Latest news with #bareknuckleboxing
The Independent
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Conor Benn calls out UFC pound-for-pound star Ilia Topuria for bare-knuckle fight
Conor Benn has called out one of the most feared fighters in the UFC for a bare-knuckle boxing match. In a video posted by TNT Sports, Benn took aim at UFC fighters who think they can cross over to boxing and be successful, calling out a pound-for-pound star and two-weight champion Ilia Topuria. Benn said: 'Any of these MMA lot want to come over to boxing, if you fancy somebody, you can come get it… nasty. I'll fight anybody – bareknuckle – that wants to come over from the UFC. Ilia, I've got these hands brother.' Topuria is one of the most dangerous fighters in the UFC today, holding a record of 17-0 with 15 of those victories inside the distance. He recently won the UFC lightweight title, knocking out Charles Oliveira to claim the vacant gold. That followed his decision to give up the featherweight belt, which he took with a vicious knockout of Alex Volkanovski, who is considered as one of the greatest 145lb fighters of all time. He also retained the featherweight title by knocking out Max Holloway, another featherweight great. Benn believes, even without gloves, his striking is more than enough to topple the UFC star, but quickly qualified his callout by saying that he would never get in the cage because he knows that he would get beaten, which is why he has a problem with UFC fighters showing 'disrespect' to boxers. Benn said: 'Listen, I ain't stupid enough to go in the cage. Do you know why? Because I would get my ass handed to me. But for them thinking they can come over and do that to us, it's a liberty. Don't disrespect us boxers.' Both men operate at similar weights, with Benn having had fights between 147lb and 160lb, and Topuria between 145lb and 155lb, so a crossover super-fight is not outside of the realms of possibility. But the 'Destroyer' is currently tied up in his rematch with Chris Eubank Jr on 15 November, back at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, after he suffered his first loss in a fight of the year contender in April. Watch Itauma vs Whyte live on DAZN You can watch Moses Itauma vs Dillian Whyte live on DAZN on August 16. More information is available here.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Yoel Romero gets date, opponent for BKFC debut
Yoel Romero has inked his bareknuckle boxing debut. The former UFC title challenger is set to make his first appearance for BKFC against Theo Doukas at BKFC 80 on Sept. 12 at Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, Fla. The bout will be contested at heavyweight. The news of Romero's debut was announced by the promotion on Tuesday. Romero, 48, signed with BKFC in July. He was coming off two KO finishes competing in Mike Perry's Dirty Boxing Championship – which is a striking competition with small gloves but doesn't involve any grappling or groundwork. "The Soldier of God" is mainly known for his 10-year run in the UFC where he fought for the middleweight title multiple times and cemented himself as one of the world's best. After his UFC departure, Romero had a short stint with Bellator and PFL, going 3-2. Although now competing in bareknuckle boxing, Romero told MMA Junkie last month that he's still looking to continue his MMA career. Romero's opponent, Doukas, will also be making his BKFC debut. Doukas has competed four times in MMA, going 2-2. His two victories have come by way of stoppage. He last competed in MMA in April 2024 and was submitted in the second round. He's also 1-0 in boxing. This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC veteran Yoel Romero gets date, opponent for BKFC debut
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Snoop Dogg shares footage of Cumbrian bare-knuckle boxing champion
West Cumbrian bare-knuckle boxing champion Agi Faulkner has caught the eye of rap icon Snoop Dogg. The Egremont fighter's brutal contest with Dawid Oskar last November earned Faulkner the BKFC European heavyweight title. And when footage of the ferocious contest reappeared on social media last week, legendary rapper Snoop Dogg was among those to share it - to his 88.6 million followers HERE. The footage showed Faulkner and Oskar trading powerful blows from the off in their title fight at Newcastle last November. Snoop Dogg shares footage of Agi Faulkner's title fight (Image: Instagram) Faulkner floored Oskar early on before his opponent fought back with some formidable punches of his own. The Cumbrian responded in a relentless contest which saw Oskar blood-streaked by the end of the first round, with Faulkner then sealing victory by knockout early in the second round. Snoop Dogg's sharing of the footage on Instagram attracted 201,000 likes and 3,219 comments as the rapper's followers were introduced to Faulkner's punching power. Faulkner won the BKFC European heavyweight title with a ferocious victory over Dawid Oskar last year (Image: BKFC) The 36-year-old from Egremont, who is unbeaten in his three BKFC fights, is now a major figure on the top bare-knuckle platform. He is preparing for his latest fight, which is expected to be in Italy, with details yet to be confirmed. Faulkner is expected to move to cruiserweight. Faulkner also recently flew to Hollywood to take part in a major press conference which saw the announcement, by BKFC bosses David Feldman and Conor McGregor, of a new $25m "World's Baddest Man" tournament which is due to begin in the USA next year. Faulkner spoke of his eagerness to be involved in the lucrative open-weight tournament. 'That's what we're in the game for, isn't it?' he said. 'That's what I'm here for now. Find out who the baddest man in the world is. 'Let's get me in this tournament. We'll soon find out.'
Daily Mail
26-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
How Anthony 'The Man' Mundine will bring 'purest form' of fighting to Australia with bare-knuckle boxing
Former world super-middleweight champion Anthony Mundine has urged the Australian public to embrace what he dubbed the 'purest form of fighting', bare-knuckle boxing. Mundine, 50, launched his venture this week ahead of the World Bare Knuckle Fighting card in Brisbane this September. 'I just want to put on the best shows, the best fights, and have the best entertainment and bring something different. There's something new. That's why I got involved,' he said. 'I'm a pioneer of a lot of things, and this is another thing that I'm pioneering. 'The fans are going to go crazy…it will sell out pretty fast. 'We are looking to bring an amazing show. An exciting, explosive show. And we can't wait.' Also speaking on Channel 9's Today with Karl Stefanovic, 'The Man' stated bare-knuckle boxing is the 'purest form of fighting' in his eyes - and actually safer than entering the ring with gloves on due to less head trauma. 'Look at the statistics,' he said. 'We will also have paramedics and doctors ringside.' Meanwhile, Mundine remains adamant his close friend Sonny Bill Williams won his recent bout against NRL legend Paul Gallen. Mundine, 50, launched the venture this week ahead of the World Bare Knuckle Fighting card in Brisbane this September (pictured, fighting Garth Wood in 2011) 'I thought he (Williams) outpointed him easily,' he said. 'And look at Gallen's face compared to Sonny's once the bout was over.' In May, Mundine attended his first official rugby league function in 25 years following his shock retirement in 2000 to boldly pursue a boxing career. Mundine burst onto the footy scene in the mid 1990s, signing with the Dragons at just 18 and making his first grade debut the following year. By the end of the decade he was a State of Origin representative with the NSW Blues, and his electrifying ability suggested he might go on to become one of the all-time greats. However, he walked away from the game in 2000 after growing disillusioned and bitter.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC veteran Yoel Romero explains decision to sign with BKFC, still plans on continuing MMA
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Yoel Romero is expanding his portfolio in the combat sports world. The former UFC title challenger and fan-favorite fighter will be taking his talent to bareknuckle boxing, as he's signed with leading promotion BKFC. It was a move that excited many fans given Romero's power, athleticism, and rawness. The move to BKFC was something had been brewing for several years, but just now did all the pieces come together. Advertisement "When I left the UFC, (BKFC) was always very interested," Romero told Hablemos MMA in Spanish. "In fact, that's when I came to know about them and we had a meeting with my manager, so there was a possibility there, but I wanted to continue fighting in MMA. So now that I leave Bellator, I was going to start with GFL, but now after what happened with GFL, we're looking for the best options to fight. Dave again reached out, along with Conor McGregor, who likes me, and said, 'Now is the time. Stop saying no, now is the time.'" A big selling point for Romero to sign with BKFC was the promotion willingness to allow him continuing his storied MMA career. Despite being signed with BKFC, Romero is able to fight in MMA and work with any promotion he wishes. "They did a great job because BKFC did a great job with my manager by giving me the opportunity, but also staying flexible. I can do BKFC, but also continue doing MMA," Romero said. "There are several organizations that are still interested in me fighting for them in MMA. But remember, everything has to be right with the purse. Everything has to be right with the purse. When you get to a certain level, the pay has to be right. You have legacy. You have name. So we're in agreement with BKFC: We're in. Now we're just negotiating the details of my debut in the ring." Advertisement Apart from his brutal performances, Romero has made a name for himself being an ageless wonder. The 2000 Olympic Silver medalist in wrestling turned 48 this past April and continues to deliver knockouts. As mentioned in the past to MMA Junkie, "The Soldier of God" plans to match Bernard Hopkins retirement age of 52 and then call it quits, so long his body holds up. "That's the first thing I always have in mind: Bernand Hopkins," Romero said. "I plan on retiring at 52, but retire well, without taking a beating. That's why I live a very clean life and stay disciplined, to have a long career." This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC veteran Yoel Romero explains decision to sign with BKFC
