Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) will utilize the revolutionary new Real Time Scoring, as offered by the Kansas Athletic Commission, at BKFC 11: Hernandez vs. Wilson, this Saturday, March 14, at INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas. In doing so, BKFC will become the second promotion ever in Kansas, and the first bare knuckle promotion to employ the system which immediately allows fighters, their corners, and fans to know the judges’ round by round scores.
“BKFC 11” will be broadcast across the United States and Canada, exclusively on pay-per-view (9 pm ET/6 pm PT) through MultiVision Media, Inc., on all major television distribution outlets for $29.99. It will also be available to BKFC’s international broadcast partners worldwide and via stream to all in-home and out-of-home connected devices through FITE.
Tickets for the live event are on sale now and can be purchased online atwww.selectaseat.com, by phone at 855-733-SEAT (7328) and in-person at the Select-A-Seat Box Office at INTRUST Bank Arena.
“I was very intrigued when I learned that the Kansas Athletic Commission was going to start offering on March 1 all fight promoters with events in their state the option of using Real Time Scoring, but I wanted to see it in use first before I made a decision about BKFC 11,” said BKFC founder and president David Feldman. “After seeing it executed flawlessly by the Kansas Commission at last Friday’s Invicta MMA event, coupled with the overwhelmingly positive response following that show from fighters and fight fans, I knew that this was absolutely the right way to go for BKFC.”
Real Time Scoring, also known as open scoring, is currently offered exclusively in North America by the Kansas Athletic Commission. Variations of this system have been used by the World Boxing Council and in Glory Kickboxing.
“After partnering with Shannon Knapp and Invicta Fighting Championships to utilize Real Time Scoring last Friday, we received nothing but positive feedback from the fighters and their camps,” said Kansas Athletic Commission Executive Director Adam Roorbach. “While absolutely not mandatory, Real Time Scoring is available to all fight promoters and promotions in the State of Kansas. We are proud to be hosting BKFC 11, and look forward to having them utilize this system.”
BKFC 11 Full Lineup Announced for Event Headlined by Wichita Native & 2016 Olympic Bronze Medalist for the U.S. Nico Hernandez Live on Pay-Per-View from INTRUST Bank Arena
WICHITA, KAN. (February 27, 2020) – The full lineup of exciting Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) showdowns on Saturday, March 14 will feature top local talent and more, all leading up to the BKFC 11 main event with hometown fan favorite, Wichita native and 2016 Olympic bronze medalist for the U.S., Nico Hernandez stepping into the ring against fellow Wichita native Chancey Wilson at INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, Kan. and live on pay-per-view.
“BKFC 11” will be broadcast across the United States and Canada, exclusively on pay-per-view through MultiVision Media, Inc., on all major television distribution outlets for $29.99. It will also be available to BKFC’s international broadcast partners worldwide and via stream to all in-home and out-of-home connected devices throughFITE.
Tickets for the live event are on sale now and can be purchased online atwww.selectaseat.com, by phone at 855-733-SEAT (7328) and in-person at the Select-A-Seat Box Office at INTRUST Bank Arena.
“For a long time now, we’ve been wanting to bring BKFC to Kansas, so I could not be more excited that we are finally here,” said BKFC founder and president David Feldman. “I do not doubt that the two most popular and most decorated fighters in Kansas will deliver for their fans. It will be a great night of BKFC in Wichita, Kansas!”
Wichita native and former Bellator veteran Dave “Caveman” Rickels competes in a 175-pound bout in the co-main event, while hard-hitting bare knuckle heavyweight contender Sam Shewmaker returns to action to take on former Kronk Gym amateur standout Josh Burns in a special attraction.
The local flavor continues with a pair of all-Wichita showdowns as Bellator veteran, pro kickboxer and pro boxer Cody Carrillo faces 10-fight pro boxing veteranJeremiah Page in a 155-pound fight, while Bellator and Strikeforce veteran Joe Wilk matches up against Bellator veteran L.J. Hermrick in 165-pound action. Plus, Wichita native and former UFC contender Jake Lindsey battles Kenny Licea, who defeated Harris Stephenson by KO in BKFC action in November,in a 165-pound bout.
The lineup also includes UFC veteran Josh “The Dentist” Neer in a 185-pound attraction against hard-hitting Ronnie Forney, who will make his second BKFC start. In addition, Christine Ferea and Helen Peralta will meet in a 125-pound rematch of their BKFC 7 matchup in August that Peralta won by decision.
Rounding out the stacked card is the BKFC returns of Dakota Cochrane and Melvin Guillard in a 185-pound bout. Cochrane defeated Chris Leben on BKFC 6 in June, while Guillard retired due to a hand injury in defeat at BKFC 7 against Isaac Vallie-Flagg. Plus, Jacob Akin will add bare knuckle fighting to a resume that includes pro MMA, boxing and kickboxing, when he takes on Bellator veteran Miles McDonald in a 130-pound showdown.
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About Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship On June 2, 2018, Philadelphia-based Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) made combat sports history when it promoted the first legal, sanctioned and regulated bare knuckle event in the United States since 1889. “BKFC 1: The Beginning” took place in Cheyenne, Wyoming and featured 10 professional bouts, all under the auspices and control of the Wyoming Combative Sports Commission. BKFC uses only established fighters who have previously competed professionally in boxing, MMA, kickboxing and/or Muay Thai. All BKFC bouts are sanctioned and regulated by ABC member athletic commissions. For more information visitwww.bareknuckle.tv or follow on Twitter at https://twitter.com/bareknucklefc on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/bareknucklefc/ on YouTube athttps://www.youtube.com/ channel/UCEeMsInLdrUbIkbEcNm7g-A and on Facebook athttps://www.facebook.com/bareknucklefc.
BKFC Heavyweight Champion Chase Sherman Battles Joey Beltran, All-Action Brawlers Johnny Bedford & Charles Bennett Square-Off & Helen Peralta Faces Maia Kahunaele in Women’s Showdown
Plus! Gulfport’s Harris Stephenson Returns to Battle Kenny Licea, All from the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi
BILOXI, MS. (November 7, 2019) – A jam packed night of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship action will lead up to the highly anticipated main event rematch between Artem Lobov and Jason Knight on Saturday, November 16live on pay-per-view from the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, Miss.
The co-main event will see BKFC Heavyweight Champion and Mississippi-nativeChase Sherman defending his title against hard-hitting veteran Joey Beltran, plus BKFC staple Johnny Bedford battles Charles Bennett and Helen Peraltareturns to action after a victory on BKFC 7 to face former Ultimate Fighter competitor Maia Kahuanele.
“BKFC 9” will be broadcast across the United States and Canada, exclusively on pay-per-view through MultiVision Media, Inc., on all major television distribution outlets for $29.99. It will also be available to BKFC’s international broadcast partners worldwide and via stream to all in-home and out-of-home connected devices through FITE.
Tickets for the live event are on sale now at www.bareknuckle.tv or the Mississippi Coast Coliseum box office.
The lineup continues with Gulfport, Mississippi’s Harris Stephenson facing Missouri’s Kenny Licea in a 170-pound bout, Mississippi-native Kaleb Harris in a 165-pound clash against Delaware’s Jeff Chiffens, plus another Mississippi-native entering the ring when Adam Pellerano meets Joe Pegg in a 150-pound duel.
Rounding out the night are a pair of 205-pound clashes as Maine’s Chris Sarrobattles West Virginia’s John McAllister while Oregon’s Wes Combs steps in against Mississippi’s Adrian Miles.
Fighting out of D’lberville, Mississippi, Sherman won the BKFC title from Arnold Adams at BKFC 7 in August. Sherman has fought seven times in UFC and 13 of his 14 pro MMA wins have come by TKO or knockout. He’s undefeated in his last five pro fights, with four wins and a draw.
Beltran has quickly become a BKFC mainstay, compiling a 2-1-1 record, with a win and a draw coming against Tony Lopez in a pair of memorable fights, including a Fight of the Year contender in June 2018 on the first BKFC card (Watch their first fight HERE and behind the scenes before their rematch HERE). Fighting out of Carlsbad, California, Beltran’s last BKFC fight saw him stop Jamie Campbell in the second round in June.
Bedford is one of the most accomplished BKFC fighters since the company’s inception, having won all four of his bare knuckle fights, and most recently became the BKFC Lightweight Champion by defeating Reggie Barnett Jr. on BKFC 6 in June. He will be moving up in weight to take Ocala, Florida’s Bennett, who was defeated in his only BKFC outing, but has a long pro MMA career of delivering exciting action no matter where he’s fighting.
After an impressive amateur MMA career, Iowa’s Peralta won two of her three Invicta fights in 2018. She made her BKFC debut earlier this year, defeating Christine Ferea at BKFC 7 in August. She looks to build on that momentum when she takes on Victorville, California’s Kahaunaele, who competed on the Ultimate Fighter Season 26 and most recently dropped a UFC contest to Polyana Viana. She had previously put together a five-fight MMA win streak prior to being on Ultimate Fighter.
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About Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship On June 2, 2018, Philadelphia-based Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) made combat sports history when it promoted the first legal, sanctioned and regulated bare knuckle event in the United States since 1889. “BKFC 1: The Beginning” took place in Cheyenne, Wyoming and featured 10 professional bouts, all under the auspices and control of the Wyoming Combative Sports Commission. BKFC uses only established fighters who have previously competed professionally in boxing, MMA, kickboxing and/or Muay Thai. All BKFC bouts are sanctioned and regulated by ABC member athletic commissions. For more information visitwww.bareknuckle.tv or follow on Twitter at https://twitter.com/bareknucklefc on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/bareknucklefc/ on YouTube athttps://www.youtube.com/ channel/UCEeMsInLdrUbIkbEcNm7g-A and on Facebook athttps://www.facebook.com/bareknucklefc.
PHILADELPHIA (June 19, 2019) – Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) has partnered with Premier Sports who will air “BFKC 6: The Line is Drawn” live and exclusively in the U.K. beginning at 2:00 a.m. (GMT+1) on Sunday, June 23 from Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall in Tampa, Fla.
“BKFC 6: The Line is Drawn” will feature former boxing world champion Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi making his much-anticipated BKFC debut against former UFC veteran Artem “The Russian Hammer” Lobov.
Sharing insights from his training camp, Malignaggi commented, “To prepare for Artem I hit the punching bag a lot more, because Artem is basically a punching bag with legs. I wanted to get used to that and get my fists accustomed to it. This is going to be a painful night for Artem. This is a world-class fighter against a punching bag with feet… It ends with Lobov’s face falling off.”
Speaking exclusively to Premier Sports ahead of the fight, Lobov said, “I am delighted that fans in the U.K. will be able to see the fight live. Malignaggi talks a good fight, in the ring there is no place for words. He uses his hands for little slaps, I use mine to hammer faces.”
BKFC Founder and President David Feldman said, “BKFC is delighted to partner with Premier Sports in the U.K. and to show this event exclusively to their subscribers. We have had a lot of interest from U.K. fans in this fight and we are excited to partner with Premier Sports to bring top-class bare knuckle boxing and a real grudge match to the fans there.”
Richard Webb, COO of Premier Sports added, “There has been huge interest from fans to see this highly anticipated fight and we are thrilled to make BKFC 6 available live and exclusive on Premier Sports in the U.K.”
“BKFC 6: The Line is Drawn” will also feature UFC legend Chris Leben as he battles MMA veteran Dakota Cochrane, and the finale of the BKFC Lightweight Tournament between Reggie Barnett and Johnny Bedford.
Premier Sports is available in 16 million U.K. homes across Sky and Virgin platforms and to everyone via the Premier Player https://www.premierplayer.tv/. Via the Sky platform, Virgin TV and the Premier Player, the cost is £9.99 per month for new customers. Premier Sports customers on the Sky platform can also get free access to the Premier Player.
The event will be broadcast across the United States and Canada, exclusively on pay-per-view through MultiVision Media, Inc., on all major television distribution outlets for $39.99. It will also be available worldwide via stream to all in-home and out-of-home connected devices at FITE-TV and www.bareknuckle.tv.
Tickets for “BKFC 6: The Line Is Drawn” are available now exclusively atwww.bareknuckle.tv. Florida will become the latest state to host a BKFC event after previous contests have been held in Wyoming and Mississippi, plus an event that took place in Cancun, Mexico.
“BKFC 6: The Line is Drawn” Saturday, June 22 Live on Pay-Per-View from Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall in Tampa, Fla.
PHILADELPHIA (June 13, 2019) – Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) will give fans a behind the scenes look at former boxing world championPaulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi and UFC veteran Artem “The Russian Hammer” Lobov ahead of their highly anticipated bare knuckle grudge match on Saturday, June 22.
“The Road to Malignaggi vs. Lobov” offers a unique look at the buildup to this summer showdown as camera crews followed Malignaggi in New York and Lobov in Ireland as they prepare to headline “BKFC 6: The Line is Drawn” live on pay-per-view from Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall in Tampa, Fla.
The event will be broadcast across the United States and Canada, exclusively on pay-per-view through MultiVision Media, Inc., on all major television distribution outlets for $39.99. It will also be available worldwide via stream to all in-home and out-of-home connected devices at FITE-TV and www.bareknuckle.tv.
Tickets for “BKFC 6” are available now exclusively at www.bareknuckle.tv. Florida will become the latest state to host a BKFC event after previous contests have been held in Wyoming and Mississippi, plus an event that took place in Cancun, Mexico.
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About Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship On June 2, 2018, Philadelphia-based Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) made combat sports history when it promoted the first legal, sanctioned and regulated bare knuckle event in the United States since 1889. “BKFC 1: The Beginning” took place in Cheyenne, Wyoming and featured 10 professional bouts, all under the auspices and control of the Wyoming Combative Sports Commission. BKFC uses only established fighters who have previously competed professionally in boxing, MMA, kickboxing and/or Muay Thai. All BKFC bouts are sanctioned and regulated by ABC member athletic commissions. For more information visit www.bareknuckle.tv or follow on Twitter at @BareKnuckleFC, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/bareknucklefc and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bareknucklefc.
Former Boxing World Champion Randall Bailey Takes onBrazil’s Daniel Santos; Unbeaten Mixed Martial ArtistJamie Campbell Battles Joey Beltran; Julian Lane & Chicago’sTom Shoaff Match Up in Second BKFC Fights
Live on Pay-Per-View from Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall in Tampa, Fla.
PHILADELPHIA (June 5, 2019) – Three more toe-to-toe bare knuckle matchups have been added to the highly anticipated Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) event headlined by the Paulie Malignaggi vs. Artem Lobov grudge match Saturday, June 22 live on pay-per-view from Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall in Tampa, Fla.
Former two-division boxing champion Randall Bailey will face off against 24-year-old Brazilian MMA pro Daniel Santos in a 155-pound bout, and unbeaten mixed martial artist Jamie Campbell takes on Joey Beltran, who has engaged in two memorable BKFC fights against Tony Lopez, in a heavyweight contest.
Also returning to BKFC are MMA veterans Julian Lane and Tom Shoaff in a 165-pound attraction. Lane looks to bounce back from a BKFC loss to Leonard Garcia, while Shoaff hopes to build on his BKFC victory over Diego Garijo.
“We’re thrilled to be adding three more matchups of this caliber to the BKFC 6 lineup and there’s still more to come,” said BKFC founder and president David Feldman. “Fight fans who join us in Tampa and those who tune-in on June 22 are going to be treated to a wide variety of fighting styles in some really compelling bare knuckle matchups. As always, we’re promising lots of action and these three fights will be no exception.”
“As a former two-division, three-time world champion in boxing, I feel that I am tailor made for bare knuckle fighting,” said Bailey. “I grew up fighting bare knuckle on the streets of Miami and I know how to win at this game. I was the bare knuckle knockout king before I ever competed in boxing.”
“I am honored and grateful to be invited to fight at BKFC 6,” said Santos. “I’m a veteran of boxing and a capoeira fighter with a lot of experience. I am well prepared and confident that on June 22 I will knock out Randall Bailey! You will see, I’ll give a great fight and surprise everyone. I’m going to grab this opportunity and make a statement so that I can continue to compete in BKFC.”
The main card for this can’t-miss night of fights will begin at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT and will see former UFC veteran Chris Leben in his second BKFC attraction, as he takes on longtime Bellator standout Brennan Ward. Plus, the finals of the BKFC Lightweight Tournament will pit Reggie Barnett againstJohnny Bedford in a showdown for the BKFC Lightweight Championship. All leading up to the main event pitting former boxing world champion Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi against UFC veteran Artem “The Russian Hammer” Lobov.
The event will be broadcast across the United States and Canada, exclusively on pay-per-view through MultiVision Media, Inc., on all major television distribution outlets for $39.99. It will also be available worldwide via stream to all in-home and out-of-home connected devices at FITE-TV and www.bareknuckle.tv.
Tickets for “BKFC 6: The Line Is Drawn” are available now exclusively atwww.bareknuckle.tv. Florida will become the latest state to host a BKFC event after previous contests have been held in Wyoming and Mississippi, plus an event that took place in Cancun, Mexico.
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About Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship On June 2, 2018, Philadelphia-based Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) made combat sports history when it promoted the first legal, sanctioned and regulated bare knuckle event in the United States since 1889. “BKFC 1: The Beginning” took place in Cheyenne, Wyoming and featured 10 professional bouts, all under the auspices and control of the Wyoming Combative Sports Commission. BKFC uses only established fighters who have previously competed professionally in boxing, MMA, kickboxing and/or Muay Thai. All BKFC bouts are sanctioned and regulated by ABC member athletic commissions. For more information visit www.bareknuckle.tv or follow on Twitter at @BareKnuckleFC, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/bareknucklefc and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bareknucklefc.
BKFC Returns Saturday, June 22 Headlined by Malignaggi vs. Lobov Grudge Match Live on Pay-Per-View from Florida State Fairgrounds Entertainment Hall in Tampa, Fla.
Also Featuring UFC Veteran Chris Leben Against Bellator Standout Brennan Ward!
NEW YORK (May 20, 2019) – Former boxing world champion Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi and UFC veteran Artem “The Russian Hammer” Lobov went face-to-face Monday at a heated press conference in New York to officially announce their Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship showdown the headlines action on Saturday, June 22 live on pay-per-view from Florida State Fairgrounds Entertainment Hall in Tampa, Fla.
Also squaring off Monday before they battle on BKFC 6 were UFC veteran Chris Leben and longtime Bellator standout Brennan Ward. Televised coverage on June 22 will begin at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. and also feature Reggie Barnett against Johnny Bedford in a showdown for the BKFC Lightweight Championship.
The event will be broadcast across the United States and Canada, exclusively on pay-per-view through MultiVision Media, Inc., on all major television distribution outlets for $39.99. It will also be available worldwide via stream to all in-home and out-of-home connected devices at FITE-TV and www.bareknuckle.tv.
Tickets for “BKFC 6” are available tomorrow at 10 a.m. ET exclusively atwww.bareknuckle.tv. Florida will become the latest state to host a BKFC event after previous contests have been held in Wyoming and Mississippi, plus an event that took place in Cancun, Mexico.
Here is what the press conference participants had to say Monday:
PAULIE MALIGNAGGI
“I’ve always been known as one of the toughest guys in boxing. Lobov is known as a punching bag with a loud mouth.
“If I had it my way, I’d knock him out in the last round. I want to pummel him from start to finish. He’s going to come out trying hard, and then he’s going to get gun shy. He’s going to hesitate to even take a step.
“I’m always looking for my next challenge. I wasn’t planning on this, but it was sold to me, and it appealed to me. Artem is a punching bag and I usually hit that for free.
“I never lie, because I don’t have to fear anyone. You only lie because you’re afraid. Why are Lobov and his team lying? You know why. I don’t care what they think. I’m going to put this guy out next month.
“As I train, I realize that my hands are like razor blades. Get a good look at Lobov’s face, because next month I’m going to make it look like a road map with lines all over it.”
ARTEM LOBOV
“I feel I have the upper hand in this fight. With age, it’s easier to get knocked out. He’s never hurt anybody in the ring, so it’s going to be a bad matchup for him.
“I see me stopping him. He doesn’t want it anymore. In order to be a fighter and really compete, you have to have the fire. His fire is long gone.
“My strategy is to come in there and shove my fist down his throat. It’s personal now with the way he’s been talking and acting. I’m going to put him away.
“Paulie likes to hide behind the jab and feint. He never lets his hands go. He just hides and tries to make it to the end of the fight.
“I’m going to let it all go in that ring on June 22. I’m going to be the ‘Russian Hammer’ from the start until the finish. I want to meet him in the ring and put him away like true warriors do.
“I never wrap my hands. Not when I spar, not when I hit the bag or anything. It’s made them tougher. They may not look pretty, but they do a lot of damage.
“It’s game over for Paulie. I heard he’s known as the ‘Magic Man’, but I just hope he doesn’t disappear before the fight.”
CHRIS LEBEN
“Bare knuckle is definitely an exciting sport. It’s all of the good stuff. Two guys going toe-to-toe. It’s what I do best and it puts me in a dangerous position to hurt my opponents. When I first saw BKFC I felt like this sport was made for me.
“You can’t really cover up without the glove as a shield in bare knuckle, so it changes how you defend. But it also changes how you hit and where your range is at.
“I think this sport was made for me and it’s going to show in the fight. We’re both heavy hitters. Brennan will be my toughest BKFC opponent to date and I’m not taking him lightly. I’m riding a resurgence and it’s not going to stop.
“I’m pulling out all the stops and doing everything I can to prepare. Because on June 22, I’m knocking him out.”
BRENNAN WARD
“Training camp has been going great. I’m really excited because I’ve been waiting to do a bare knuckle fight for a while. I knew right away that this was for me.
“I think I have a great skillset for bare knuckle. I’m quick and quick on my feet. I’m strong and have heavy hands. I’m able to brawl or box.
“It’s basically a normal training camp for me, but with more boxing than ever. I’ve always boxed a lot anyway, so it’s something that’s come natural for me.
“I’m a different fighter than who Leben has fought in BKFC. This sport is so well-suited for me. I just want to brawl. I wasn’t as into the other disciplines in MMA, so when BKFC came around, I was ready to sign on.
“I think I’m going to be a force to be reckoned with at BKFC. I’m going to find a nice home and do work in the ring.”
DAVID FELDMAN, BKFC Founder & President
“This event is getting the kind of coverage it truly warrants. This is going to be a stacked pay-per-view event from top to bottom.
“The main event here is a highly anticipated battle. This is the biggest bare knuckle fight in history.
“We’re really happy with what we’ve been able to build. If you’ve seen any of our events, you know that it’s non-stop action from the start. We’re proud of what we’ve delivered to fight fans.
“People originally said that Artem had no chance against Paulie, but once they saw Artem in his first BKFC fight, fans can see that this might be tougher than anticipated. This is different than boxing and different than MMA. Getting hit with that bare knuckle is different than anything you’ve experienced before.
“I’m so excited to bring this fight to Florida and bring this fight to their fans. June 22 live on pay-per-view, this is one you surely do not want to miss.”
BRIAN RICCO, Executive Producer & Distributor
“We’re very excited to be on our sixth BKFC show in less than a year. Everything has been amazing. We’re expecting a big fight between two great fighters and we’re looking forward to bringing this event to fight fans around the world.”
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About Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship On June 2, 2018, Philadelphia-based Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) made combat sports history when it promoted the first legal, sanctioned and regulated bare knuckle event in the United States since 1889. “BKFC 1: The Beginning” took place in Cheyenne, Wyoming and featured 10 professional bouts, all under the auspices and control of the Wyoming Combative Sports Commission. BKFC uses only established fighters who have previously competed professionally in boxing, MMA, kickboxing and/or Muay Thai. All BKFC bouts are sanctioned and regulated by ABC member athletic commissions. For more information visit www.bareknuckle.tv or follow on Twitter at @BareKnuckleFC, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/bareknucklefc and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bareknucklefc.
Stacked Night of BKFC 6 Action Features UFC Veteran Chris Leben Against Bellator Standout Brennan Ward, Plus! BKFC Lightweight Championship Showdown Between Reggie Barnett & Johnny Bedford
Tickets on Sale Friday!
PHILADELPHIA (May 20, 2019) – A highly anticipated grudge match between former boxing world champion Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi and UFC veteran Artem “The Russian Hammer” Lobov will headline Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) action on Saturday, June 22 live on pay-per-view from Florida State Fairgrounds Entertainment Hall in Tampa, Fla.
The televised portion of the can’t-miss night of fights will begin at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT and will also see former UFC Veteran Chris Leben in his second BKFC attraction, as he takes on longtime Bellator standout Brennan Ward. Plus, the finals of the BKFC Lightweight Tournament will pit Reggie Barnett against Johnny Bedford in a showdown for the BKFC Lightweight Championship.
“Coming off of our epic battle on April 6 between Artem Lobov and Jason Knight, the momentum is incredible coming into BKFC 6,” said BKFC Founder and President David Feldman. “With the feud that Paulie and Artem have already, this promises to be super exciting. This is bare knuckle and everything changes when they fight bare knuckle. So, whatever plans you have can go out the window quickly. That’s what makes this so exciting and why I am so excited for this fight. I think we will have a lot of eyes on this event and we are very happy to be hosting this in Tampa, one of the best fight markets in the country. I truly can’t wait for June 22.”
The event will be broadcast across the United States and Canada, exclusively on pay-per-view through MultiVision Media, Inc., on all major television distribution outlets for $39.99. It will also be available worldwide via stream to all in-home and out-of-home connected devices at FITE-TV and www.bareknuckle.tv.
Tickets for “BKFC 6” will be available starting Thursday, May 16 exclusively atwww.bareknuckle.tv. Florida will become the latest state to host a BKFC event after previous contests have been held in Wyoming and Mississippi, plus an event that took place in Cancun, Mexico.
Malignaggi vs. Lobov will see the much-discussed rivalry between Malignaggi and MMA star Conor McGregor come to a head when Malignaggi squares off against one of McGregor’s teammates and friends in Lobov. Prior to Lobov’s BKFC debut in which he defeated Jason Knight in April, Malignaggi and Lobov exchanged words and nearly came to blows at a media day in New York. With the June 22 fight date set and buzz continuing to grow, they will soon settle the conflict in the ring.
“I’m very excited to make my BKFC debut and for this fight to take place in Florida. Bringing BKFC to another state is only going to help this sport grow faster and attract more attention to bare knuckle fighting,” said Malignaggi. “It’s no secret, Artem and I have some bad blood between us. I don’t like him and I’m looking forward to sinking my fists into his face. June 22 can’t come soon enough. Fans are going to really enjoy this one as the biggest BKFC card yet, and it’ll set the stage for even bigger and better events as more fighters realize that they can make a good living and have a great career in this discipline of combat sports.”
“I’m really looking forward to this fight,” said Lobov. “Paulie has been doing a lot of talking. He hasn’t been able to keep his mouth shut, but on June 22 I’m going to silence him. He’s an old boxer who’s coming off of the couch. He’s only doing this because he didn’t manage his money better, so now he has to take a fight against me, ‘The Russian Hammer.’ I expect to maul Paulie in there. He doesn’t know what he’s in for. I’m going to introduce him to some things that he’s never seen before and this is going to be a real fight.”
A two-time, two-division boxing champion, Malignaggi joined BKFC earlier this year and plans to show off the skills that made him a world champion at 147 and 140-pounds. Representing his hometown of Brooklyn, New York, Malignaggi faced top competition and big stars such as Miguel Cotto, Zab Judah, Ricky Hatton, Shawn Porter, Danny Garcia, Amir Khan and more throughout a career that spanned sixteen years. He put on title-winning performances against Lovemore Ndou and Vyacheslav Senchenko while also defeating Judah, Juan Diaz and Pablo Cesar Cano amongst his notable wins. He has not fought since 2017, but remains a staple of the of the combat sports world through his renowned work as a color commentator and analyst.
A 32-year-old fighter from Russia, Lobov defeated Jason Knight by unanimous decision in an exciting brawl to make his BKFC debut successful in April. Lobov made his name on Season 22 of The Ultimate Fighter as part of Team McGregor, where he worked his way to the finals of the tournament before losing to Ryan Hall. Now fighting out of Ireland, where he continues to train with McGregor, he challenged Cub Swanson in a UFC main event in 2016, after picking up victories over Chris Avila and Alex White. While he lost his last three UFC bouts by decision, he owns 13 professional MMA wins.
Originally from Portland, Oregon and now training out of Chula Vista, California, Leben first emerged onto the scene in the inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter before going on to become a WEC Middleweight Champion. A veteran of over 20 UFC events, his career includes a five-fight win streak that led to a challenge of Anderson Silva. Leben will be opposed by New London, Connecticut’s Ward, a 30-year-old veteran of 15 Bellator events, including a victory in Bellator’s Season Nine Middleweight Tournament.
A pro boxer with a 6-2 record, the 32-year-old Barnett has earned his spot in the Lightweight Tournament Final with a victory over Rusty Crowder in April. Fighting out of Chesapeake, Virginia, Barnett will face Forth Worth, Texas native Bedford to capture the first BKFC Lightweight Title. Bedford punched his ticket to the final with an April triumph over Abdiel Velazquez.
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About Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship On June 2, 2018, Philadelphia-based Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) made combat sports history when it promoted the first legal, sanctioned and regulated bare knuckle event in the United States since 1889. “BKFC 1: The Beginning” took place in Cheyenne, Wyoming and featured 10 professional bouts, all under the auspices and control of the Wyoming Combative Sports Commission. BKFC uses only established fighters who have previously competed professionally in boxing, MMA, kickboxing and/or Muay Thai. All BKFC bouts are sanctioned and regulated by ABC member athletic commissions. For more information visit www.bareknuckle.tv or follow on Twitter at @BareKnuckleFC, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/bareknucklefc and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bareknucklefc.
