Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship United Kingdom (BKFC UK) is the British branch of the American bare-knuckle boxing promotion Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC). In September 2022, it was announced that Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship had formed Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship UK (BKFC UK) by acquiring the UK-based Bare Fist Boxing Association (BFBA). As of September 2026, BKFC UK has held 17 events, all of which have taken place in England. Scotland is scheduled to make its debut in November 2026.
History The United Kingdom is a significant market for modern bare-knuckle boxing, hosting prominent promotions such as Bare Knuckle Boxing (BKB™) in Coventry, Bad To The Bone (BTTB) in Stoke-on-Trent, and Ultimate Bare Knuckle Boxing (UBKB) in Warrington.
Before acquiring the Bare Fist Boxing Association and officially establishing BKFC UK, Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship made its debut in the United Kingdom with BKFC 27: London, which took place on 20 August 2022. The event was headlined by MMA veterans Mike Perry and Michael Page.
Ring
BKFC UK hosts its matches in a distinctive circular four-rope ring, colloquially known as the "Squared Circle." The Squared Circle uniquely features two scratch lines, placed three feet apart at the center, a nod to the historic Broughton Rules (particularly the London Prize Ring Rules) that once governed 19th-century bare-knuckle fighting. A key rule mandates that fighters begin each round with their front foot on these scratch lines, a stance commonly referred to as "Toe the Line." This directive, coupled with the subsequent command "Knuckle Up," signals the start of each round.
First event The inaugural BKFC UK event, BKFC Fight Night: Newcastle, was scheduled for 26 November 2022 in Newcastle upon Tyne. The main event featured a BKFC heavyweight title eliminator between Mick Terrill of Newcastle and Thailand-based American fighter Steve ‘Panda’ Banks. The card also showcased notable matches such as Darren Hendry vs Anthony Holmes and Danny Christie vs Darren Godfrey Jr. Melanie Shah also made history when she faced Sweden's Mathilda Wilson at the event by becoming both the first British female BKFC fighter and first female Muslim bare-knuckle boxer.
Events
BKFC UK 1 - BKFC Fight Night: Newcastle
BKFC Fight Night: Newcastle was a bare-knuckle fighting event held by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship on 26 November 2022 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
Background BKFC UK 1 took place on 26 November 2022 at The Walker Activity Dome in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, drawing a full house of 1,700 spectators. The event featured a 10-fight card, with the initial three bouts streamed live on YouTube and the subsequent main card bouts available on the BKFC App. In the main event, local contender Mick Terrill faced Steve 'Panda' Banks in a BKFC Heavyweight title eliminator. Terrill was declared the winner after Banks was deemed unable to continue by the ringside doctor due to severe cuts around his eyes. The co-main event featured Darren Hendry and Anthony Holmes vying for the inaugural BKFC UK Cruiserweight title. Holmes clinched the knockout victory in the fourth round following a powerful strike to Hendry's nose. The event was also notable for the debut of Melanie Shah, the UK's first female Muslim fighter, who secured a split decision win against Sweden's Mathilda Wilson.
Results BKFC Fight Night: Newcastle Weight Class Method Round Time NotesHeavyweight 120 kg Mick Terrill def. Steve BanksTKO22:00BKFC Heavyweight title eliminator Cruiserweight 93 kg Anthony Holmesdef. Darren HendryTKO40:29 For the inaugural BKFC UK Cruiserweight Championship Light heavyweight 84 kg Danny Christiedef. Darren Godfrey TKO11:07 Welterweight 75 kg Liam Wilsondef. Will CairnsTKO20:54Light heavyweight 84 kg John Fergusondef. Tom ScottDecision (unanimous)52:00Heavyweight 120 kg Lee Brownedef. Billy HawthorneTKO20:35Light heavyweight 84 kg Nathan Owensdef. David RoundDecision (unanimous)31:05Lightweight 70 kg Lewis Keendef. Lewy SherriffTKO31:08 Preliminary CardW.Flyweight 57 kg Melanie Shahdef. Mathilda WilsonDecision (split)52:00Heavyweight 120 kg Agi Faulknerdef. Daniel RobsonTKO 11:17
BKFC UK 2 - BKFC 37: Tierney vs. Lindsey
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 37: Tierney vs. Lindsey was a bare-knuckle fighting event held by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship on 4 March 2023, at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre in London, England.
Background The event was headlined by a bout between Connor Tierney and Jake Lindsey.
Results Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 37: Tierney vs. Lindsey Weight Class Method Round Time NotesWelterweight 75 kg Jake Lindseydef. Connor TierneyKO51:02Light Heavyweight 84 kg Rico Francovs. Darren Godfrey KO20:49Light Heavyweight 84 kg David Rounddef. Terry BrazierKO 31:28Cruiserweight 95 kg Mason Shawdef. Lee BrowneDecision (unanimous)52:00Cruiserweight 95 kg Darren Hendrydef. Corey HarrisonTKO20:58Light Heavyweight 84 kg Chaz Wasserman def. Cedric SeveracDecision (unanimous)52:00Heavyweight 120 kg Robbie Kennedydef. Jack DraperKO21:35Welterweight 75 kg Nathan Hinddef. Gary FoxDecision (unanimous)52:00Welterweight 75 kg Ben Bonnardef. Jamie OldfieldKO31:16 Preliminary CardLightweight 70 kg Ryan Carmichael def. Will Cairns KO30:35Light Heavyweight 84 kg Jimmy Millardef. Kyle CassidyTKO22:00Middleweight 79 kg George Thorpedef. Jamie HendryTKO30:54
BKFC UK 3 - BKFC 40: Holmes vs. Christie
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 40: Holmes vs. Christie was a bare-knuckle fighting event held by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship on 22 April 2023.
Background The event was initially scheduled to be headlined by welterweight bout between Elvin Brito and Jamie Cox, but the bout was cancelled after Cox withdrew.
Results Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 40: Holmes vs. Christie Weight Class Method Round Time NotesLight Heavyweight 84 kg Danny Christiedef. Anthony HolmesKO4Welterweight 75 kg Franco Tenagliadef. Luke NevinKO4Welterweight 75 kg Rico Francodef. Axel BirbesKO21:07Cruiserweight 95 kg Conor Cookedef. Robbie KennedyKO41:56Middleweight 79 kg Tom Scottdef. Damian GórskiKO41:44Lightweight 70 kg Jonny Grahamdef. Will CairnsKO11:33Heavyweight 120 kg Toni Estorerdef. Lee BrowneDecision (unanimous)52:00Catchweight 73 kg Morgan Starkeydef. Marius RadolKO10:23Light Heavyweight 84 kg Bart Króldef. Ashley GriffithsKO11:04Heavyweight 120 kg Rob Cunninghamdef. Wain MorganKO21:03Light Heavyweight 84 kg Arron Blakeydef. Naff HigsonKO10:50
BKFC UK 4 - BKFC 46: Newcastle
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 46: Newcastle was a bare-knuckle fighting event held by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship on 1 July 2023.
Results Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 46: Newcastle Weight Class Method Round Time NotesWelterweight 75 kg Ricardo Francodef. Kaleb HarrisKO50:58Welterweight 75 kg Robert Barrydef. Ben BonnerKO50:11Welterweight 75 kg Lewis Keendef. Zdeněk PernicaKO30:32Cruiserweight 95 kg Dawid Oskardef. Matty HillKO11:44Welterweight 75 kg Paul Cookdef. Aaron FosterKO10:41Light Heavyweight 84 kg Bart Króldef. Sebastian KrautwaldDecision (unanimous)52:00Featherweight 66 kg Gary Foxdef. Hayden SherriffKO10:38Featherweight 66 kg Patryk Sagandef. Morgan StarkeyKO10:49 Preliminary CardFeatherweight 66 kg Robbie Browndef. Ben HatchettKO11:36Middleweight 79 kg Arron Blakeydef. Krystian NadolskiKO10:38Cruiserweight 95 kg Karl Thompsondef. Dustin RabiegaTKO31:06
BKFC UK 5 - BKFC 55: Leeds
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 55: Leeds was a bare-knuckle fighting event held by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship on 19 November 2023.
Results Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 55 Weight Class Method Round Time NotesLight heavyweight 84 kg Jared Warrendef. Danny ChristieTKO (referee stoppage)11:56Middleweight 79 kg Bartlomiej Kroldef. Anthony HolmesTKO (corner stoppage)42:00Cruiserweight 93 kg Matty Hodgsondef. Mason ShawTKO (punches)20:29Light heavyweight 84 kg Danny Mitchelldef. John FergusonDecision (unanimous)52:00Cruiserweight 93 kg Darren Hendrydef. Luke AtkinTKO (punches)20:25Featherweight 66 kg Gary Foxdef. Robbie BrownDecision (unanimous)52:00Light heavyweight 84 kg Conor Cookedef. Nathan OwensTKO (punches)31:12Cruiserweight 93 kg Karl Thompsondef. Dawid OskarDecision (unanimous)52:00Lightweight 70 kg Antonio Moscatiellodef. Hynek Hospodarsky KO11:58 Preliminary CardWelterweight 75 kg Paul Cookdef. Luke NevinDecision (unanimous)52:00Welterweight 75 kg Jonny Grahamdef. Abel RadomskiTKO (punches)21:40Heavyweight 120 kg Agi Faulknerdef. Rob CunninghamTKO (punches)10:57
BKFC UK 6 - BKFC 60: Milton Keynes
BKFC 60 Milton Keynes: Lilley vs. Tenaglia was a bare-knuckle fighting event held by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship on 6 April 2024.
Background The event featured three title fights and was headlined by James Lilley against Franco Tenaglia for the first ever BKFC Lightweight European Championship. BKFC UK Light Heavyweight Champion Danny Christie defended his title against David Round. Gary Fox faced Ellis Shephard for the vacant BKFC UK Featherweight Championship.
Results BKFC 60 Milton Keynes: Lilley vs. Tenaglia Weight Class Method Round Time NotesLightweight 70 kg Franco Tenagliadef. James LilleyDecision (majority)52:00Light Heavyweight 84 kg Danny Christie (c)def. David RoundTKO11:38Featherweight 66 kg Ellis Shepherddef. Gary FoxDecision (unanimous)52:00 Light Heavyweight 84 kg Matty Hodgsondef. Chaz WassermanKO31:38Bantamweight 61 kg Jonno Chipchasedef. Robbie BrownTKO (doctor stoppage)12:00Cruiserweight 93 kg Dawid Oskardef. Conor CookeKO12:00Cruiserweight 93 kg Rob Boardmandef. Danny McIntoshKO (body shot)11:13Lightweight 70 kg Ben Bonnerdef. Ray PutterillKO (left hook)11:08 Preliminary CardMiddleweight 79 kg Toby Bindondef. Marcus PondTKO21:44Heavyweight 120 kg Jack Draperdef. BubuTKO11:41Lightweight 70 kg Bartek Kanabeydef. Bakhtyor KudratovTKO (referee stoppage)10:54
BKFC UK 7 - BKFC Fight Night Prospects: Newcastle
BKFC Fight Night Prospects: Newcastle is a bare-knuckle fighting event held by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship on June 8, 2024.
Background The event was headlined by Paul Venis against former World Sambo Championships silver medalist Stanov Tabakov.
Results BKFC Fight Night Prospects: Newcastle Weight Class Method Round Time NotesCruiserweight 93 kg Paul Venisdef. Stanoy TabakovTKO30:47Light Heavyweight 84 kg Pic Jardinedef. Bartlomiej KrolTKO30:35Middleweight 79 kg Danny Christiedef. Jimmy MillarDecision (unanimous) 52:0050-44, 49-45, 49-44.Light Heavyweight 84 kg Danny Moirdef. John FergusonDecision (split)52:00Judges' scorecards not read.Lightweight 70 kg Jack Culshawdef. Bartek KanabeyTKO31:35Bantamweight 61 kg Cameron Hardydef. Bryan CreightonKO50:43Cruiserweight 93 kg Stevie Taylordef. Jakub KosickiTKO41:51Bantamweight 61 kg Bradley Taylordef. Dan MohammedTKO10:43Heavyweight 120 kg Gary Slatordef. Rob CunninghamTKO (punches)10:56Welterweight 75 kg Luke Beamishdef. Will RochesterDecision (unanimous)52:00Judges' scorecards not read.Welterweight 75 kg Ryan Sansondef. Jeremy WaltronDecision (unanimous)52:00Judges' scorecards not read.
BKFC UK 8 - BKFC 64 Coventry: Tierney vs. Graham
BKFC 64 Coventry: Tierney vs. Graham was a bare-knuckle fighting event held by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship on August 10, 2024.
Background The event was headlined by Conor Tierney against Jonny Graham for the inaugural UK BKFC Welterweight Championship.
Results