John Bryan has spent over two decades working for MGM, Disney and Warner Brothers and leads BYB’s broadcast and streaming partnership efforts. In regards to this acquisition Bryan noted, “The future is now. Major consumer brands and mainstream broadcasters and streaming services are quickly recognizing the untapped value of bare-knuckle fighting and its inevitable impact on the market.”

“BYB pioneered the sport and, having put together a sustainable roadmap for both the organization and the sport’s international growth, BYB has just accelerated this entire process by instantly increasing not only its live show output, but also its sponsored content library.”

BKB

Jim Freeman and Joe Smith-Brown began BKB in 2015l frequently running the Liverpool Echo Arena, London’s Indigo at the O2, has promoted internationally in Phuket, Thailand. BKB showcases a roster of over 175 combatants who are among some of the best bare-knuckle fighters in the world including Jimmy Sweeney, Marko Martinjak, Barrie Jones and Dan Chapman.

Both Freeman and Smith-Brown will stay with BYB in executive roles. Freeman will continue to handle day-to-day operations for BYB Extreme in Europe while Smith-Brown will stay on with BYB Extreme to oversee continued European expansion.

BYB president Mike Vazquez said, “This is an unprecedented tipping point in mainstream bare-knuckle fighting globally. Since the inception of both companies, we’ve maintained and developed a working relationship with BKB that has showcased cross-promotional fights since 2021, giving fans what they truly want and deserve: the best fighters in the world, taking the gloves off and facing one another in the oldest and purest form of combat sports. This acquisition was a natural next step in becoming the biggest, baddest bare-knuckle company in the world, with the largest international footprint and over 250 fighters from six continents and over two dozen countries, not to mention broadcasting on numerous platforms, globally, and to millions of people.”

BKB’s Smith-Brown stated, “Over the past decade, we’ve had the pleasure of growing alongside BYB, and in doing so are proud to have paved the way for bare-knuckle to grow throughout Europe and the World. BKB has been instrumental in ushering the fastest-growing combat sport on the planet to meet its growing international demand. We are proud to have created one of the world’s leading combat sports companies, and the acquisition by BYB is evidence of that. From here, the sky’s the limit. There’s now no better place or bigger stage than BYB for fighters and fans alike in the bare-knuckle arena.”

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BKBtm, a bare-knuckle boxing promotion based out of England, is getting bigger and bigger, and the proof is in the stacked BKB 17 fight card.

In addition to the main event between Jimmy Sweeney and Edgar Puerta, the PPV fight card features three title fights, which includes the ‘PrizeFighter’ finals between Ricardo Franco and James Connelly, and a super-middleweight title bout, where Ricky Nelder and Rob Boardman battle for the vacant title.

Jimmy Sweeney, who’s set to defend his lightweight title, welcomes former WBC champion Edgar Puerta to the newly legalized sport of bare-knuckle boxing in the main event. The possessor of 19 knockouts, Puerta promises an upset in tonights main-event, however, having just signed a new two-year contract with BKB, Sweeney says he’s the best, “and always will be” following his recent signing. The victor will meet the winner of the ‘PrizeFighter’ finals later this year.

BKB 17 Official Results

Main Card

• Jimmy Sweeney def. Edgar Puerta via unanimous decision – Lightweight Title
• Ricardo Franco def. James Connelly via unanimous decision – ‘PrizeFighter’ Finals
• Rob Boardman def. Ricky Nelder via knockout, round 1 – Super-Middleweight Title
• Dom McConnell def. Mitch Turner via knockout, round 1
• Scott McHugh def. Sean McFarlane via knockout, round 2
• Marley Churcher def. Danny Anderson via knockout, round 3
• Daniel Podmore def. Josh Burns via technical knockout, round 3
• James Lilley def. Jonny Lawson via unanimous decision
• Paul Hilz def. Greg Mayne via technical knockout, round 1

Preliminaries

• John Hicks def. Jamie Oldfield via unanimous decision
• Connor Tierney def. Liam Cullen via unanimous decision
• Mason Shaw def. Dave Thomas via unanimous decision

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Today (Saturday), BKB brings their 17th event back to the Indigo at the O2 in London, England, headlined by ‘The Celtic Warrior’ Jimmy Sweeney (three-division champion) and Edgar Puerta (former WBC champion).

In addition to the much anticipated lightweight title fight, the ‘PrizeFighter’ finals will take place in the co-main event, where James Connelly and Ricardo Franco fight for the tournament title, £10,000 and the Jack Broughton trophy.

If that wasn’t enough, Ricky Nelder also makes his return to action, taking on Rob Boardman for the world super-middleweight title.

Here are your BKB 17 weigh-in results:

• Jimmy Sweeney (162.4lbs) vs. Edgar Puerta (159.6lbs)
• James Connelly (160lbs) vs. Ricardo Franco (172.2lbs)
• Rob Boardman (183.4lbs) vs. Ricky Nelder (193.2lbs)
• Mitch Turner (183.4lbs) vs. Dom McConnell (169.4lbs)
• Scott McHugh (155.4lbs) vs. Sean McFarlane (170.8lbs)
• Danny Anderson (193.2lbs) vs. Marley Churcher (190.4lbs)
• Daniel Podmore (264.6lbs) vs. Josh Burns (274.4lbs)
• Jonny Lawson (159.6lbs) vs. James Lilley (163.8lbs)
• Greg Mayne (179.2) vs. Paul Hilz (177.8lbs)
• Jamie Oldfield (155.4lbs) vs. John Hicks (155.4lbs)
• Connor Tierney (173.6lbs) vs. Liam Cullen (179.2lbs)
• Dave Thomas (211.4lbs) vs. Mason Shaw (211.4lbs)

Editor’s Note: Adam LeBarr is a staff writer for BKB.

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Adam LeBarr is the BKB™ Staff Writer

As the countdown continues, BKB 16 is fast approaching, which will be BKB™‘s biggest fight card to date. Featuring the main event British championship bout between Brad Pickett, who is a UFC legend, and the more experienced bare-knuckle brawler, Mark Handley, the upcoming PPV card will also hold three additional title fight.

Following a loss to Marlon Vera in March of 2017, Pickett would announce his retirement from combat sports. While he remained active in regards to training and working along side the up-and-comers of mixed martial arts, it wouldn’t be until now that ‘One Punch’ would announce the end of his retirement, only this time he’ll be competing in bare-knuckle boxing for the English promotion.

Welcoming Pickett to the BKB ring at the O2 Arena in London, England, is Handley, who holds a professional bare-knuckle boxing record of 2-0-1. Having competed in mixed martial arts, holding a losing record, it wasn’t until Handley tried his hands at the newly legalized sport where he would find success, yet to face defeat.

Four Champions will be Crowned, Prize Fighter Finals to be Set

While Jim Freeman Dove and Joe Brown-Smith (BKB™ co-owners) announced the main-event, in addition to that, there will also be three more title fights, as well as the semi-finals of the Prize Fighter tournament, the winner receiving £10,000, which converts to roughly $13,000 USD.

In the co-main event, Marc Navarro will take on Sean George for the British title.

Navarro is coming off of a BKB 15 main-event loss to Tyler Goodjohn, a fight that has gathered more than 500,000 views on YouTube.

With no victory in his first outing, Navarro is a former kickboxing champion, and though he wound up on the losing end of his last contest, he will look to break into the win column with a title wrapped around his waist. However, he will be taking on the more experienced Sean George, who holds a record of 8-3-2 in BKB, and is 6-1 in kick boxing.

A working and family man, George somehow finds time to remain one of the most active athletes in bare-knuckle boxing. A former British and World champion for BKB™, George has his eyes set on taking back what was his.

It was originally Tyler Goodjohn who was to move forward with this title fight, but after sustaining a hand injury in his fight with Navarro it would force the former boxing champion to sit out, while Marc received the opportunity.

Navarro eyes a rematch with Goodjohn should he leave BKB 16 the British champion.

Daniel Lerwell (2-0) vs. CJ Mills (2-0) and Mark Godbeer (BKB debut) vs. Mickey Parker (4-1) will also be for British championship titles.

If you thought that wasn’t enough, BKB 16 will also host the Prize Fighter semi-finals, where Ricardo Franco meets Connor Tierney, and ‘Smudger’ Smith takes on James Connelly. The winner of the finals at the June 8 show will be crowned the tournament champion, receiving the Jack Broughton trophy and the prize money.

BKB 16 Finalized Fight Card Order

Preliminaries:

Martin Orsuliak vs. Rob Boardman

Will Chope vs. Barrie Jones

Eric Olsen vs. Greg Mayne

Paul Stredder vs. Scott McHugh

Jack Draper vs. Mason Shaw

Mark Godbeer vs. Mickey Parker – British Title

Pay-Per-View Card, Prize Fighter Semi-Finals:

Ricardo Franco vs. Connor Tierney

‘Smudger’ Smith vs. James Connelly

Daniel Lerwell vs. CJ Mills – British Title

Marc Navarro vs. Sean George – British Title

Brad Pickett vs. Mark Handley – British Title

Looking back on BKB 15, Tyler Goodjohn vs. Marc Navarro

The post Brad Pickett vs. Mark Handley Will Headline BKB 16, Featuring Four Title Fights and Prize Fighter Semi-Finals appeared first on Cageside Press.

Editor’s Note: Adam LeBarr is a Staff Writer for BKB.

Brad Pickett, better known to some as ‘One Punch’ is set to make his bare-knuckle boxing debut late next month at BKB 16 in the O2 Arena, rather close to home for the former UFC and WEC competitor. His debut will mark the end of a two-year retirement, at least when talking about competing, as he still remains retired from MMA.

Pickett had his first professional MMA bout in November of 2004, later helping pave the way for the lighter weight-classes, ultimately bringing them to the grandest stage of mixed martial arts, the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He would make his first appearance for the promotion in November 2011, where he would suffer a loss in a thrilling fight against former Bantamweight champion, Renan Barao.

Now moved on from mixed martial arts, at least for now (you never know), ‘One Punch’ recounts his favorite moment of his MMA career, taking us down memory lane.

Cageside Press spoke with Brad Pickett while in training for his up-and-coming BKB bout, and his personal, close-to-home favorite moment comes as no surprise.

“Knocking out Yves [Jabouin] in Nottingham, England, with an uppercut. He was a dangerous striker, and also with a nickname like ‘One Punch’ it’s nice to live up to it once in a while,” he laughed.

At UFC on Fuel TV: Struve vs. Miocic in September of 2012, Pickett would score a first-round knockout of Jabouin, bringing his record at the time to 2-1 under the UFC banner.

Simply put, Pickett says his first emotion was pure happiness, saying, “[It] was great to fight in front of all my family and friends.”

During his 13-year career, competing for Cage Rage, WEC, UFC, etc. Pickett has many, many fantastic moments. With over 17 combined finishes, 25 total victories, Brad will now look to find success in the born-again sport that is bare-knuckle boxing. He will make his debut against Mark Handley, who is currently 2-0-1 in BKB.

What was your favorite moment of Brad Pickett’s MMA career? Leave a comment below.

The post Ahead of BKB Debut, Brad Pickett Recounts Favorite Moment of MMA Career appeared first on Cageside Press.