| Former name | BYB Extreme Fighting Series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Bare-knuckle boxing |
| Founded | 2015 (age 11) |
| Founder |
|
| Hq location city | Miami, Florida |
| Hq location country | United States |
| Key people |
|
| Website | bybextreme.com |
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
| Event | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BYB Battleship I | June 5, 2015 | Miami, Florida | |
| BYB 2: Brawl for It All | April 5, 2019 | Cheyenne, Wyoming, Cheyenne Ice & Event Center | |
| BYB 3: Brawl at the Rock | March 7, 2020 | Hollywood, Florida, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood | |
| BYB 4 | December 3, 2020 | Hollywood, Florida, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood | |
| BYB US vs. Russia | April 10, 2021 | Miami, Florida, BYB Arena | |
| BYB 5 | May 15, 2021 | Miami, Florida, Tamiami Park Fairgrounds | |
| BYB 6 | July 16, 2021 | Hollywood, Florida, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood | |
| BYB 7: Brawl by the River | September 11, 2021 | Miami, Florida, James L. Knight Center | Jomi Escoboza def. Rene Rodriguez (Cruiserweight) |
| BYB 8: Tis the Season to Brawl | December 18, 2021 | Miami, Florida, James L. Knight Center | |
| BYB 9: Tampa Brawl | March 22, 2022 | Tampa, Florida, Florida State Fairgrounds | Jose Fernandez def. JD Burns (Super Middleweight) |
| BYB X: Biloxi Brawl | May 28, 2022 | 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 | Doral, Florida, Trump National Doral Miami | |
| BYB 12: London Brawl | October 16, 2022 | 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 | 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 | 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 | Miramar, Florida, Miramar National Guard Armory | |
| BYB 16: Desert Brawl | March 18, 2023 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | Biloxi, Mississippi, Mississippi Coast Coliseum | Monica Medina def. (c) Paty Juarez (BYB Lightweight, PG Diamond) |
| BYB 21: Fall Brawl | October 21, 2023 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | Denver, Colorado, Stockyards Event Center | LT Nelson def. Tommy Turner (BYB Middleweight) |
| BYB 27: Brawl in Duval | June 14, 2024 | Jacksonville, Florida, Prime Osborn Convention Center | |
| BYB 28: Bourbon Street Brawl | June 14, 2024 | 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 | Pembroke Pines, Florida, Charles F. Dodge Center | Gregoris Cisneros def. Cub Hawkins (BYB Light Heavyweight) |
| BYB 30: Cardiff Brawl | August 17, 2024 | Cardiff, Wales, Vale Arena | LT Nelson def. Barrie Jones (PG World Diamond) |
| BYB 31: Stockyard Brawl | August 17, 2024 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | Albuquerque, New Mexico, Revel ABQ | Javon Wright def. Walter Saravia (Vacant BYB Welterweight) |
| BYB 36: Cardiff Brawl II | February 1, 2025 | Cardiff, Wales, Vale Arena | Barrie Jones def. Gregoris Cisneros (BYB Light Heavyweight) |
| BYB 37: Denver Brawl IV | February 22, 2025 | Denver, Colorado, Stockyards Event Center | Harry Gigliotii def. Jon Barnard (BKB Super Lightweight) |
| BKB 38: Wolves Brawl II | March 22, 2025 | Wolverhampton, England, The Hangar| | LT Nelson def. James Connelly (BKB Super Middleweight) |
| BKB 39: Brawl at the Beach | April 4, 2025 | Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, John T. Rhodes Sports Center | | Cub Hawkins def. Jack Marshman (BKB Cruiserweight) |
| BKB 40: Cardiff Brawl III | April 19, 2025 | 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 | Jacksonville, Florida, Prime Osborn Convention Center | Jarod Grant def. Jorge Bargallo (BKB Interim Lightweight) |
| BKB 42: Music City Brawl | June 21, 2025 | 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 | Bolton, England, The Hideout | Harry Gigliotti def. Kallum Skhane (BKB Super Lightweight) |
| BKB 44: Denver Brawl V | August 16, 2025 | Denver, Colorado, Stockyards Event Center | Paty Juarez def. Khortni Kamyron (BKB Lightweight) |
Weight classes
| Division | Upper weight limit |
|---|---|
| Heavyweight | 265 lb (120 kg) |
| Bridgerweight | 225 lb (102 kg) |
| Super Cruiserweight | 205 lb (93 kg) |
| Cruiserweight | 185 lb (84 kg) |
| Light Heavyweight | 175 lb (79 kg) |
| Super Middleweight | 168 lb (76 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
Men's
As of
| Weight class | Champion | Date won |
|---|---|---|
| Featherweight | Yampier Ramirez | March 29, 2026 |
| 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
As of
| 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
As of
| 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
Heavyweight Championship
- Weight limit: 265 lbs (120 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tony Lopez def. Jordan Mitchell | BYB X: Biloxi Brawl Biloxi, Mississippi | May 22, 2022 | |
| 2 | DJ Linderman | BYB 13: Tampa Brawl For It All Tampa, Florida | November 22, 2022 | 1. def. Rashad Coulter at BYB 21: Fall Brawl on October 21, 2023 |
| 3 | Ike Villanueva | BYB 24: Super Brawl Saturday Biloxi, Mississippi | February 10, 2024 | |
| 4 | Gustavo Trujillo | BYB 28: Bourbon Street Brawl New Orleans, Louisiana | June 14, 2024 | 1. def. Richie Leak at BYB 34: Brawl in the Pines IV on December 6, 2024 2. def. Lucas Browne at BKB 48: Night of Four Kings on November 22, 2025 |
Bridgerweight Championship
- Weight limit: 225 lbs (102 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dan Podmore def. Ryan Barrett | BYB 33: Wolverhampton Brawl Wolverhampton, England, The Hangar | November 9, 2024 | 1. def. Emil Markic at BKB 40: Cardiff Brawl III on April 19, 2025 |
| 2 | Marko Martinjak | BKB 47: Leeds Brawl II Leeds, England | October 18, 2025 | 1. def. Ike Villanueva at BKB 51: Heavy Lies The Crown on February 21, 2026 |
Super Cruiserweight Championship
- Weight limit: 205 lbs (93 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marko Martinjak def. Brad Scott | BYB 33: Wolverhampton Brawl Wolverhampton, England, The Hangar | November 9, 2024 | |
| Martinjak vacated the title on October 23, 2025, to focus on the Bridgerweight division. | ||||
| Julian Fernandez and Yordan Fuentes fought to a No-Contest on November 22, 2025, at BKB 48: Knight of Four Kings for the title. | ||||
| 2 | Julian Fernandez def. Alex Wilson | BKB 52: No Turning Back Ledyard, Connecticut, Foxwoods Resort Casino | March 28, 2026 | |
Cruiserweight Championship
- Weight limit: 185 lbs (84 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jomi Escoboza def. Rene Rodriguez | BYB 7: Brawl by the River Miami, Florida, James L. Knight Center | September 11, 2021 | |
| The Cruiserweight title was vacated. | ||||
| 2 | Cub Hawkins def. Daniel Lerwell | BYB 23: Brawl in the Pines II Pembroke Pines, Florida, Charles F. Dodge Center | January 18, 2024 | 1. def. Zion Tomlinson Sr. at BYB 34: Brawl in the Pines IV on December 6, 2024 2. def. Jack Marshman at BKB 39: Brawl at the Beach on April 4, 2025 |
Light Heavyweight Championship
- Weight limit: 175 lbs (79 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cub Hawkins def. Ryan Jett | BYB 25: Brawl on the Bay Tampa, Florida, Florida State Fairgrounds | April 4, 2024 | |
| 2 | Gregoris Cisneros | BYB 29: Brawl in the Pines III Pembroke Pines, Florida Charles F. Dodge Center | August 10, 2024 | |
| 3 | Barrie Jones | BYB 36: Cardiff Brawl II Cardiff, Wales, Vale Arena | February 1, 2025 | |
| 4 | Cub Hawkins (2) | BKB 48: Night of Four Kings Pembroke Pines, Florida Charles F. Dodge Center | November 22, 2025 | 1. def. Jesse Ronson at BKB 52: No Turning Back on March 28, 2026 |
Super Middleweight Championship
- Weight limit: 168 Ibs (76 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jose Fernandez def. JD Burns | BYB 9: Tampa Brawl Tampa, Florida, Florida State Fairgrounds | March 22, 2022 | |
| - | Sam Liera def. LT Nelson for interim title | BYB 14: Carolina Brawl Rock Hill, South Carolina, Rock Hill Sports & Event Center | December 9, 2022 | |
| 2 | Sam Liera | BYB 19: Brawl in the Pines Pembroke Pines, Florida, Charles F. Dodge Center | August 10, 2023 | |
| Liera retired. | ||||
| 3 | LT Nelson def. Robert Serna | BYB 22: Rocky Mountain Brawl Denver, Colorado, Stockyard Event Center | December 2, 2023 | 1. def. James Connelly at BKB 38: Wolves Brawl II on March 22, 2025 2. def. Sam Liera at BKB 42: Music City Brawl on June 21, 2025 |
Middleweight Championship
- Weight limit: 160 lb (73 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Desmond Green def. Scott McHugh | BYB 13: Tampa Brawl For It All Tampa, Florida, Florida State Fairgrounds | November 19, 2022 | |
| The Middleweight title was vacated. | ||||
| 2 | LT Nelson def. Tommy Turner | BYB 26: Mile High Brawl Denver, Colorado, Stockyards Event Center | May 10, 2024 | 1. def. Mark Tiffin at BKB 53: The Harder They Fall on April 17, 2026 |
Super Welterweight Championship
- Weight limit: 154 lb (70 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liam Rees def. Scott McHugh | BYB 32: Leeds Brawl Leeds, England, John Charles Centre for Sport | October 12, 2024 | 1. def. Martin Reffell at BKB 40: Cardiff Brawl III on April 19, 2025 |
| 2 | Rolando Dy | BKB 49: Dance of the Dragons Cardiff, Wales, Vale Arena | December 5, 2025 | 1. def. Paulie Malignaggi at BKB 54: Mayhem in Manchester on May 16, 2026 |
Welterweight Championship
- Weight limit: 147 lbs (67 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seth Shaffer def. Carlos Guerra | BYB 12: London Brawl London, England, Indigo at The O2 | October 16, 2022 | |
| The Welterweight title was vacated. | ||||
| 2 | Carlos Alexandre def. Andre Ewell | BYB 19: Brawl in the Pines Pembroke Pines, Florida, Charles F. Dodge Center | August 10, 2023 | |
| The Welterweight title was vacated. | ||||
| 3 | Javon Wright def. Walter Saravia | BYB 35: Albuquerque Brawl Albuquerque, New Mexico, Revel ABQ | January 11, 2025 | 1. def. Carlos Guerra at BKB 42: Music City Brawl on June 21, 2025 2. def. Dan Gittens at BKB 54: Mayhem in Manchester on May 16, 2026 |
Super Lightweight Championship
- Weight limit: 140 lbs (64 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harry Gigliotti def. Joe Fitzpatrick | BYB 32: Leeds Brawl Leeds, England, John Charles Centre for Sport | October 12, 2024 | 1. def. Jon Barnard at BYB 37: Denver Brawl IV on February 22, 2025 2. def. Kallum Skhane at BKB 43: Bolton Brawl on July 5, 2025 |
| Gigliotti vacated the title on January 5, 2026 to fight for the BKFC | ||||
| 2 | Estevan Partida def. Kallum Skhane | BKB 54: Mayhem in Manchester Manchester, United Kingdom, AO Arena | May 16, 2026 | |
Lightweight Championship
- Weight limit: 135 lbs (61 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mark Irwin def. Joshua Oxendine | BYB 17: Brawl at Rock Hill Rock Hill, South Carolina, Rock Hill Sports & Event Center | May 13, 2023 | |
| 2 | Julio Tanori | BYB 22: Rocky Mountain Brawl Denver, Colorado, Stockyard Event Center | December 2, 2023 | 1. def. Mark Irwin at BYB 31: Stockyard Brawl on September 21, 2024 |
| - | Jarod Grant def. Jorge Bargallo for interim title | BKB 41: Brawl in Duval II Jacksonville, Florida,Prime Osborn Convention Center | May 31, 2025 | |
| Tanori was stripped of the title due to inactivity defending it. | ||||
| 3 | Jarod Grant promoted to undisputed champion | September, 2025 | NC vs. Jon Barnard at BKB 48: Night of Four Kings on November 22, 2025 | |
| 4 | Jon Barnard | BKB 53: The Harder They Fall Niagara Falls, New York, Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino | April 17, 2026 | |
Super Featherweight Championship
- Weight limit: 130 lbs (59 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alberto Blas def. Harold McQueen | BKB 50: Evolution Miami, Florida, James L. Knight Center | January 31, 2026 |
Featherweight Championship
- Weight limit: 125 lbs (57 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brandon Birr def. Harold McQueen | BYB 19: Brawl in the Pines Pembroke Pines, Florida, Charles F. Dodge Cente | August 10, 2023 | |
| 2 | Harold McQueen | BYB 24: Super Brawl Saturday Biloxi, Mississippi, Mississippi Coast Coliseum | February 10, 2024 | |
| McQueen was stripped of the title on September 26, 2025 after failing to show up for weigh-ins for his scheduled title defense against Yampier Ramirez. | ||||
| 3 | Yampier Ramirez def. Ash Williams | BKB 52: No Turning Back Ledyard, Connecticut, Foxwoods Resort Casino | March 28, 2026 | |
Women's championship history
Super Welterweight Championship
- Weight limit: 154 lb (70 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jozette Cotton def. Miranda Barber | BYB 12: London Brawl London, England, Indigo at The O2 | October 16, 2022 | {{small|1. def. Jamie Driver at BYB 17: Brawl at Rock Hill on May 13, 2023 |
| Cotton vacated the title. The title is currently defunct and no longer an active weight class. | ||||
Welterweight Championship
- Weight limit: 147 lb (67 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jamie Driver def. Sonya Dreiling | BYB 34: Brawl in the Pines IV Pembroke Pines, Florida, Charles F. Dodge Center | December 6, 2024 | {{small|1. def. Bianca Daimoni at BKB 50: Evolution on January 31, 2026 |
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.[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
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
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
- Juan Adams
- Josh Burns
- Rashad Coulter
- Andre Ewell
- Desmond Green
- Ike Villanueva
- Hamza Hamry
- Helen Peralta
- Joe Fitzpatrick
- Rolando Dy
- Jarod Grant
- Brad Scott
- Jack Marshman
- Ash Williams
- Bubba McDaniel
- Jesse Ronson
- Lucas Browne
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, 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
- Mike Goldberg (Play-by-play)
- Paulie Malignaggi (Analyst)
- Claudia Trejos (Spanish play-by-play)
- Benny Ricardo (Spanish analyst)
Honors
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
References
- ^ Evans, Pat (April 5, 2019). "BYB Extreme Hopes to Usher Bare Knuckle Boxing Back to Prominence". Front Office Sports. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
- ^ Wolf, Colin. "Dawg Fight, the insane documentary about Florida backyard fighting, is now on Netflix". Orlando Weekly. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
- ^ Simon, Zane (April 5, 2021). "Dada 5000 returns!? Former Bellator fighter heading to bare-knuckle boxing". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
- ^ Stumberg, Patrick L. (November 19, 2021). "BYB files suit against Triller over Triad Combat's triangular ring". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
- ^ "Former Bareknuckle Star Dada 5000 Returns To Combat Sports at BYB 13 in November". MiddleEasy. October 24, 2022. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
- ^ Glasspiegel, Ryan (2025-02-13). "Vice Pivots to Live Sports With Bare-Knuckle Boxing". Front Office Sports. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
- ^ "Programación EN VIVO en Telemundo Deportes Ahora: Pasión que se vive en tiempo real" (in Spanish). TELEMUNDO.com. 2025-08-14. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
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- ^ "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 2023-08-23.