BKFC will bring bare-knuckle fighting to Japan through a new partnership with RIZIN starting in July.
BKFC founder and president David Feldman announced the news on Wednesday. MMA Hour After recently meeting with RIZIN leader Nobuyuki Sakakibara to discuss collaboration, a partnership was formed that will see BKFC expand into Japan and give RIZIN fighters the opportunity to hang up the gloves and fight barehanded.
“Today we are announcing our official partnership with BKFC and RIZIN to produce Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship shows in Japan and the Southeast Asian region, as well as provide any support RIZIN may require around the world,” said Feldman.
“We are really excited about this partnership and to be associated with such a legendary figure as Sakakibara.”
Feldman confirmed that the plan would begin with inviting Rizin fighters to compete in bare-knuckle boxing matches at BKFC, with the first appearance scheduled for July 12 at the Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, California.
From there, BKFC has two headline bouts on the RIZIN card scheduled for July 12, including Ty Emery versus Charisa Sigala and a bare-knuckle bout between current BKFC flyweight champion John Dodson and an unannounced RIZIN opponent.
Dodson actually already has a contract with RIZIN and has competed for the organization several times, but this time he will be fighting barehanded in Japan.
Sakakibara, who was best known as the founder of PRIDE FC before founding Rizin in 2015, hailed the opportunity to work with Feldman and bring a new sport like bare-knuckle combat to Japan.
“I really see the potential in BKFC,” Sakakibara said. “I think in the martial arts industry around the world, everything is at a standstill and the fans are all looking for new moves. They're looking for new action, and that's exactly what's happening in Japan. Of course in the U.S. they have things like power slaps and that's starting to gain popularity, but the same in Japan, a lot of people are looking for something new. They want more excitement.”
“We believe BKFC has everything it takes to bring new excitement to the region. Japanese fans love it and we believe David and his team are very professional and know what they're doing. Partnering with them was a natural fit for us.”
In addition to co-promoting two BKFC bouts at RIZIN, Feldman said he plans to eventually bring all of his fights to Japan. Currently, BKFC is aiming to hold Japan's first full-scale bare-knuckle fight card in late 2024, possibly early 2025.
In the meantime, BKFC plans to continue exchanging talent with RIZIN under the co-promotion banner, with all possibilities open to both organizations under the new partnership.
