC 159. He then went more than two years without competing before finally announcing in November 2015 that he’d be stepping away from the cage.

Drake Riggs - May 18, 2021

Paige VanZant has officially transitioned from MMA to bare-knuckle boxing. An unexpected sight for many, her husband, Austin Vanderford, also found it a bit tough to see. Regardless, the rising Bellator middleweight contender still fully supported, and supports, his partner in crime.

Cole Shelton - April 30, 2021

Paige VanZant’s highly-anticipated BKFC debut on February 5 has reportedly struggled with pay-per-views. VanZant made the move to the sans gloves promotion after she was submitted by Amanda Ribas at UFC 251. It was a surprise to many, but also created interest to see how she would fare against Britain Hart in her debut. The fight seemed like it would gain some solid attraction, but according to the Wrestling Observer, the fight only sold 5,000 pay-per-views on TV.

Adam Martin - April 28, 2021

A rematch between former UFC fighters Paige VanZant and Rachael Ostovich is being planned for a BKFC event that will take place this summer. On Tuesday, BKFC announced that it has signed Ostovich to a new contract, and immediately there were rumors that she could be paired up in a rematch against VanZant in a battle between two of the promotion’s most marketable fighters. Indeed, according to MMAFighting.com, BKFC is targeting VanZant vs. Ostovich 2 for a summer matchup, either in June or July. The venue and location of that matchup have yet-to-be determined.

Cole Shelton - April 27, 2021

Rachael Ostovich has signed with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. Ostovich was released from the UFC in December after losing three in a row. After the release, many were curious where she would sign as many pointed to Bellator given she is a Hawaiian, where Bellator holds events every year and is marketable. Yet, on Tuesday, it was announced BKFC signed the 30-year-old.

Drake Riggs - April 5, 2021

The Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) has powered on as a dominant force in the bare-knuckle boxing world. To give back to the athletes, they’re now working on pension plans. “Our fighters are the most important asset of the company.” ‘We want to ensure that they are compensated not only on the night of the fight but also looked after in retirement. For each BKFC fight, money will be placed in a pension account for them to draw on upon retirement.” pic.twitter.com/1F91VZpx3J

Adam Martin - March 10, 2021

BKFC fighter Sheena Brandenburg has been charged in a deadly hit-and-run stemming from this past summer that left one man dead. According to 9&10 News, “State police say Sheena Brandenburg hit a motorcyclist from behind around 1 a.m. in August and drove away. The rider, Grayling resident Troy Lambert, died of his injuries. Both Brandenburg and Lambert were at a local tavern before the crash. Brandenburg, a 37-year-old Gaylord resident, has had a warrant out for her arrest since October. Police received a tip in November that she was living in Missouri. She was arrested by local law enforcement and extradited back to Michigan for her arraignment on March 8. Brandenburg is charged with reckless driving and failing to stop at the scene of a deadly accident. Her bond is set at $250,000.”

Tom Taylor - March 8, 2021

Former UFC star Paige VanZant says she knows the date and opponent for her next fight, but is unable to reveal the details just yet. VanZant parted ways with the UFC in summer of 2020, and promptly signed with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC).

Cole Shelton - March 5, 2021

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship is looking to add Junior dos Santos and Alistair Overeem to their heavyweight roster. It was recently revealed both dos Santos and Overeem were removed from the heavyweight ranks. Shortly thereafter, it was reported both men were released from the promotion and they both confirmed the news on their social media.

Tom Taylor - March 1, 2021

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship star Paige VanZant says she has fight news coming soon. VanZant entered the combat sports limelight as a member of the UFC roster, quickly becoming one of the promotion’s biggest stars. In mid-2020, however, she parted ways with the mixed martial arts promotion and signed with BKFC.

Christopher Taylor - February 18, 2021

Former UFC standout turned Bare Knuckle boxer Paige VanZant electrified social media Thursday, drawing a hilarious reaction from former welterweight champion Tyron Woodley. VanZant made her BKFC debut earlier this month at the promotions KnuckleMania event. Unfortunately for ’12 Gauge’, she wound up suffering a unanimous decision loss to Britain Hart that evening.

Drake Riggs - February 16, 2021

Featherweight fan favorite and WEC alum Leonard Garcia retired from MMA in 2014. In 2019, however, he returned to action for some bare-knuckle boxing. 1-1 in his first two Bare-Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) appearances, Garcia is now set to headline the promotion’s next event. On March 19, “Bad Boy” will be taking on Joe Elmore (2-0 in BKB, 13-12 in MMA) in the Biloxi Civic Center in Mississippi. The co-main event will feature a bantamweight showdown pitting 46-year-old former WBO junior welterweight champion DeMarcus Corley (55-33-1 in boxing) against BKFC stalwart Reggie Barnett Jr. (5-2 in BKB, 3-4 in MMA).

Drake Riggs - February 9, 2021

This past Friday night at BKFC: KnuckleMania, Paige VanZant had her bare-knuckle boxing debut spoiled by the promotional veteran, Britain Hart. What immediately followed was one of the more talked about post-fight interviews in recent memory. Taking to the mic, Hart described herself as not a person but “a f*cking feeling.” Then proceeded to tell viewers and spectators alike that they were all going to feel what’s coming.

Cole Shelton - February 8, 2021

Shaquille O’Neal, a four-time NBA champion and a three-time Finals MVP, plans to become an investor in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. At KnuckleMania on Friday night, O’Neal was in attendance for the event. Not only was there watching as a fan, but it was also a business meeting as he revealed he plans to become an investor in the company.

Christopher Taylor - February 6, 2021

Quentin Henry entered last night’s BKFC bout with UFC veteran Chris Leben in hopes of earning his third straight first round stoppage. Henry (12-6 MMA, 2-1 BKFC) had most previously competed at BKFC 15, where he needed just 25-seconds to finish Jason Fann.

Chris Taylor - February 6, 2021

Former UFC standout Paige VanZant has issued a lengthy statement after suffering a loss in her BKFC debut yesterday evening. VanZant signed with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship last year, this after fighting out her contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.