Section 1: Introduction
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) is the largest and most established state-sanctioned bare-knuckle boxing promotion in the world. Founded in 2018 by David Feldman, BKFC held its first event in Wyoming under a state-sanctioned regulatory framework — the first legal bare-knuckle promotion in the U.S. since the 19th century. BKFC is now sanctioned in 30+ U.S. states plus internationally. The promotion's "BKFC Unified Rules" combine wrapped-wrist (no glove) striking with boxing-style scoring and a distinctive starting position called the "Toe-the-Line". BKFC has grown rapidly as a PPV combat-sports property, attracting fighters from MMA, boxing, and other combat backgrounds.
Section 2: Equipment
- No gloves — hands wrapped from approximately 1 inch above the wrist to mid-knuckle with gauze + tape (no padding over knuckles)
- Hand wrap inspection: commission-certified inspection pre-fight
- Mouthguard: mandatory
- Groin protector: mandatory (men); chest protector for women
- Footwear: shoes prohibited; competitors fight barefoot
- Trunks: standard boxing-style trunks; women: combat-sports approved tops
Section 3: Playing Area
- BKFC Ring (octagonal "Squared Circle"): circular fighting area with 4 sides, smaller than boxing ring (~22 ft diameter)
- Two parallel lines drawn at center of the ring marking the "Toe-the-Line" starting position
- Padded ring floor; turnbuckle padding on corner posts
Section 4: Players & Officials
- Two competitors per match
- Weight classes (Men, lb): Strawweight (-115), Flyweight (-125), Bantamweight (-135), Featherweight (-145), Lightweight (-155), Welterweight (-165), Middleweight (-175), Light Heavyweight (-185), Cruiserweight (-205), Heavyweight (+205)
- Weight classes (Women): Atomweight, Strawweight, Flyweight, Bantamweight, Featherweight
- Officials: 1 ring referee + 3 judges + ringside physician + commission inspector
Section 5: Rules of Play
Match Length
- 5 rounds × 2 minutes (60-second rest between rounds)
- Championship fights: 5 rounds (unchanged) or 7 rounds for some title contests
Toe-the-Line Start
- Each round begins with competitors at center, toes on parallel marked lines, hands at shoulder level — referee calls "Knuckle Up"
- This distinctive start eliminates running/circling for the first contact of each round
Permitted Strikes
- Punches with closed fist (any portion of hand, given no glove)
- Elbows: not permitted in BKFC (distinct from full MMA-style bare-knuckle alternatives)
- No kicks, knees, head-butts, takedowns
- Clinch permitted but referee separates if no productive action within ~5 seconds
Knockdowns + Knockouts
- Standard 10-count from referee for knockdowns
- 3-knockdown rule per round: 3 knockdowns in one round = TKO
- KO = total victory; TKO via referee/doctor stoppage = total victory
Section 6: Scoring
- 10-Point Must scoring system (standard boxing-style)
- 3 judges score independently per round
- Draw decisions possible; majority/unanimous/split decision outcomes
- Titles: BKFC champion + interim champion per weight class
- BKFC Knucklemania PPV events feature title fights
Section 7: Violations & Penalties
- Illegal strikes (elbows, kicks, head-butts, back-of-head, throat, spine, eye-poke): point deduction → DQ
- Hitting after the bell: point deduction
- Holding-and-hitting: referee warning → point deduction
- Excessive grappling: ref break-up; no points; eventually warning
- Unsportsmanlike conduct / corner-man interference: point deduction → DQ
- Anti-doping: state athletic commission requirements (VADA collaboration at many events); WADA-aligned testing for championship fights
Section 8: Safety Considerations
Bare-knuckle striking produces more facial cuts and lacerations than gloved boxing but reportedly fewer concussions (because punches require pulling slightly to protect the puncher's hand). BKFC mandates: comprehensive pre-fight medical (neurological, cardiac, ophthalmological, blood work, MRI for major bouts), ringside physician with cut/concussion authority to stop fights, on-site EMT + ambulance, AED in arena. Post-fight medical assessment is mandatory. Knockouts trigger automatic medical suspension (minimum 30-day rest, longer for severe KOs, with neurological clearance required). State athletic commission oversight at every BKFC event in the U.S. Concussion protocol: VADA + commission medical monitoring; SCAT-5 in some jurisdictions. Cut-stoppage authority lies with the ringside physician.
