Latest news with #BareKnuckleFightingChampionship
West Australian
3 hours ago
- Politics
- West Australian
Premier Roger Cook issues fresh defence against Government's handling of proposed bare-knuckle fight in Perth
Premier Roger Cook has issued a fresh defence of his government's handling of a proposed bare-knuckle fight in Perth next month, saying it was better to have a controlled event, rather than it going underground. Mr Cook said he 'appreciated community concern' about the championship event — a spin-off of the UFC — earmarked for RAC Arena in July. But he said there was a greater risk if bare-knuckle fighting occurred in an unregulated environment. 'I appreciate community concern around bare-knuckle boxing and understand that combat sports are not for everyone, myself included,' Mr Cook said. 'While we understand there is risk to be balanced with any sports, there is an anticipated greater risk in serious harm to people who participate if it's not conducted in a controlled, permitted and regulated environment. 'Let me be clear: This is not an event the WA Government is sponsoring financially.' WA's boxing regulations were amended by former Sport Minister David Templeman in February to recognise the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship as a sanctioning body. The Combat Sports Commission has said additional conditions would be put in place — if the fight went ahead. But the Australian Medical Association WA says the event should not proceed — and if it did, it would send the wrong message to the community in the face of domestic violence and other vicious crimes committed in the community. 'The fact that the State Government has paved the way for this activity to occur in Western Australia is baffling,' AMA WA boss Dr Michael Page said. 'We are dismayed. 'What was the rationale? Did they consider this in light of family and domestic violence?' Mr Cook says Sports Minister Rita Saffioti has taken fresh advice on the proposed event from the Combat Sports Commission, which was made up of experts in the field. 'It advised bare-knuckle boxing is another emerging discipline, alongside kickboxing and Mixed Martial Arts, that has started to grow here in Australia, since its following in the US and the UK,' Mr Cook said. 'The advice from the Combat Sports Commission is that it requires stringent rules and regulations so it isn't driven underground. 'With the Commission regulating this sport and events associated with it, it means there are strict rules applied and carried through such as having multiple ringside medical practitioners and a threshold to the minimum experience for participants.'
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Conor McGregor called out for bare knuckle fight by UFC star
Former UFC welterweight standout Mike Perry has challenged Conor McGregor to a bare-knuckle fight. McGregor hasn't competed since suffering a devastating first-round loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021, though recent training footage hints at a potential return. The Dubliner was set to face Michael Chandler last year but pulled out after sustaining a training injury. Meanwhile, Perry has carved out a dominant presence in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) — a promotion partially owned by McGregor — following his UFC departure four years ago. Since making his bare-knuckle debut in 2022, the 33-year-old American has remained unbeaten, notching five impressive victories and establishing himself as a force in the sport. His last bout was in professional boxing, where he lost to YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. He's yet to make a BKFC comeback after being jokimgly fired by McGregor. The 'Notorious' has often hinted at a BKFC fight, and Perry is more than ready to welcome the former dual-weight UFC champion into the ring. Keen to get back into action, 'Platinum' has challenged McGregor to get off his "a**." Speaking on the Pound 4 Pound Podcast with UFC legends Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo, he said: "Bare-knuckle is really fun and exciting, I'm 5-0 and I got a lot of credit over there, I'm the king of violence over there. "Conor's over there messing about. Get back in the ring and let's do something, Platinum Tequila vs Proper 12. Your whiskey dropped you, I'll drop you. Yeah (I would like to fight McGregor in BKFC), I would like to fight Jake (Paul) in bare-knuckle but he wouldn't do it, so we created Dirty Boxing." Back in March, McGregor hinted that he may be done with the UFC after stating that he was happy with everything he had accomplished inside the cage. 'I've got two fights on the contract, I'm in negotiations," he said at a BKFC event. "Last week something happened to me, I went to the White House and my heart bleeds for my country right now. So there's a lot of stuff going on back home, I'm happy with what I've done. There's something else for me that's in my gut right now and that's kind of where I'm going.'' That said, just moments later, when asked if he could fight and be president at the same time, the Irishman gave a quick response, replying: 'F*****g right I will, of course, are you crazy? That's part of why I want to do it! To be announced as the President of Ireland while having a fight? Imagine that. But for sure, hell yeah, hell yes.'
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Morally repugnant': Opposition spars with Labor in bare-knuckle boxing push
A row over a push for a bare-knuckle boxing event in WA ended in a full-blown shouting match during Question Time on Thursday as the opposition urged the government to step in and stop what it called a 'morally reprehensible' sport. The Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, partially owned by former Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter Conor McGregor, has announced plans to bring a boxing event to RAC Arena on July 19, with the Combat Sports Commission confirming it had received a request. The WA government has distanced itself from the planned event but former sports minister David Templeman opened the door to it in February, amending regulations to recognise BKFC as a sanctioning body. According to BKFC rules fighters may only punch each other with unimpeded knuckles throughout five two-minute rounds. The opposition ramped up attacks on Thursday with shadow sports minister Peter Rundle asking whether Premier Roger Cook would 'show some leadership to prevent this morally repugnant event.' Loading Cook said it was 'not his cup of tea' but that the state was not providing any financial assistance to BKFC and that he trusted the Combat Sports Commission to provide advice on how the event could run safely. 'I can appreciate that, to the layperson, this sounds like people just getting in a ring and having a go. It is not,' he said. 'It is not my cup of tea, but the Combat Sports Commission has provided preliminary advice that anything of this nature requires at least two medical practitioners and requires the participants to be experienced and knowledgeable of the particular discipline.'
The Age
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Age
‘Morally repugnant': Opposition spars with Labor in bare-knuckle boxing push
A row over a push for a bare-knuckle boxing event in WA ended in a full-blown shouting match during Question Time on Thursday as the opposition urged the government to step in and stop what it called a 'morally reprehensible' sport. The Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, partially owned by former Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter Conor McGregor, has announced plans to bring a boxing event to RAC Arena on July 19, with the Combat Sports Commission confirming it had received a request. The WA government has distanced itself from the planned event but former sports minister David Templeman opened the door to it in February, amending regulations to recognise BKFC as a sanctioning body. According to BKFC rules fighters may only punch each other with unimpeded knuckles throughout five two-minute rounds. The opposition ramped up attacks on Thursday with shadow sports minister Peter Rundle asking whether Premier Roger Cook would 'show some leadership to prevent this morally repugnant event.' Loading Cook said it was 'not his cup of tea' but that the state was not providing any financial assistance to BKFC and that he trusted the Combat Sports Commission to provide advice on how the event could run safely. 'I can appreciate that, to the layperson, this sounds like people just getting in a ring and having a go. It is not,' he said. 'It is not my cup of tea, but the Combat Sports Commission has provided preliminary advice that anything of this nature requires at least two medical practitioners and requires the participants to be experienced and knowledgeable of the particular discipline.'
The Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
1win Delivers Major Fan Moment with McLaren Giveaway at BKFC Dubai
NEW DELHI, INDIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 29 May 2025 - 1win, the official Giveaway Partner of the 71 and 72 Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), turned spectacular octagon fights into an unforgettable experience for a fan from India. The winner of the 1winSport raffle went back home with the keys to a brand-new McLaren. As a partner of one of the most high-profile championships and a brand that caters to its audiences, 1win chose to raffle off a luxury supercar among BKFC guests. It was a gesture of deep respect for the sport's fanbase, many of whom had arrived from Asia and the Middle East to see the show. The shining McLaren from 1win stood proudly at the BKFC venue, setting an exquisite tone for the night. Participation in the McLaren raffle by 1win was simple. To qualify for the giveaway, BKFC guests only had to scan a QR code and fill out a form, complying with the terms and conditions. The draw was streamed live on the 1winSport YouTube channel, attracting nearly 500 entries. The eventual winner, a man originally from India, could hardly believe his luck as he had come to enjoy the fights: 'Winning this McLaren from 1win proves that anything is possible. With 1win, my dreams have come true. My family and I are filled with gratitude and joy. Thank you so much, 1win!' His reactions reflect the very spirit of the campaign—more than a giveaway but a moment of real impact, made possible by 1win's thoughtful approach to connecting with fans. After the fights, the celebrations continued with a bonus surprise for its loyal followers: 1win gave away a T-shirt signed exclusively by MMA legend Conor McGregor. 1win's presence at BKFC 71 and 72 reflects a deep and growing bond with the world of combat sports. In line with this commitment, 1win recently welcomed Canelo Álvarez, the undisputed super middleweight world champion, as its Global Brand Ambassador. This partnership reflects 1win's respect for discipline, resilience, and excellence—values shared by martial arts communities across the globe.
