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. The lightweights have engaged in a fiery war of words after an altercation erupted as a BKFC press conference earlier this year and Feldman believes thats going to translate into a crowd-pleasing battle on Friday night. We had no idea how quickly this would take off, or what type of notoriety and acceptance we would receive so quickly. 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. How Much Does Bare Knuckle Boxing Pay? (Everything U Should Know) It set up a good lead into this fight.. We are gaining new fans that have never watched combat sports before. NEW YORK MARCH 12th will be my Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship debut against former ufc fighter Jim . Im not in it for the money. Then we just moved on to September, October, November, December. I think that's really the thing that took us by surprise was how much the pay-per-view was pirated and how to combat that. This is an incredible thing that we are doing, and the only reason no one has done it before is that doing so requires a significant investment of time and money. Home Services Magazine When COVID came, it was really just another speedbump. I think we can certainly open up a new fanbase. And it's working. View David Feldman's profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. he's making memories that will keep him busy in the bare-knuckle ring. So I had to ram it down peoples throats because they didnt know what it was. We think we're about two years ahead of the plan right now. Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) is an American bare-knuckle boxing promotion based in Philadelphia. Now, because we were lucky enough to acquire the consulting of Dr Don Muzzi, who is the president of the Association of Ringside Physicians. I couldnt be happier., jbernstein@jewishexponent.com; 215-832-0740. SN: What was the biggest challenge in 2019 that you wereable to learn from and not make the same mistake, sayin 2020? We found a place in Oxford Mississippi. 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. The offer was official, we talked to the team a couple of times. 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. SOURCE SPORTS: Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Faces Lawsuit How fast this would grow and the kind of recognition and acceptance that we got so fast. If they are broke and they can establish an account with $20,000, $30,000, or $40,000 in it for them, it will be a great feeling for them to be able to get their hands on it. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. Founded Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) Its a different presentation to what I was presenting without any experience under my belt. [12] All the stress, I cant spend as much time with my family. When Lobov and Knight knuckle up this evening in Biloxi, Mississippi, it will further illustrate how BKFC boss David Feldmans vision continues to soar and how the sport resonates with both mixed martial arts fans and boxing fans. I have a core three or four people that have worked with me since the beginning. BKFC is the first promotion to hold an official state-sanctioned and commissioned bare-knuckle boxing event in the United States since 1889. As the founder and president of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), Feldman is making waves in the industry. Bare-knuckle fighting was an old school form of combat sports that largely just went away with the growth of boxing and MMA. Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) boss David Feldman says he's in advanced talks with Shaquille O'Neal over an investment deal.. Im not in it for the money. [17], 1. def. 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. We have a tremendous team, they did a really good job of coming together and having each others back. Your email address will not be published. Credit social media, credit YouTube, credit streaming, credit what you like, but Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship has done in less than a year, what its competitive sports took a decade or more to accomplish. Some gloves would be nice, though, BKFC president David Feldman reveals why Luke Rockhold couldnt continue in BKFC 41 main event, Arnold Allen: No moral victory in Max Holloway fight, I got half my pay, I lost my winning streak, I missed out on a title shot. How To Watch, Who Is Fighting & More! According to Meltzer: Reports the Paulie Malignaggi vs. Artem Lobov bare knuckle boxing match on June 22 did better numbers than UFC did on many of its pay-per-view shows appear to be greatly exaggerated. I think if you can give a fan a consistent product, they are going to like what they see and they will continue to be a fan. His brother, Damon Feldman, is as colorful a character as they come in boxing, known best for his celebrity stunt fights: Rodney King vs. a police officer, and fights featuring everyone from Danny Bonaduce to Jose Canseco and Tonya Harding (Damon also pleaded guilty to assaulting his girlfriend last year, just one of several legal entanglements). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 2. def. Stewart claims that he and Feldman first discussed the prospect of conducting bare-knuckle contests in 2012 and that the conversation continued throughout the rest of 2012. How is he telling us that bare knuckle is safer. 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. David Feldman discusses growth of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship And we've always given the fans what they want. Then I would put a glove on him and ask him to do it again. It has become the ultimate crossover experience that satisfies all combat enthusiasts. Feldman is a former professional boxer himself (4-1 record) who started the bare-knuckle fighting championship (BKFC) promotion in 2018. Sign up for the I mean, its truly been an unbelievable experience that I could never have imagined when the idea for this project first came to me. But I see thata little bit down the road for us because we have to prove ourselves a little more. Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships' David Feldman is introducing the 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. Neither of them has a reverse gear, Feldman said about Alers vs. Palomino. Then I would also imitate smashing my knee into someones head. The challenge.. Stewart subsequently purportedly received $26,500 worth of payments from Feldman, "allegedly for a return on Stewart's ownership of 40% of BKFC." I was just done, Feldman said. Your email address will not be published. Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship has not only survived but thrived during the pandemic. Thats what happened for him., David Feldman: Five years from now? Feldman is the founder and CEO of Official Celebrity Boxing. Trillers first Triad Combat event, which pitted teams of MMA fighters against boxers with special rules inside a triangular boxing ring, was headlined by former UFC champion Frank Mir against boxings Kubrat Pulev. I love this, its not a job, its something I really love. 2 talking about this. It was faced paced, exciting, shorter rounds and closer atmosphere. Feldman, the son of legendary boxing trainer and promoter Marty Feldman, claimed he was motivated to start the school by his own combat sports experiences, in which he saw countless fighters waste their money without putting themselves in a position to succeed in the future. He aims to allay any fears of a possible bait-and-switch or the notion that anything sinister is in the works in the interim. Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship will remain as is, Feldman said. But we are here just to do our thing. Yeah they are busted up, but you see a picture of them a week later and they are perfect. Feldman has given a platform for both boxers and mixed martial artists to compete against each other in the most purest form of standup fighting. Everyone is doing tremendous and it seems to be working out., David Feldman: It was really just forward thinking. Our team is getting bigger and better and better. Then, we got hit in the face like, Wow, people illegally streamed the hell out of pay-per-view, and we had nothing.' Ahead of the show, BKFC president David Feldman sat down with DAZN News to discuss a tough 2020, the growth of the organization during the COVID-19 pandemic, and . 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. BKFC was established in April 2018 and is presided over by David Feldman, a former professional boxer from the United States. Joe Riggs at BKFC 24 on April 30, 2022 So I said lets do a live event where we can have fans. I think by the end of 2020, mid-2021, is where we become a legitimate player in combat sports. Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship League Is Rocked by Inferno Florida His brother, Damon Feldman, is the promoter of Celebrity Boxing. Founded Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) in April 2018 and acted as its President ever since. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. SN: What event do you think was the turning point for the company in 2019? Now, of course, the end game is I want to make a lot of money, right, but who doesnt? he said. First thing I would do is have the main commissioner come over to the wall, and I would ask him to punch it with his bare knuckle. But 1 Said 'Yes', "The first appearance of an Iranian in BKFC", "Bare knuckles are coming out of the darkness", "Triller acquires 'majority stake' in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship", "BKFC Acquires England's Bare Fist Boxing Association", "Justin Thornton dies after BKFC 20 knockout loss to Dillon Cleckler in August", "Bare-knuckle fighter dies weeks after becoming paralysed following knockout loss", "Dana White asks "is anybody shocked?" Stewart subsequently purportedly received $26,500 worth of payments from Feldman, "allegedly for a return on Stewart's ownership of 40% of BKFC." He also claims to have been provided a profit and . 2. def. And then June, we're actually going to London, England and in July, we're going to be at the Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino in New York. Dat was yelling some stuff in the ring and they had some words after the fight. When reached for comment, Feldman said he was unaware a lawsuit had been filed and that his team will deal with it accordingly. So I think that it could fit in to todays society and they love it. [7] BKFC recognizes the Police Gazette champions, and they may defend their titles within this promotion. Justin Barrasso. Our streaming service is performing admirably. We know what the fans want. How To Watch, Who Is Fighting & More! [16], BKFC holds all bouts in a circular four-rope ring, referred to as the "Squared Circle". SN: I remember when we talked last year, you were only in WyomingandMississippi. A new video from BKFC 41 shows the moment when Mike Perry connected with a punch that broke Luke Rockholds tooth and sent it flying into the air. We are giving the fans something great, the fighters are fighting their asses off. March 15, 2021 10:59 AM. It's hard because every time the bar gets set a little higher. Mike Perry is nursing an injury after the one he gave Luke Rockhold at BKFC 41 this past Saturday. He also claims to have been provided a profit and loss spreadsheet at a February 2019 meeting after BKFC's first four events. Washington Jewish Week, PHILADELPHIA JEWISH EXPONENT IS HERE FOR YOU. Video: Brutal replay shows Mike Perry punch that sent Luke Rockholds tooth flying at BKFC 41. Every fight people go to, they watch it and they love it, especially live. BKFC is the first promotion to hold an official state-sanctioned and commissioned bare-knuckle boxing event in the United States since 1889. BKFC boss David Feldman is a boxing promoter (since 2012) and a former pro boxer with a 4-1 record (1993-2003). Courtesy Dave Feldman. We just made a big splash that day. Something went wrong. newsletter, Israel Adesanya Walkouts to Knockouts T-Shirt, Luke Rockhold reacts to BKFC 41 loss: Im not done. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. [6] The Bare-Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame recognized this milestone and awarded the victor of this contest, Bec Rawlings, with the National Police Gazette World Diamond Belt several days after her victory. 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. BKFC boss David Feldman (Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship) David Feldman: It was a building year. BKFC's David Feldman says Malignaggi-Lobov will sell over 100K on PPV Perry took the win by TKO. 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. Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship seeking first $1 million gate at Which brings us to bare-knuckle fighting. Watch Gilbert Burns outpoint Jorge Masvidal in his retirement fightin the UFC's return to Miami. You didnt hear the crowd and you didnt see the atmosphere. Look, it might not be a life-changing experience for them, but it might be in that moment, Feldman added. Every time I get a nasty email, or a Facebook message, people saying, This isnt going to last, its a gimmick, this and that, it just drives me more and more to make it something more legitimate, he said. The first legally regulated Bare Knuckle Fighting company in the world! I was offered a lot of money just last week to sell, Feldman said to Van Vliet. David Feldman, part of the alternately notorious and legendary Feldman fighting clan in the Philadelphia area, is the founder and president of the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. This ring incorporates elements of historical bare knuckle fighting by containing two scratch lines, three feet apart and in the middle of the ring. So, I think we're going to get one of two of them a lot faster than the other one.