The year 2021 was the fourth year in the history of the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, a bare-knuckle fighting promotion based in Philadelphia. The year consisted of 13 events, including an inaugural Fight Night event alongside nine title fights. The promotion also saw the inception of the new Cruiserweight division and its inaugural title fight at BKFC 18.
Background 2021 season is expected to start with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship: KnuckleMania. BKFC is available on PPV all over the world and on FITE TV.
BKFC 2021 Awards The following fighters won the BKFC year-end awards for 2022 BKFC Fighter of the Year 2022: Luis Palomino BKFC Female Fighter of the Year 2022: Britain Hart BKFC Fight of the Year 2022: Taylor Starling vs. Charisa Sigala BKFC Knockout of the Year 2022: Joe Riggs over Melvin Guillard
List of events
# Event Date Venue Location 1 BKFC Knucklemania RP Funding Center Lakeland, Florida, USA 2 BKFC: Bare Knuckle Kingdom The Sea Galleri Phuket, Thailand 3 BKFC 16: Garcia vs. Elmore Biloxi Civic Center Biloxi, Mississippi, USA 4 BKFC 17: Tate vs. Burns Boutwell Memorial Auditorium Birmingham, Alabama, USA 5 BKFC 18: Beltran vs. Shewmaker Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Florida, USA 6 BKFC 19: VanZant vs. Ostovich Florida State Fairgrounds Tampa Bay, Florida, USA 7 BKFC 20: Bedford vs. Barnett Mississippi Coast Coliseum Biloxi, Mississippi, USA 8 BKFC 21: Cochrane vs. Burns Ralston Arena Omaha, Nebraska, USA 9 BKFC Fight Night Montana: Riggs vs. Guillard First Interstate Arena Billings, Montana, USA 10 BKFC Fight Night Wichita: Rickels vs. Lane Hartman Arena Park City, Kansas, USA 11 BKFC Fight Night New York: Beltran vs. Adams Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino Event Center Salamanca, New York, USA 12 BKFC 22 Miami: Lombard vs. Hunt James L. Knight Center Miami, Florida, USA 13 BKFC Fight Night Tampa: Brown vs. Taylor Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa Tampa, Florida, USA 14 BKFC Thailand 1: The Game Changer Royal Cliff Hotels Group Pattaya, Thailand
BKFC KnuckleMania
BKFC KnuckleMania was a bare-knuckle fighting event held by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship on February 5, 2021, in Miami, USA.
Background Former UFC star Paige VanZant made her bare-knuckle fighting debut in the main event.
Chris Leben made his combat sports retirement appearance against Quentin Henry.
Uly Diaz was initially scheduled to compete on the card, but was eventually removed from the card due to an unknown reason.
Bonus awards
The following fighters were awarded bonuses: Fight of the Night: Taylor Starling vs. Charisa Sigala
Results BKFC KnuckleMania Weight Class Method Round Time NotesWomen's Featherweight 57 kg Britain Hartdef. Paige VanZantDecision (unanimous)52:0049-46, 49-46, 49-46Lightweight 61.5 kg Dat Nguyendef. Johnny Bedford (c)Decision (unanimous)52:00Heavyweight 120 kg Chris Lebendef. Quentin HenryTKO (punches)11:07Lightweight 62.5 kg Martin Browndef. Zach ZaneKO (punch)21.28Light Heavyweight 84 kg Lorenzo Huntdef. Rob MorrowKO (punch)42:00Featherweight 57 kg John Chalbeckdef. Greg BonoKO (punch)30:28Light Heavyweight 84 kg Haim Gozalidef. John McAllisterTKO (punch)21:08Heavyweight 120 kg Dillon Clecklerdef. Chris JensenTKO (punch)10:34Women's Featherweight 57 kg Taylor Starlingdef. Charisa SigalaDecision (unanimous)52:0050-43, 50-43, 49-44 Preliminary CardLightweight 61.5 kg Travis Thompsondef. Dave MorganTKO (retirement)20:22Lightweight 61.5 kg Jarod Grantdef. Brandon LambertKO (punch)31:11
BKFC: Bare Knuckle Kingdom
BKFC: Bare Knuckle Kingdom is a bare-knuckle fighting event by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship in partnership with Full Metal Dojo held on March 6, 2021, in Thailand.
Background In the main event, Steve Banks faced Nikolay Gussev and in the co-main event and Tee Jay Chang faced Fabiano Hawthorne.
Results BKFC: Bare Knuckle Kingdom Weight Class Method Round Time NotesHeavyweight 120 kg Steve Banksdef. Nikolay GussevTKO (doctor stoppage)12:00Welterweight 76 kg Fabiano Hawthornedef. Tee Jay ChangTKO (retirement)42:00W.Strawweight 54 kg Souris Manfredidef. Kesorn SaenlakhonKO (punch)1Middleweight 80 kg Jonny Tellodef. Jean Carlos PereiraKO (punch)2Lightweight 68 kg Vlad Vokhmintsevdef. Naeem BinharTKO4Bantamweight 62.5 kg Kajonpong Suwanteedef. Rockie BactolKO (punch)20:37W.Flyweight 54 kg Po Denmandef. Ketmanee ChasingKO (punch)31:57Middleweight 77 kg Gilberto Patrociniodef. Daniel KerrTKO (doctor stoppage)32:00Featherweight 65 kg Tetee Denmandef. Omer SemetKO (punch)10:42Welterweight 74 kg Kristof Kirschdef. Sriracha SiriphanaKO21:08Flyweight 57 kg Mega Borkhuudef. Fanta FairtexTKO (doctor stoppage)32:00
BKFC 16: Garcia vs. Elmore
BKFC 16: Garcia vs. Elmore was a bare-knuckle fighting event held by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship on March 19, 2021, in Biloxi, Mississippi, USA.
Background The event was headlined by Leonard Garcia and Joe Elmore in a lightweight bout.
Former WBO Junior Welterweight World Champion DeMarcus Corley made his bare-knuckle boxing debut at this event against Reggie Barnett Jr.
Bonus awards
The following fighters were awarded bonuses: Fight of the Night: David Diaz vs. Spencer Ruggeri Knockout of the Night: Arnold Adams
Results BKFC 16: Garcia vs. Elmore Weight Class Method Round Time NotesSuper Welterweight 70 kg Leonard Garciadef. Joe ElmoreDecision (unanimous)52:0050-45, 50-45, 49-46Lightweight 62.5 kg Reggie Barnett Jr.def. DeMarcus CorleyTKO (retirement)42:00Heavyweight 120 kg Arnold Adamsdef. Bobo O'BannonTKO (punches)11:58Middleweight 75 kg Kaleb Harrisdef. Noah CutterTKO (doctor stoppage)12:00Light Heavyweight 84 kg Scott O'Shaughnessydef. Melvin GuillardTKO (punches)10:46Heavyweight 120 kg Jason Fishdef. Adrian MilesTKO (punches)31:20Lightweight 62.5 kg David Diazdef. Spencer RuggeriDecision (majority)52:0047-47, 48-45, 48-45Middleweight 75 kg Elvin Britodef. Brad KellyDecision (unanimous)52:0048-47, 50-45, 49-47Middleweight 75 kg Zion Tomlinsondef. Tyler HillTKO (punches)11:40Light Heavyweight 84 kg Ryan Jonesdef. Eric ThompsonTKO (injury)22:00
BKFC 17: Tate vs. Burns
BKFC 17: Tate vs. Burns was a bare-knuckle fighting event by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship held on April 30, 2021, at the Boutwell Memorial Auditorium in Birmingham, Alabama.
Bonus awards
The following fighters were awarded bonuses: Fight of the Night: Bobo O'Bannon vs. Zach Calmus Knockout of the Night: Ronnie Rogers
Results BKFC 17: Tate vs. Burns Weight Class Method Round Time NotesHeavyweight 120 kg Frank Tatedef. Josh BurnsTKO (corner stoppage)31:02Catchweight 82.5 kg Mike Richmandef. Marcel StampsTKO (shoulder injury)11:11Catchweight 88.5 kg Lorenzo Huntdef. Josh DyerTKO (referee stoppage)50:52Super Welterweight 70 kg Ronnie Rogersdef. Dimitri AngeliniTKO (punch)11:37Heavyweight 120 kg Bobo O'Bannondef. Zach CalmusTKO (doctor stoppage)22:00Cruiserweight 93 kg Ezatullah Kakardef. Chris SarroKO (punch)10:46Light Heavyweight 84 kg Robert Washingtondef. Ryan JonesTKO (doctor stoppage)20:52Super Welterweight 70 kg Tom Shoaffdef. Nathan MitchellTKO (punches)11:38 Preliminary CardWelterweight 66 kg Rusty Crowderdef. Daniel GaryKO (punches)11:00Lightweight 61 kg Anthony Reticdef. Raymond LockerKO (punches)10:38
BKFC 18: Beltran vs. Shewmaker
BKFC 18: Beltran vs. Shewmaker was a bare-knuckle fighting event by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship held on June 26, 2021, in Miami, Florida.
Results BKFC 18: Beltran vs. Shewmaker Weight Class Method Round Time NotesHeavyweight 120 kg Joey Beltran (c)def. Sam ShewmakerDecision (unanimous)52:00Cruiserweight 92 kg Héctor Lombarddef. Joe RiggsTKO (doctor stoppage)41:07Middleweight 79 kg Thiago Alvesdef. Ulysses DiazTKO (doctor stoppage)32:00Lightweight 70 kg Luis Palomino (c)def. Tyler GoodjohnDecision (unanimous)52:00Women's Featherweight 57 kg Pearl Gonzalezdef. Charisa SigalaDecision (unanimous)52:0050-45, 50-45, 50-45Welterweight 77 kg Julian Lanedef. Jake BostwickDecision (unanimous)52:0050-44, 50-43, 48-45Featherweight 57 kg Jarod Grantdef. Travis ThompsonTKO (doctor stoppage)40:35Lightweight 70 kg Eddie Hochdef. Bruce LutchmedialDecision (unanimous)52:0048-47, 48-47, 49-46Heavyweight 120 kg Steve Héréliusdef. Juan TorresDecision (split)52:0048-47, 47-48, 49-46Middleweight 82.5 kg Francesco Ricchidef. Brian MaxwellTKO (punches)21:25 Preliminary CardLightweight 70 kg Montaser Aboughalydef. Luke ParsonKO (punches)10:34Catchweight 72 kg Josh Alvarezdef. Paul TeagueKO (punches)10:17Welterweight 75 kg Yosdenis Cedenodef. Alan ArzenoDecision (split)52:0046-49, 49-46, 49-46Light Heavyweight 85 kg Eduardo Concepciondef. Gabe BrownKO (punch)10:05
BKFC 19: VanZant vs. Ostovich
BKFC 19: VanZant vs. Ostovich was a bare-knuckle fighting event by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship held on July 23, 2021, at the Florida State Fairgrounds Tampa Bay, Florida USA.
Background The event was headlined by a bare-knuckle boxing rematch Paige VanZant and Rachael Ostovich, who previously fought in mixed martial arts at UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw on January 19, 2019.
Also announced for the card, Britain Hart faced Jenny Savage.
Also featured on the card were three "Platform Showdown Fights", amateur bouts between internet celebrities. Rapper Blueface fought TikTok star Kane Trujillo; YouTuber and Musical artist Nick Ireland faced TikToker DK Money; and TikToker Evil Hero met fellow TikToker Dakota Olave.
Bonus awards
The following fighters were awarded bonuses: Fight of the Night: Paige VanZant vs. Rachael Ostovich Knockout of the Night: Jared Warren
Results BKFC 19: VanZant vs. Ostovich Weight Class Method Round Time NotesWomen's Flyweight 57 kg Rachael Ostovichdef. Paige VanZantDecision (unanimous)52:0048-47, 48-47, 49-46Heavyweight 120 kg Arnold Adamsdef. Michael TerrillKO (punch)30:38Women's Flyweight 57 kg Britain Hartdef. Jenny SavageTKO (referee stoppage)31:55Women's Flyweight 57 kg Taylor Starlingdef. Cassie RobbTKO (referee stoppage)10:28Flyweight 57 kg Geane Herreradef. Abdiel VelazquezTKO (punches)20:14Lightweight 70 kg Bluefacedef. Kane TrujilloDecision (unanimous)32:00Platform Showdown Fight (Gloved)Catchweight 86.2 kg Nick Irelanddef. DK MoneyDecision (majority)32:00Platform Showdown Fight (Gloved)Catchweight 63.5 kg Evil Herodef. Dakota OlaveDecision (unanimous)32:00Platform Showdown Fight (Gloved)Light Heavyweight 84 kg Terry Janoskidef. Richard CarstenTKO (punch)11:55Welterweight 75 kg Antonio Sotodef. Josh SikesDecision (unanimous)52:0050-45, 49-46, 48-47Light Heavyweight 84 kg Jared Warrendef. Zion TomlinsonKO (punch)11:14 Preliminary CardLight Heavyweight 84 kg Jay Jacksondef. Damon BellKO (punch)31:58Heavyweight 120 kg Christopher Jensendef. Kyle McElroyTKO (punches)11:17Welterweight 75 kg Jordan Nashdef. Branden AllenDecision (unanimous)52:0048-47, 48-47, 48-47
BKFC 20: Bedford vs. Barnett
BKFC 20: Bedford vs. Barnett was a bare-knuckle fighting event by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship held on August 20, 2021.
Background The event was headlined by a title rematch for the vacant BKFC Bantamweight Championship between Johnny Bedford and Reggie Barnett. The two previously fought for the title at BKFC 6 on June 22, 2019, where Bedford won by unanimous decision.
Former UFC fighter Alan Belcher made his bare-knuckle debut against Tony Lopez.
Results