Bare knuckle boxing has seen a resurgence in popularity, leading to discussions and subsequent sanctioning in various states. Tennessee joined this wave, marking a significant moment for combat sports in the state.
Legalization in Tennessee
The journey to legalizing bare knuckle boxing in Tennessee began in July 2024 when the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) approved a unified set of rules for the sport. The Tennessee Athletic Commission (TAC), a member of ABC, reviewed and implemented these rules, leading to the sport's official sanctioning. Following a rulemaking hearing, the rules went into effect on March 5, opening the door for professional bare knuckle boxing events in Tennessee.
Nashville quickly became a focal point, with BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing eager to capitalize on the sport's newfound legality. The organization aimed to introduce Nashville fight fans to the action within its patented trigon ring.
BKB 42: Music City Brawl
On June 21, BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing made history by hosting BKB 42: Music City Brawl at The Pinnacle in Nashville. This event marked the first live professional bare knuckle boxing event in Tennessee since the sport's legalization. The card featured seven bare knuckle boxing world champions, showcasing their skills in BKB’s three-sided ring, the Mighty Trigon.
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Main Card Highlights:
- LT Nelson vs. Sam Liera: LT Nelson avenged his only career loss by defeating Sam Liera in the first round, retaining his BKB Super Middleweight title.
- Javon Wright vs. Carlos Guerra: Javon Wright successfully defended his Welterweight title, winning by unanimous decision.
- Jamie Driver vs. Helen Peralta: Jamie Driver won their BKB Super Lightweight Eliminator matchup by unanimous decision.
- Ike Villanueva vs. Eric Olsen: Ike Villanueva secured a first-round TKO victory over Eric Olsen.
- Marko Martinjak vs. Maurice Morris: Marko Martinjak won by a first-round knockout.
- Jarome Hatch vs. Cody East: Jarome Hatch won by Doctor’s Stoppage in the fourth round.
- Luis Guerrero vs. Luis Morales: Luis Guerrero started the main card with a second-round knockout.
Preliminary Matches:
- Devin Wallace vs. Cody Cooper: The heavyweight matchup ended in a no contest due to a knee injury to Cooper.
- Caleb Austin vs. [Opponent]: Result not specified.
The event drew a spirited crowd, eager to witness history in the making. BKB CEO Greg Bloom expressed his excitement about bringing bare knuckle boxing to Nashville, emphasizing the city's vibrant sports and entertainment scene.
Evolution of BKB
Over the past few years, BKB (formerly BYB) has grown significantly. It acquired UK-based BKB, merging the organizations to create the world's largest bare knuckle boxing company. BKB has also ushered in ethical gambling to the sport, acquired the rights to the Police Gazette Diamond Belt, and secured a deal with VICE TV to bring bare knuckle boxing to television.
The Trigon Ring
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.
Talent and Broadcast Team
BKB boasts a diverse roster of fighters and a renowned broadcast team, including Mike Goldberg, Paulie Malignaggi, Kody Mommaerts, Benny Ricardo, and Claudia Trejos.
BYB and BKB Partnership and Acquisition
In November 2021, BYB announced a talent exchange partnership with UK-based BKB, allowing fighters from each promotion to compete on the other's cards. On May 8, 2024, BYB Extreme acquired BKB, further solidifying its position in the bare knuckle boxing world. 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.
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Rebranding
On February 26, 2025, it was announced that BYB Extreme would rebrand to BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing.
Event Locations
BYB Extreme held its first event in England, BYB 12: London Brawl, on October 26, 2022. BYB hosted the first-ever bare-knuckle fighting event in the Middle East with BYB 16: Desert Brawl on March 18, 2023.
The success of BKB 42 and the growing interest in bare knuckle boxing suggest a promising future for the sport in Nashville and beyond.
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