BYB Extreme Fighting Series

Last updated

BYB Extreme Fighting Series
Industry Bare-knuckle boxing
Founded2015;9 years ago (2015)
Founder
Headquarters
Miami, Florida
,
United States
Key people
  • Gregory Bloom (CEO)
  • Mel Valenzuela (Matchmaker)

Mike Goldberg (Play-by-Play) Paulie Malignaggi (Analyst) Claudia Trejos (Spanish PBP) Benny Ricardo (Spanish Analyst)
Kody Mommaerts (Ring Announcer)
Danielle Moinet (Interviewer)

Contents

Website bybextreme.com

BYB Extreme Fighting Series (BYB) is a bare knuckle fighting organization founded in 2015 by former MMA fighter Dhafir ("Dada 5000") Harris and former NASCAR team owner Mike Vazquez whose HRT Motorsports was NASCAR's first Hispanic team. [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 it patented [4] "Trigon" ring or cage, which it touts as the smallest fighting surface in combat sports. [5]

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. [6] In 2024, BYB announced expanded coverage to Fight Network and Fuse. [7]

History

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. [8] The event was scrapped from the cruise ship with the organization citing inclement weather, and subsequently held indoors at an undisclosed location in Miami. [9]

BYB went on hiatus following Dada 5000's return to the ring at Bellator 149. The promotion would host BYB 2: Brawl for it All in Cheyenne, Wyoming on April 5, 2019, at Cheyenne Ice & Event Center. [10] That event started the current run of numbered BYB events in states including Florida and Mississippi, as well as internationally in London.

Events

EventDateLocationNotes
BYB Battleship IJune 5, 2015 Flag of the United States.svg Miami, Florida
BYB 2: Brawl for It AllApril 5, 2019 Flag of the United States.svg Cheyenne, Wyoming, Cheyenne Ice & Event Center
BYB 3: Brawl at the RockMarch 7, 2020 Flag of the United States.svg Hollywood, Florida, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood
BYB 4December 3, 2020 Flag of the United States.svg Hollywood, Florida, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood
BYB US vs. RussiaApril 10, 2021 Flag of the United States.svg Miami, Florida, BYB Arena
BYB 5May 15, 2021 Flag of the United States.svg Miami, Florida, Tamiami Park Fairgrounds
BYB 6July 16, 2021 Flag of the United States.svg Hollywood, Florida, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood
BYB 7: Brawl by the RiverSeptember 11, 2021 Flag of the United States.svg Miami, Florida, James L. Knight Center Jomi Escoboza def. Rene Rodriguez (Cruiserweight)
BYB 8: Tis the Season to BrawlDecember 18, 2021 Flag of the United States.svg Miami, Florida, James L. Knight Center
BYB 9: Tampa BrawlMarch 22, 2022 Flag of the United States.svg Tampa, Florida, Florida State Fairgrounds Jose Fernandez def. JD Burns (Super Middleweight)
BYB X: Biloxi BrawlMay 28, 2022 Flag of the United States.svg Biloxi, Mississippi, Mississippi Coast Coliseum Tony Lopez def. Jordan Mitchell (BYB Heavyweight); Paty Juarez def. Monica Medina (PG Diamond)
BYB 11: Brawl in DoralAugust 27, 2022 Flag of the United States.svg Doral, Florida, Trump National Doral Miami
BYB 12: London BrawlOctober 16, 2022 Flag of England.svg 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 AllNovember 19, 2022 Flag of the United States.svg Tampa, Florida, Florida State Fairgrounds Desmond Green def. Scott McHugh (BYB Middleweight, PG Diamond); DJ Linderman def. Tony Lopez (BYB Heavyweight)
BYB 14: Carolina BrawlDecember 9, 2022 Flag of the United States.svg Rock Hill, South Carolina, Rock Hill Sports & Event CenterFirst BK fight in SC history; Sam Liera def. LT Nelson (BYB Interim Super Middleweight)
BYB 15: Broward BrawlFebruary 3, 2023 Flag of the United States.svg Miramar, Florida, Miramar National Guard Armory
BYB 16: Desert BrawlMarch 18, 2023 Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Dubai Duty Free Tennis StadiumFirst BK fight in UAE/Gulf Region history; Jarome Hatch def. BKB's Marko Martinjak (PG Diamond)
BYB Trigon CombatApril 27, 2023 Flag of the United States.svg Costa Mesa, California, The Hangar at OC Fair & Event CenterFirst gloved event in BYB history
BYB 17: Brawl at Rock HillMay 13, 2023 Flag of the United States.svg Rock Hill, South Carolina, Rock Hill Sports & Event CenterMark Irwin def. Joshua Oxendine (BYB Lightweight); Jozette Cotton (c) def. Jamie Driver (PG Diamond)
BYB 18: Police Gazette International CupJun 25, 2023 Flag of England.svg 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 PinesAugust 10, 2023 Flag of the United States.svg Pembroke Pines, Florida, Charles F. Dodge CenterBrandon 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 BayouSeptember 16, 2023 Flag of the United States.svg Biloxi, Mississippi, Mississippi Coast Coliseum Monica Medina def. (c) Paty Juarez (BYB Lightweight, PG Diamond)
BYB 21: Fall BrawlOctober 21, 2023 Flag of the United States.svg Rock Hill, South Carolina, Rock Hill Sports & Event CenterDJ Linderman (C) def. Rashad Coulter (BYB Heavyweight)
BYB 22: Rocky Mountain BrawlDecember 2, 2023 Flag of the United States.svg Denver, Colorado, Stockyard Event CenterLT 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 IIJanuary 18, 2024 Flag of the United States.svg Pembroke Pines, Florida, Charles F. Dodge CenterMarko Martinjak (c) def. Jarome Hatch (PG Diamond); Cub Hawkins def. Daniel Lerwell (PG Diamond 185)
BYB 24: Super Brawl SaturdayFebruary 10, 2024 Flag of the United States.svg Biloxi, Mississippi, Mississippi Coast Coliseum Ike Villanueva def. DJ Linderman (BYB Heavyweight); Harold McQueen def. Brandon Birr (BYB Featherweight)
BYB 25: Brawl on the BayApril 4, 2024 Flag of the United States.svg Tampa, Florida, Florida State FairgroundsCub Hawkins def. Ryan Jett (BYB Light Heavyweight); Agnesa Kirakosian def. Shelby Cannon (BYB Super Flyweight)
BYB 26: Mile High BrawlMay 10, 2024 Flag of the United States.svg Denver, Colorado, Stockyards Event CenterLT Nelson def. Tommy Turner (BYB Middleweight)
BYB 27: Brawl in DuvalJune 14, 2024 Flag of the United States.svg Jacksonville, Florida, Prime Osborn Convention Center

Weight classes

DivisionUpper weight limit
Heavyweight Unlimited
Cruiserweight 205 lb (93 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)
Lightweight 135 lb (61 kg)
Super featherweight 130 lb (59 kg)
Featherweight 125 lb (57 kg)

Current champions

Men's

As of 16 July 2024

Weight classChampionDate won
Featherweight Harold McQueenFebruary 10, 2024
Lightweight Julio TanoriDecember 2, 2023
Welterweight Carlos AlexandreAugust 10, 2023
Middleweight LT NelsonMay 10, 2024
Super Middleweight LT NelsonDecember 2, 2023
Light Heavyweight Cub HawkinsApril 4, 2024
Heavyweight Gustavo TrujilloJuly 13, 2024

Women’s

As of 16 July 2024

Weight classChampionDate won
Super Flyweight Agnesa KirakosianApril 4, 2024
Featherweight Helen Peralta July 13, 2024
Lightweight Paty JuarezDecember 2, 2023
Super Welterweight Jozette CottonOctober 16, 2022

Police Gazette World Diamond Belt

As of 16 July 2024

Weight classChampionDate won
Women’s Lightweight Monica MedinaSeptember 16, 2023
Women’s Super Welterweight Jozette CottonOctober 16, 2022
Middleweight Desmond Green November 19, 2022
Light Heavyweight Cub HawkinsJanuary 18, 2024

Partnership with BKB

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. [11] 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. [12]

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), [13] the first female title match in UK history (Jozette Cotton def. Miranda Barber for the BYB Super Welterweight and Police Gazette Diamond Belt), [14] and Seth Shaffer defeated Carlos Guerra to win the inaugural BYB Welterweight title as well as the Police Gazette Diamond Belt. [15] The event was broadcast live on Stadium.

Acquisition of BKB

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. [16]

Trigon

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. [17] BYB in turn filed a lawsuit against alleging copyright infringement. [18]

Notable fighters on roster

Staff

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, Claudia Trejos, Al Bernstein and Dave Ryan. Former fighter Erin Toughill serves as a digital host. [19] Longtime WWE producer Nelson Sweglar is BYB's broadcast producer. [20] In September 2022, BYB announced the hiring of Gregory Bloom as CEO. [21]

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. [22] Malignaggi, Ricardo, Trejos, and Goldberg were inducted as part of the 2023 class. [23]

In February 2024, BYB announced that it added former WWE Diva Danielle "Summer Rae" Moinet to their broadcast team. [24]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ Evans, Pat (April 5, 2019). "BYB Extreme Hopes to Usher Bare Knuckle Boxing Back to Prominence". Front Office Sports. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  2. ↑ Wolf, Colin. "Dawg Fight, the insane documentary about Florida backyard fighting, is now on Netflix". Orlando Weekly. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  3. ↑ Simon, Zane (April 5, 2021). "Dada 5000 returns!? Former Bellator fighter heading to bare-knuckle boxing". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  4. ↑ Stumberg, Patrick L. (November 19, 2021). "BYB files suit against Triller over Triad Combat's triangular ring". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Former Bareknuckle Star Dada 5000 Returns To Combat Sports at BYB 13 in November". MiddleEasy. October 24, 2022. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  6. ↑ December 2023, Global sports channel beIN SPORTS to broadcast “Best of BYB” episodes in US and Canada, as well as live BYB events beginning with BYB 18 on June 25, 2023 live from London’s Indigo at the O2, and additional bare knuckle fighting events slated for August, September, October and. "BYB Extreme Bare Knuckle Fighting Series on beIN SPORTS". beIN SPORTS. Retrieved June 28, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ↑ "BYB to Expand Live Coverage and Air BYB 24 Super Brawl Saturday on Fuse and The Fight Network on February 10 AT 8PM ET". www.bybextreme.com. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  8. ↑ Series, BYB Extreme Fighting. "Back Yard Brawl (BYB) Extreme Fighting Series Presents Battleship 1 The First Ever Bareknuckle Fighting Event To Air Online". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  9. ↑ "BYB 1: Extreme Battleship 1 | Event". Tapology. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  10. ↑ Holland, Jesse (February 19, 2019). "DaDa 5000 back from the dead (literally) for 'Back Yard Brawls' inside triangle cage". MMAmania.com. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  11. ↑ KickboxingZ (November 8, 2021). "Bare Knuckle: BYB and BKB Announce New Partnership". KickboxingZ.com. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  12. ↑ "BYB Extreme Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Announces Full Card for BYB 11: Doral Brawl at Trump National in Miami". Doral Family Journal. August 9, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Pennington bare knuckle fighter to make history in the UK". Trentonian. October 14, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Miranda Barber vs. Jozette Cotton, BYB 12 | Boxing (Bare Knuckle) Bout". Tapology. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Carlos Guerra vs. Seth Shaffer, BYB 12 | Boxing (Bare Knuckle) Bout". Tapology. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  16. ↑ "BYB Extreme Bare Knuckle Fighting Series acquires UK-based BKB". MMA Mania. May 24, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  17. ↑ Holland, Jesse (October 18, 2021). "Triller steals 'Trigon' from Dada 5000, announces 'Triad Combat' for Nov. 27". MMAmania.com. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  18. ↑ Marrocco, Steven (November 19, 2021). "Triller reportedly sued by Dada 5000-fronted BYB Extreme for alleged Trigon ring ripoff". MMA Fighting. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  19. ↑ "Talk Tough with Erin Toughill". Spotify. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  20. ↑ Mike Vazquez, Nelson Sweglar talk BYB Bare Knuckle Fights, Dada 5000, Kimbo Slice, WWF, WrestleMania. jim varsallone (jimmyv3 channel). August 26, 2022. Archived from the original on November 5, 2022. Retrieved December 2, 2022– via YouTube.
  21. ↑ "On the Move". www.sportsbusinessjournal.com. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  22. ↑ BKB Hall of Fame [@BKBHOF] (June 16, 2022). "Soooo EXCITED!!!! Please join us for the 14th Annual Bare Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame Induction July 2 in Belfast, New York!!! https://t.co/VYxQRrSMXs" (Tweet). Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved December 2, 2022– via Twitter.
  23. ↑ "Quite the honor and being inducted with my powerful partner @PaulMalignaggi my TV little sister @ClaudiaTrejos and the rest of our BYB Family makes it even better!". Twitter. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Danielle Moinet (Summer Rae) Joins BYB Extreme Bare Knuckle Fighting Series". Yahoo Entertainment. February 23, 2024. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
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