BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing
This article reads like a press release or a news article and may be largely based on routine coverage. (November 2022) |
| Formerly | BYB Extreme Fighting Series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Bare-knuckle boxing |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Founder |
|
| Headquarters | Miami, Florida , United States |
Key people |
|
| Website | bybextreme |
BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing, founded as BYB Extreme Fighting Series (BYB), is a bare knuckle fighting organization founded in 2015 by former MMA fighter Dhafir ("Dada 5000") Harris and Mike Vazquez, former owner of NASCAR team HRT Motorsports.[1] Harris rose to fame from his staging of backyard bare knuckle fights which went viral online and subsequently became the subject of the Billy Corben documentary, Dawg Fight.[2] BYB is an abbreviation of "Back Yard Brawl", a nod to the company's origins.[3] BYB's fights are held in its patented[4] Trigon ring or cage, which it touts as the smallest fighting surface in combat sports.[5]
In March 2025, Front Office Sports reported that BKB signed a multi-fight deal with Vice to carry live fights, becoming the channel's first live programing as it moved into a heavy sports focus.[6] In August 2025, NBC Universal announced that it would carry BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing live in Spanish as a cornerstone program on Telemundo Deportes Ahora.[7]
In June 2023, beIN SPORTS announced it secured an exclusive media rights deal with BYB in North America to broadcast "Best of BYB" archive shows as well as five live events, making it the first bare knuckle fighting to air live on linear television.[8] In 2024, BYB announced expanded coverage to Fight Network and Fuse.[9]
History
[edit | edit source]BYB announced that its premiere event, Battleship I – originally scheduled to take place aboard the deck of the Resorts World Bimini Superfast – would air on June 5, 2015, shortly after Dawg Fight premiered on Netflix.[10] The event was scrapped from the cruise ship with the organization citing inclement weather, and subsequently held indoors at an undisclosed location in Miami.[11]
BYB went on hiatus following Dada 5000's return to the ring at Bellator 149 in February 2016 where he his infamously poorly received fight with Kimbo Slice.[12] The promotion would host BYB 2: Brawl for it All in Cheyenne, Wyoming on April 5, 2019, at Cheyenne Ice & Event Center.[13] That event started the current run of numbered BYB events in states including Florida and Mississippi, as well as internationally in London.
Partnership with BKB
[edit | edit source]In November 2021, BYB announced a talent exchange partnership with UK-based BKB in which each promotion sends fighters overseas to be featured on the other's cards.[14] The series kicked off at BYB 8 with BKB's Barrie Jones knocking out BYB's Luis Melo in the first round. Through 2022, the companies have hosted 15 trans-continental bare knuckle matchups.[15]
On October 16, 2022, the event featured a mix of BYB vs. BYB, BKB vs. BKB, and BYB vs. BKB fights. The show featured a number of firsts including the first sanctioned professional female bare knuckle fight in UK history (Jamie Driver def. Sonya Dreiling),[16] the first female title match in UK history (Jozette Cotton def. Miranda Barber for the BYB Super Welterweight and Police Gazette Diamond Belt),[17] and Seth Shaffer defeated Carlos Guerra to win the inaugural BYB Welterweight title as well as the Police Gazette Diamond Belt.[18] The event was broadcast live on Stadium.
Acquisition of BKB
[edit | edit source]On May 8, 2024, it was announced that BYB Extreme had acquired BKB. Founded in 2015 by Jim Freeman and Joe Smith-Brown, BKB had hosted 40 events prior to the acquisition, some which featured fighters from BYB Extreme. Despite BYB acquiring BKB, both Freeman and Smith-Brown will stay with BYB Extreme in an executive capacity and will oversee the continued expansion of BYB Extreme into Europe.[19]
First event in England
[edit | edit source]BYB Extreme held its first event in England, BYB 12: London Brawl, on October 26, 2022. Aside from being the promotion's first event in the United Kingdom, BYB 12 also featured the first-ever women's bare-knuckle fights, highlighted by a title fight between Jozette Cotton and Miranda Barber for the BYB Women's Super Welterweight Championship.[20]
First UAE event
[edit | edit source]BYB hosted the first-ever bare-knuckle fighting event in the Middle East with BYB 16: Desert Brawl on March 18, 2023. The event was held at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium in Dubai, headlined by a Police Gazette Diamond Belt title fight between Jarome Hatch and Marko Martinjak.[21]
Rebranding to BKB
[edit | edit source]On February 26, 2025, it was announced that BYB Extreme would rebrand to BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing. BYB Extreme had acquired the Coventry, UK-based promotion BKB in May 2024.[22][23]
Events
[edit | edit source]| Event | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BYB Battleship I | June 5, 2015 | United States Miami, Florida | |
| BYB 2: Brawl for It All | April 5, 2019 | United States Cheyenne, Wyoming, Cheyenne Ice & Event Center | |
| BYB 3: Brawl at the Rock | March 7, 2020 | United States Hollywood, Florida, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood | |
| BYB 4 | December 3, 2020 | United States Hollywood, Florida, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood | |
| BYB US vs. Russia | April 10, 2021 | United States Miami, Florida, BYB Arena | |
| BYB 5 | May 15, 2021 | United States Miami, Florida, Tamiami Park Fairgrounds | |
| BYB 6 | July 16, 2021 | United States Hollywood, Florida, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood | |
| BYB 7: Brawl by the River | September 11, 2021 | United States Miami, Florida, James L. Knight Center | Jomi Escoboza def. Rene Rodriguez (Cruiserweight) |
| BYB 8: Tis the Season to Brawl | December 18, 2021 | United States Miami, Florida, James L. Knight Center | |
| BYB 9: Tampa Brawl | March 22, 2022 | United States Tampa, Florida, Florida State Fairgrounds | Jose Fernandez def. JD Burns (Super Middleweight) |
| BYB X: Biloxi Brawl | May 28, 2022 | United States Biloxi, Mississippi, Mississippi Coast Coliseum | Tony Lopez def. Jordan Mitchell (BYB Heavyweight); Paty Juarez def. Monica Medina (PG Diamond) |
| BYB 11: Brawl in Doral | August 27, 2022 | United States Doral, Florida, Trump National Doral Miami | |
| BYB 12: London Brawl | October 16, 2022 | England London, England, Indigo at The O2 | Seth Shaffer def. Carlos Guerra (BYB Welterweight, PG Diamond); Jozette Cotton def. Miranda Barber (BYB Super Welterweight, PG Diamond) |
| BYB 13: Tampa Brawl For It All | November 19, 2022 | United States Tampa, Florida, Florida State Fairgrounds | Desmond Green def. Scott McHugh (BYB Middleweight, PG Diamond); DJ Linderman def. Tony Lopez (BYB Heavyweight) |
| BYB 14: Carolina Brawl | December 9, 2022 | United States Rock Hill, South Carolina, Rock Hill Sports & Event Center | First BK fight in SC history; Sam Liera def. LT Nelson (BYB Interim Super Middleweight) |
| BYB 15: Broward Brawl | February 3, 2023 | United States Miramar, Florida, Miramar National Guard Armory | |
| BYB 16: Desert Brawl | March 18, 2023 | United Arab Emirates Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium | First BK fight in UAE/Gulf Region history; Jarome Hatch def. BKB's Marko Martinjak (PG Diamond) |
| BYB Trigon Combat | April 27, 2023 | United States Costa Mesa, California, The Hangar at OC Fair & Event Center | First gloved event in BYB history |
| BYB 17: Brawl at Rock Hill | May 13, 2023 | United States Rock Hill, South Carolina, Rock Hill Sports & Event Center | Mark Irwin def. Joshua Oxendine (BYB Lightweight); Jozette Cotton (c) def. Jamie Driver (PG Diamond) |
| BYB 18: Police Gazette International Cup | Jun 25, 2023 | England London, England, Indigo at The O2 | Team USA (BYB) def. Team UK (BKB) 6–3; Barrie Jones def. Tommy Turner (PG Diamond); Marko Martinjak (c) def. Jarome Hatch (PG Diamond) |
| BYB 19: Brawl in the Pines | August 10, 2023 | United States Pembroke Pines, Florida, Charles F. Dodge Center | Brandon Birr def. Harold McQueen (BYB Featherweight); Carlos Alexandre def. Andre Ewell (BYB Welterweight); Sam Liera def. Jose Fernandez (BYB Super Middleweight); LT Nelson draw James Connelly (PG Diamond) |
| BYB 20: Brawl on the Bayou | September 16, 2023 | United States Biloxi, Mississippi, Mississippi Coast Coliseum | Monica Medina def. (c) Paty Juarez (BYB Lightweight, PG Diamond) |
| BYB 21: Fall Brawl | October 21, 2023 | United States Rock Hill, South Carolina, Rock Hill Sports & Event Center | DJ Linderman (C) def. Rashad Coulter (BYB Heavyweight) |
| BYB 22: Rocky Mountain Brawl | December 2, 2023 | United States Denver, Colorado, Stockyard Event Center | LT Nelson vs. Robert Serna (BYB Super Middleweight); Julio Tanori def. Mark Irwin (c) (BYB Lightweight); Paty Juarez def. Monica Medina (c) (BYB Lightweight) |
| BYB 23: Brawl in the Pines II | January 18, 2024 | United States Pembroke Pines, Florida, Charles F. Dodge Center | Marko Martinjak (c) def. Jarome Hatch (PG Diamond); Cub Hawkins def. Daniel Lerwell (PG Diamond 185) |
| BYB 24: Super Brawl Saturday | February 10, 2024 | United States Biloxi, Mississippi, Mississippi Coast Coliseum | Ike Villanueva def. DJ Linderman (BYB Heavyweight); Harold McQueen def. Brandon Birr (BYB Featherweight) |
| BYB 25: Brawl on the Bay | April 4, 2024 | United States Tampa, Florida, Florida State Fairgrounds | Cub Hawkins def. Ryan Jett (BYB Light Heavyweight); Agnesa Kirakosian def. Shelby Cannon (BYB Super Flyweight) |
| BYB 26: Mile High Brawl | May 10, 2024 | United States Denver, Colorado, Stockyards Event Center | LT Nelson def. Tommy Turner (BYB Middleweight) |
| BYB 27: Brawl in Duval | June 14, 2024 | United States Jacksonville, Florida, Prime Osborn Convention Center | |
| BYB 28: Bourbon Street Brawl | June 14, 2024 | United States New Orleans, Louisiana, Alario Center | Gustavo Trujillo def. Ike Villanueva (BYB Heavyweight and PG World Diamond); Helen Peralta def. Monica Medina (BYB Featherweight) |
| BYB 29: Brawl in the Pines III | August 10, 2024 | United States Pembroke Pines, Florida, Charles F. Dodge Center | Gregoris Cisneros def. Cub Hawkins (BYB Light Heavyweight) |
| BYB 30: Cardiff Brawl | August 17, 2024 | Wales Cardiff, Wales, Vale Arena | LT Nelson def. Barrie Jones (PG World Diamond) |
| BYB 31: Stockyard Brawl | August 17, 2024 | United States Denver, Colorado, Stockyards Event Center | Khortni Kamyron def. Paty Juarez (BYB Super Lightweight); Julio Tanori def. Mark Irwin (BYB Lightweight) |
| BYB 32: Leeds Brawl | October 12, 2024 | United Kingdom Leeds, England, John Charles Centre for Sport | Harry Gigliotti def. Joe Fitzpatrick (BYB Super Lightweight); Liam Rees def. Scott McHugh (BYB Super Welterweight) |
| BYB 33: Wolverhampton Brawl | November 9, 2024 | United Kingdom Wolverhampton, England, The Hangar | Marko Martinjak def. Brad Scott (BYB Super Cruiserweight); Dan Podmore def. Ryan Barrett (BYB Bridgerweight) |
| BYB 34: Brawl in the Pines IV | December 6, 2024 | United States Pembroke Pines, Florida, Charles F. Dodge Center | Gustavo Trujillo def. Richie Leak (Unified BYB-BKB Heavyweight Title); Jamie Driver def. Sonya Dreiling (BYB Welterweight) |
| BYB 35: Albuquerque Brawl | January 11, 2025 | United States Albuquerque, New Mexico, Revel ABQ | Javon Wright def. Walter Saravia (Vacant BYB Welterweight) |
| BYB 36: Cardiff Brawl II | February 1, 2025 | Wales Cardiff, Wales, Vale Arena | Barrie Jones def. Gregoris Cisneros (BYB Light Heavyweight) |
| BYB 37: Denver Brawl IV | February 22, 2025 | United States Denver, Colorado, Stockyards Event Center | Harry Gigliotii def. Jon Barnard (BKB Super Lightweight) |
| BKB 38: Wolves Brawl II | March 22, 2025 | United Kingdom Wolverhampton, England, The Hangar| | LT Nelson def. James Connelly (BKB Super Middleweight) |
| BKB 39: Brawl at the Beach | April 4, 2025 | United States Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, John T. Rhodes Sports Center | | Cub Hawkins def. Jack Marshman (BKB Cruiserweight) |
| BKB 40: Cardiff Brawl III | April 19, 2025 | Wales Cardiff, Wales, Vale Arena | | Liam Rees def. Martin Reffell (BKB Super Welterweight) Dan Podmore def. Emil Markic (BKB Bridgerweight) |
| BKB 41: Brawl in Duval II | May 31, 2025 | United States Jacksonville, Florida, Prime Osborn Convention Center | Jarod Grant def. Jorge Bargallo (BKB Interim Lightweight) |
| BKB 42: Music City Brawl | June 21, 2025 | United States Nashville, Tennessee, The Pinnacle | LT Nelson def. Sam Liera (BKB Super Middleweight) ; Javon Wright def. Carlos Guerra (BKB Welterweight) |
| BKB 43: Bolton Brawl | July 5, 2025 | United Kingdom Bolton, England, The Hideout | Harry Gigliotti def. Kallum Skhane (BKB Super Lightweight) |
| BKB 44: Denver Brawl V | August 16, 2025 | United States Denver, Colorado, Stockyards Event Center | Paty Juarez def. Khortni Kamyron (BKB Lightweight) |
.svg){kind=link}
Weight classes
[edit | edit source]| Division | Upper weight limit |
|---|---|
| Heavyweight | Unlimited |
| Bridgerweight | 225 lb (102 kg) |
| Super Cruiserweight | 205 lb (93 kg) |
| Cruiserweight | 185 lb (84 kg) |
| Light Heavyweight | 175 lb (79 kg) |
| Super Middleweight | 165 lb (75 kg) |
| Middleweight | 160 lb (73 kg) |
| Super Welterweight | 154 lb (70 kg) |
| Welterweight | 147 lb (67 kg) |
| Super Lightweight | 140 lb (64 kg) |
| Lightweight | 135 lb (61 kg) |
| Super Featherweight | 130 lb (59 kg) |
| Featherweight | 125 lb (57 kg) |
Current champions
[edit | edit source]Men's
[edit | edit source]As of 9 May 2026
| Weight class | Champion | Date won |
|---|---|---|
| Featherweight | Harold McQueen | February 10, 2024 |
| Lightweight | Jarod Grant | May 31, 2025 |
| Super Lightweight | Harry Gigliotti | October 12, 2024 |
| Welterweight | Javon Wright | January 11, 2025 |
| Super Welterweight | Rolando Gabriel Dy | December 5, 2025 |
| Middleweight | LT Nelson | May 10, 2024 |
| Super Middleweight | LT Nelson | December 2, 2023 |
| Light Heavyweight | Cub Hawkins | November 22, 2025 |
| Cruiserweight | Cub Hawkins | January 18, 2024 |
| Super Cruiserweight | Marko Martinjak | November 9, 2024 |
| Bridgerweight | Marko Martinjak | October 18, 2025 |
| Heavyweight | Gustavo Trujillo | July 13, 2024 |
Women's
[edit | edit source]As of 9 May 2026
| Weight class | Champion | Date won |
|---|---|---|
| Super Flyweight | Agnesa Kirakosian | April 4, 2024 |
| Featherweight | Helen Peralta | July 13, 2024 |
| Lightweight | Paty Juarez | December 2, 2023 |
| Super Lightweight | Khortni Kamyron | August 17, 2024 |
| Welterweight | Jamie Driver | December 6, 2024 |
Police Gazette World Diamond Belt
[edit | edit source]As of 9 May 2026
| Weight class | Champion | Date won |
|---|---|---|
| Women's Lightweight | Monica Medina | September 16, 2023 |
| Women's Super Welterweight | Jozette Cotton | October 16, 2022 |
| Middleweight | Desmond Green | November 19, 2022 |
| Super Middleweight | LT Nelson | August 17, 2024 |
| Light Heavyweight | Cub Hawkins | January 18, 2024 |
| Heavyweight | Gustavo Trujillo | July 13, 2024 |
Men's championship history
[edit | edit source]Women's championship history
[edit | edit source]Partnership with BKB
[edit | edit source]In November 2021, BYB announced a talent exchange partnership with UK-based BKB in which each promotion sends fighters overseas to be featured on the other's cards.[24] The series kicked off at BYB 8 with BKB's Barrie Jones knocking out BYB's Luis Melo in the first round. Through 2022, the companies have hosted 15 trans-continental bare knuckle matchups.[25]
On October 16, 2022, the event featured a mix of BYB vs. BYB, BKB vs. BKB, and BYB vs. BKB fights. The show featured a number of firsts including the first sanctioned professional female bare knuckle fight in UK history (Jamie Driver def. Sonya Dreiling),[26] the first female title match in UK history (Jozette Cotton def. Miranda Barber for the BYB Super Welterweight and Police Gazette Diamond Belt),[27] and Seth Shaffer defeated Carlos Guerra to win the inaugural BYB Welterweight title as well as the Police Gazette Diamond Belt.[28] The event was broadcast live on Stadium.
Acquisition of BKB
[edit | edit source]On May 8, 2024, it was announced that BYB Extreme had acquired BKB. Founded in 2015 by Jim Freeman and Joe Smith-Brown, BKB had hosted 40 events prior to the acquisition, some which featured fighters from BYB Extreme. Despite BYB acquiring BKB, both Freeman and Smith-Brown will stay with BYB Extreme in an executive capacity and will oversee the continued expansion of BYB Extreme into Europe.[29]
Trigon
[edit | edit source]In 2015, BYB and its parent company Lights Out Productions filed for a patent on its triangular shaped ring and cage, which they note is the smallest in combat sports. The patent was granted on December 19, 2017.
In 2021, Triller announced that it would host Triad Combat in a triangular ring.[30] BYB in turn filed a lawsuit against alleging copyright infringement.[31]
Notable fighters on roster
[edit | edit source]- United States Juan Adams
- United States Josh Burns
- United States Rashad Coulter
- United States Andre Ewell
- United States Desmond Green
- United States Ike Villanueva
- Tunisia Hamza Hamry
- Dominican Republic Helen Peralta
- Northern Ireland Joe Fitzpatrick
- Philippines Rolando Dy
- United States Jarod Grant
- United Kingdom Brad Scott
- Wales Jack Marshman
- Wales Ash Williams
- United States Bubba McDaniel
- Canada Jesse Ronson
- Australia Lucas Browne
.svg){kind=link}
.svg){kind=link}
Staff
[edit | edit source]BYB boasts and number of high-profile personalities on its broadcast team including former UFC commentator Mike Goldberg, 2-time boxing champion Paulie Malignaggi, Ring Announcer 'Big Mo' Kody Mommaerts, Benny Ricardo, and Claudia Trejos. Longtime WWE producer Nelson Sweglar is BYB's broadcast producer.[32] In September 2022, BYB announced the hiring of Gregory Bloom as CEO.[33]
Commentary team
[edit | edit source]- Mike Goldberg (Play-by-play)
- Paulie Malignaggi (Analyst)
- Claudia Trejos (Spanish play-by-play)
- Benny Ricardo (Spanish analyst)
Honors
[edit | edit source]Vazquez, Harris and matchmaker Mel Valenzuela were each inductees into the Bare Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame's class of 2022. BYB champions Tony Lopez and Paty Juarez were also honored during the 2022 celebration.[34] Malignaggi, Ricardo, Trejos, and Goldberg were inducted as part of the 2023 class.[35]
See also
[edit | edit source]Lua error in mw.title.lua at line 392: bad argument #2 to 'title.new' (unrecognized namespace name 'Portal').
References
[edit | edit source]- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).