Company type | Private |
---|---|
Industry | Bare-knuckle boxing promotion |
Founded | October 2021 |
Founder | Nick Chapman |
Headquarters | Pattaya, Chonburi province, Thailand |
Key people | Nick Chapman Vathanai Vathanakul |
Website | www |
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Thailand (BKFC Thailand), officially known as Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Asia (BKFC Asia), is a bare-knuckle boxing promotion based in Pattaya, Thailand. It is the officially licensed branch of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) in Asia. BKFC Asia is the first promotion in Thailand and Asia to receive full international licensing and sanctioning for bare-knuckle boxing. Founded in 2021, BKFC Asia has held 5 total events as of November 2023.
Before the establishment of BKFC Thailand, Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship partnered with Thailand-based Full Metal Dojo to organize a bare-knuckle boxing event titled Bare Knuckle Kingdom . The event took place in Phuket on March 5, 2021, featuring a number of fighters who would later compete on BKFC Thailand, including Po Denman, Steve Banks, Tee Jay Chang, Souris Manfredi, Jonny Tello, Kristof Kirsch, and Jean Carlos Pereira. [1] [2] Future BKFC Asia CEO Nick Chapman also served as a referee in the event. Bare Knuckle Kingdom garnered a mixed response from viewers, who praised the quality of the fights but criticized the event for its ring announcer, commentary team, and low production value. [3]
BKFC Thailand was founded in October 2021 by British former MMA fighter and referee Nick Chapman with the help of BKFC president David Feldman. BKFC Thailand events are managed by Nick Chapman and Vathanai Vathanakul. [4]
BKFC Thailand held its inaugural event, titled BKFC Thailand 1: The Game Changer , on December 18, 2021, at the Pattaya Exhibition And Convention Hall (PEACH) in the Royal Cliff Hotels Group. The event featured big names like former two-division WBC boxing champion Sirimongkol Singmanasak and future ONE Championship Muay Thai fighter Sinsamut Klinmee. [5] As the organization continued to expand, BKFC Thailand underwent a rebranding to BKFC Asia on November 14, 2022. Despite the name change, events hosted in Thailand retained the BKFC Thailand designation to maintain regional recognition.
In October 2023, BKFC Asia agreed to a broadcast partnership deal with TrueVisions, where True Sports would air BKFC Asia events. [6] On November 4, 2023, BKFC Thailand 5: Legends of Siam was aired live through True Sports, becoming the first bare-knuckle boxing event to be aired on Thai television. [7]
BKFC Thailand conducts its matches inside a circular four-roped ring, known as the "Squared Circle." The Squared Circle is a nod to historical bare-knuckle boxing, featuring two scratch lines that are positioned three feet apart at the center of the ring. These lines are a homage to the Broughton Rules (specifically the London Prize Ring Rules), which were the cornerstone of 19th-century bare-knuckle fighting regulations. At the start of each round, fighters are required to place their front foot on their respective scratch line, a directive commonly referred to as "Toe the Line." The command "Knuckle Up," issued immediately afterward, signals the start of the action. [8]
Bare Knuckle Thai rules are similar to Muay Thai, with the notable exception that competitors fight without gloves. Matches consist of five rounds, with each round lasting two minutes. The rules permit the use of kicks, punches, elbows, and knees, but explicitly prohibit trips and sweeps. Fighters must also remain active in a clinch, which lasts for three seconds. In the event of a draw, a sixth extension round will be fought to determine a winner. BKFC Thailand held the first special rules Bare Knuckle Thai bout, featuring Muay Thai legends Buakaw Banchamek and Saenchai, at BKFC Thailand 5: Legends of Siam on November 4, 2023. [9] [10]
The first BKFC Thailand champions were crowned at BKFC Thailand 2: Iconic Impact on May 7, 2022. Sirimongkol Singmanasak defeated Mike Vetrila to win the BKFC Thailand Light Heavyweight Championship while Fani Peloumpi defeated Souris Manfredi to win the BKFC Thailand Women's Strawweight Championship. [11]
On July 14, 2022, it was announced that Muay Thai legend and former K-1 World MAX champion Buakaw Banchamek had signed with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. [12] Buakaw made his bare-knuckle boxing debut at BKFC Thailand 3: Moment of Truth on September 3, 2022.
On August 2, 2022, it was announced that Muay Thai legend Saenchai had signed with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. [13] Saenchai made his debut at BKFC Thailand 5: Legends of Siam on November 4, 2023.
Division | Champion | Since | Defenses |
---|---|---|---|
Light Heavyweight / 84 kg (185 lb) | ![]() | May 7, 2022 | 0 |
Featherweight / 66 kg (146 lb) | ![]() | November 4, 2023 | 0 |
Women's Strawweight / 52 kg (115 lb) | ![]() | November 4, 2023 | 0 |
No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() def. Mike Vetrila | BKFC Thailand 1 Pattaya, Thailand | May 7, 2022 |
No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() def. Pongpisan Chunyong | BKFC Thailand 3 Bangkok, Thailand | September 3, 2022 | |
Surasak Sukkhamcha vacated the BKFC Thailand Featherweight Championship. | ||||
2 | ![]() def. Sarun Srioumboo | BKFC Thailand 5 Pattaya, Thailand | November 4, 2023 |
No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() def. Souris Manfredi | BKFC Thailand 2 Pattaya, Thailand | May 7, 2022 | |
2 | ![]() | BKFC Thailand 5 Pattaya, Thailand | November 4, 2023 |
BKFC Thailand 1: The Game Changer | |
---|---|
Information | |
Promotion | Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship |
Date | December 18, 2021 |
Venue | Royal Cliff Hotels Group |
City | Pattaya, Thailand |
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Thailand 1: The Game Changer was a bare-knuckle fighting event by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship held on December 18, 2021, in Thailand. [14]
Tee Jay Chang and Fabiano Hawthorne were scheduled to headline the event. In the co-main event, Sirimongkol Singmanasak and Reza Goodary will face each other. [15] Hawthorne later withdrew due to injury and was replaced by Keivan Soleimani. [16]
BKFC Thailand 1: The Game Changer | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weight Class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
Welterweight 75 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | KO (punches) | 1 | 0:30 | |
Light heavyweight 84 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | Decision (split) | 5 | 2:00 | |
Preliminary Card | |||||||
Middleweight 80 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | Decision (split) | 5 | 2:00 | |
Featherweight 66 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | TKO (punches) | 3 | 1:48 | |
Welterweight 75 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | Decision (split) | 5 | 2:00 | |
Middleweight 80 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 2:00 | |
W.Strawweight 52 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | KO (punch) | 3 | 0:23 | |
Heavyweight 120 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | TKO (retirement) | 2 | 0:58 | |
Featherweight 66 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 2:00 | |
Featherweight 66 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 2:00 | |
Strawweight 53.5 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | KO (punch) | 2 | 1:27 |
BKFC Thailand 2: Iconic Impact | |
---|---|
Information | |
Promotion | Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship |
Date | May 7, 2022 |
Venue | Royal Cliff Hotels Group |
City | Pattaya |
BKFC Thailand 2: Iconic Impact was a bare-knuckle fighting event held by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship on May 7, 2022, in Pattaya, Thailand.
In the main event, Sirimongkol Singmanasak and Mike Vetrila competed for the inaugural BKFC Thailand Light Heavyweight Championship. [17]
The co-main event saw Souris Manfredi facing Fani Peloumpi for the inaugural BKFC Thailand Women's Strawweight Championship. [18]
BKFC Thailand 2: Iconic Impact | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weight Class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
Light Heavyweight 84 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | Decision (split) | 5 | 2:00 | For the inaugural BKFC Thailand Light Heavyweight Championship |
W.Strawweight 52 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | Decision (split) | 5 | 2:00 | For the inaugural BKFC Thailand Women's Strawweight Championship |
Heavyweight 120 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | KO (punch) | 2 | 0:14 | |
Welterweight 75 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 2:00 | |
Lightweight 70 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 2:00 | |
Featherweight 66 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | KO (punches) | 1 | 1:50 | |
Welterweight 75 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 2:00 | |
Lightweight 70 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | TKO (shoulder injury) | 3 | 2:00 | |
Flyweight 57 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | KO (punches) | 1 | 1:23 | |
W.Catchweight 60 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | KO (punches) | 3 | 0:49 |
BKFC Thailand 3: Moment of Truth | |
---|---|
Information | |
Promotion | Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship |
Date | September 3, 2022 |
Venue | CentralWorld Live at 8floor CentralWorld |
City | Bangkok, Thailand |
BKFC Thailand 3: Moment of Truth was a bare-knuckle fighting event held by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship on September 3, 2022, in Bangkok, Thailand.
The main event will feature Muay Thai legend and two-time K-1 World MAX Champion Buakaw Banchamek making his bare-knuckle debut against Turkish kickboxing champion Erkan Varol. Pongpisan Chunyong will face Surasak Sukkhamcha for the inaugural BKFC Thailand Featherweight Championship in the co-main event. [20]
BKFC Thailand 3 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weight Class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
Lightweight 70 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | KO (punches) | 1 | 1:50 | |
Featherweight 66 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | Ext.R Decision (majority) | 6 | 2:00 | For the inaugural BKFC Thailand Featherweight Championship. |
Cruiserweight 93 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | TKO (doctor stoppage) | 3 | 0:41 | |
Heavyweight 120 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | KO (punch) | 1 | 0:53 | |
Lightweight 70 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | KO (punches) | 3 | 1:55 | |
Middleweight 79 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 2:00 | |
Featherweight 66 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | KO (punches) | 2 | 0:36 | |
W.Bantamweight 61 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | KO (punches) | 1 | 1:12 | |
Bantamweight 61 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 2:00 | |
W.Flyweight 57 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | KO (punch) | 1 | 1:41 | |
Featherweight 66 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | Decision (split) | 5 | 2:00 | |
Middleweight 79 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | KO (punch) | 1 | 2:00 |
BKFC Asia 4: The Big Bash | |
---|---|
Information | |
Promotion | Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship |
Date | December 10, 2022 |
Venue | SpacePlus Bangkok RCA |
City | Bangkok, Thailand |
BKFC Asia 4: The Big Bash was a bare-knuckle fighting event held by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship at SpacePlus Bangkok RCA on December 10, 2022, in Bangkok, Thailand.
The event was headlined by the bare-knuckle boxing debut of UFC and Brave CF veteran Rolando Dy, who faced Thailand boxing champion Apisit Sangmuang. [22]
BKFC Asia 4 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weight Class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
Lightweight 70 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | KO | 1 | 0:42 | |
W.Flyweight 57 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 2:00 | |
Welterweight 75 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | KO | 2 | 1:23 | |
Featherweight 66 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 2:00 | |
Lightweight 70 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | KO | 4 | 1:50 | |
Featherweight 66 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | TKO (shoulder injury) | 2 | 0:47 | |
Featherweight 66 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | KO | 1 | 1:30 | |
Preliminary Card | |||||||
Featherweight 66 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | KO | 2 | 1:10 | |
Bantamweight 61 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | KO | 2 | 1:18 | |
Bantamweight 61 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | KO | 3 | 0:56 |
BKFC Thailand 5 | |
---|---|
Information | |
Promotion | Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship |
Date | November 4, 2023 |
Venue | Royal Cliff Hotels Group |
City | Pattaya |
BKFC Thailand 5: Legends of Siam was a bare-knuckle fighting event held by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship on November 4, 2023.
The event was headlined by a Special Rules Bare Knuckle Thai Fight featuring Muay Thai icons Buakaw Banchamek vs. Saenchai, who were scheduled to face each other in March 2023. [24]
The co-main event featured a title match between defending champion Fani Peloumpi and Po Denman for the BKFC Thailand Strawweight Championship. Also on the card was a title fight for the vacant BKFC Thailand Featherweight Championship between Krisana Srisang and Sarun Srioumboo.
Bonus awards
The following fighters were awarded bonuses:
BKFC Thailand 5 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weight Class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
Lightweight 70 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 2:00 | Special Thai Rules bout |
W.Strawweight 52 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 2:00 | For the BKFC Thailand Women's Strawweight Championship |
Featherweight 66 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | KO | 3 | 0:18 | For the vacant BKFC Thailand Featherweight Championship |
Lightweight 70 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | KO | 2 | 0:45 | |
Cruiserweight 93 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | TKO (referee stoppage) | 1 | 2:00 | Hand injury |
Featherweight 66 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | KO | 1 | 1:13 | |
Featherweight 66 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | KO | 2 | 0:43 | |
Light Heavyweight 84 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | TKO | 5 | 0:50 | |
Cruiserweight 93 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | KO | 2 | ||
Preliminary Card | |||||||
Featherweight 66 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 2:00 | Fight of the Night. Judges' scorecards: 50–44, 50–44, 50–44 |
Middleweight 79 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 2:00 | Judges' scorecards: 50–44, 50–44, 50–44 |
Lightweight 70 kg | ![]() | def. | ![]() | Decision (split) | 5 | 2:00 | Judges' scorecards: 48–47, 48–47, 47–48 |
Sombat Banchamek a.k.a. Buakaw Banchamek is a professional Muay Thai fighter and kickboxer from Thailand of ethnic Kuy descent, who formerly fought out of Por. Pramuk Gym, in Bangkok, Thailand, under the ring name Buakaw Por. Pramuk.
Sirimongkol Singmanasak is a Thai professional boxer, bare-knuckle boxer and kickboxer. He is a world champion in two weight classes, having held the WBC bantamweight title in 1997 and the WBC super-featherweight title from 2002 to 2003. His other names were Sirimongkol Nakhon Thong Park View, Sirimongkol Singwancha, Sirimongkol Nakornloung, and Sirimongkhon Iamthuam.
Lumpinee Boxing Stadium is a sporting arena in Bangkok, Thailand. Opened more than a decade later than Rajadamnern Stadium, Lumpinee is run by the Royal Thai Army. It has become the symbol of modern Muay Thai. Only Rajadamnern Stadium rivals the prestige of holding the title of "Muay Thai Champion of Lumpinee". The ranking system and championship titles are held from mini flyweight (105 lb) up to super welterweight (154 lb).
Suphachai "Saenchai" Saepong, formerly known as Saenchai Sor. Kingstar, is a Thai muaythai of Khon Isan descent. Saenchai won the Lumpinee Stadium title, which is widely considered the most prestigious title in Muay Thai, in four different weight divisions, while mostly fighting larger opponents. He is considered by many to be the best pound for pound Muay Thai fighter, and is regarded as one of the best fighters of all time. Saenchai would often give up weight to find worthy opponents in Thailand, and from 2003 to 2014 only lost two times in Thailand when the weights were equal, with all other losses happening when he was forced to have a weight disadvantage to make the fights more equal.
Dat Nguyen is a Vietnamese-born American boxer and bare-knuckle boxer. He recently competed in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship and was the BKFC Bantamweight Champion.
Fabio Pinca is an Italian-French Muay Thai kickboxer and mixed martial artist. Pinca is currently signed to ONE Championship. In 2010, Pinca became the first winner of the annual Thai Fight tournament.
Sam-A Gaiyanghadao, born Wacharit Chuabram, is a Muay Thai fighter from Thailand who currently competes in ONE Championship. He is a former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion, ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Champion and ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion. He formerly trained and taught at Evolve MMA in Singapore. As of 1 August 2020, he is ranked the #6 strawweight in the world by Combat Press.
Mark Godbeer is an English bare-knuckle boxer and former mixed martial artist. A professional MMA competitor from 2009 until 2018, he competed for the UFC, Bellator MMA, Absolute Championship Akhmat, and BAMMA. He is a former BAMMA heavyweight champion. In bare-knuckle boxing, he is a former Valor heavyweight champion, and a BKB British heavyweight champion.
Yokkao Boxing is a Muay Thai brand headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand.
Christine Ferea is an American bare-knuckle boxer who competes in the flyweight division of the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), where she is the current BKFC Flyweight Champion.
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) is an American bare-knuckle boxing promotion based in Philadelphia. BKFC is the first promotion to hold an official state-sanctioned and commissioned bare-knuckle boxing event in the United States since 1889. Its first event was held in 2018, with 49 "numbered" events held as of August 2023.
Azize Hlali is a French-Moroccan welterweight Muay Thai fighter. He is a former WPMF European Champion.
The year 2021 was the 4th 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 Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 18.
The year 2022 was the 5th year in the history of the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, a bare-knuckle fighting promotion based in Philadelphia.
The year 2023 was the 13th year in the history of the ONE Championship, a mixed martial arts, kickboxing, Muay Thai and submission grappling promotion based in Cayman Islands.
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 November 2023, BKFC UK has held 5 events, all of which have taken place in England.
Sinsamut Klinmee is a Thai Muay Thai fighter and Bare knuckle boxer who competes in the lightweight division of ONE Championship.
The year 2023 was the 6th year in the history of the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, a bare-knuckle fighting promotion based in Philadelphia.
Chaloemporn Sawatsuk is a Thai professional boxer and Muay Thai kickboxer who has held the Asian Boxing Federation (ABF) welterweight and World Boxing Council (WBC) Asia Silver light heavyweight titles. He has fought across five different weight classes in boxing: welterweight, middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight, and cruiserweight. In kickboxing, he also competed for the Japanese promotion RISE. He is also known by the ring names Chaloemporn Singwancha and Kontualai JM Boxinggym.
Britain Hart is an American professional boxer and bare-knuckle boxer. She currently competes in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) where she is the current and inaugural BKFC Women's Strawweight Champion. As a boxer, she competed in the featherweight division.