Latest news with #BKFC79
The Age
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Age
Regulator knocks back Perth bare-knuckle boxing bout
Western Australia's Combat Sports Commission board has knocked back an application from the Bare Knuckle Boxing Championship to stage a bout at RAC Arena next month. In a release after the governing body, including commissioner Bob Kucera, met on Thursday to discuss the approval, a spokesperson said: 'After careful consideration, the board was not satisfied the event met the required criteria.' Sport Minister Rita Saffioti had been under increasing pressure from the opposition and groups including the Australian Medical Association to use her veto powers as minister to stop the event, which was slated to he held at RAC Arena on July 19. However, the government continued to back the event, with Saffioti on Thursday likening it to the UFC. 'This has been one where, of course, you consider all options, but I can't differentiate between this and UFC,' she said. 'For me to say no to this and then support UFC, I think people would rightly say that that was an inconsistent thinking.' Labor lifted the ban on cage fighting after coming to power in 2017, which paved the way for the UFC to host two championship events at RAC Arena, with a further two events planned in 2025 and 2026. Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship is co-owned by former UFC champion Conor McGregor, who is currently appealing an Irish court civil jury verdict in November that he had raped a woman in Dublin in 2018. The main event of the Perth fight, dubbed BKFC 79, was to be BKFC heavyweight world champion 'Big' Ben Rothwell taking on Australian powerlifting champion Alex 'Godly Strong' Simon in a super heavyweight non-title fight.
Sydney Morning Herald
5 days ago
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Regulator knocks back Perth bare-knuckle boxing bout
Western Australia's Combat Sports Commission board has knocked back an application from the Bare Knuckle Boxing Championship to stage a bout at RAC Arena next month. In a release after the governing body, including commissioner Bob Kucera, met on Thursday to discuss the approval, a spokesperson said: 'After careful consideration, the board was not satisfied the event met the required criteria.' Sport Minister Rita Saffioti had been under increasing pressure from the opposition and groups including the Australian Medical Association to use her veto powers as minister to stop the event, which was slated to he held at RAC Arena on July 19. However, the government continued to back the event, with Saffioti on Thursday likening it to the UFC. 'This has been one where, of course, you consider all options, but I can't differentiate between this and UFC,' she said. 'For me to say no to this and then support UFC, I think people would rightly say that that was an inconsistent thinking.' Labor lifted the ban on cage fighting after coming to power in 2017, which paved the way for the UFC to host two championship events at RAC Arena, with a further two events planned in 2025 and 2026. Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship is co-owned by former UFC champion Conor McGregor, who is currently appealing an Irish court civil jury verdict in November that he had raped a woman in Dublin in 2018. The main event of the Perth fight, dubbed BKFC 79, was to be BKFC heavyweight world champion 'Big' Ben Rothwell taking on Australian powerlifting champion Alex 'Godly Strong' Simon in a super heavyweight non-title fight.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Ben Rothwell to headline BKFC 79, promotion's first event in Australia
Ben Rothwell to headline BKFC 79, promotion's first event in Australia BKFC is bringing bareknuckle boxing to Australia for an event headlined by a current heavyweight champion and UFC veteran, Ben Rothwell. On Saturday, July 19, BKFC 79 will take place at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. It will be the promotion's first event on the continent. The promotion offically announced the event Tuesday. "Australia has long been on our radar," BKFC president David Feldman said in a press release. "The energy, the fans, and the venue are all perfect for showcasing BKFC. This isn't just a fight night – it's the beginning of a new era of combat sports in Australia." Rothwell (4-0 BKFC) currently holds the BKFC heavyweight crown, but the title will not be on the line in a main event super heavyweight bout against Australian powerlifting champion Alex Simon (0-0 BKFC). Following his exit from the UFC, Rothwell has ripped through four opponents under the BKFC banner, winning each by stoppage. In his last outing at BKFC: KnuckleMania 5, Rothwell knocked out Mick Terrill to become champion. Simon will make his BKFC debut on home soil. "Godly Strong" has dabbled in traditional boxing and MMA, building a record of 1-2 and 1-1, respectively. Also on the card will be UFC veteran Bec Rawlings (4-3 BKFC), who takes on Jade Masson-Wong (3-2). Another heavyweight from Australia, Haze Hepi (1-0 BKFC) will also compete at the event against an opponet to be named.
