Before the end of 2024, UFC star Conor McGregor and his part-owned MMA podium Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship will make a splash. A $25 million tournament open to martial artists from any organisation in the world. The scheme in place will be announced by BKFC President David Feldman.
Boasting that ‘Mac’ Money, BKFC has been making strides. David Feldman even wants to expand globally to newer segments. Now, as a guest on Sirius XM’s Fight Nation with Alan Jouban and Din Thomas on Tuesday, Feldman teased the event. It is to be one of BKFC’s first multi-org foray.
I’m about three weeks out [December 10] from announcing this, but I’m gonna announce the biggest tournament in combat sports history, with the largest prize that’s ever been on a tournament in combat sports history…Just to give you a little hint; it’s going to be a 25 million dollar prize and we’re in the search for someone really special.
David Feldman said (🎥: @MMAonSiriusXMw/@AlanJouban &@DinThomas)
McGregor Sports & Entertainment and Triller TV officially became part-owners of BKFC during the recent past. Ever since, Conor McGregor has been enjoying his equity MMA promoter role. The former dual-weight UFC champ pushed the Spain debut on social media. He was even in attendance at BKFC on DAZN: Spain weigh-ins. Recently, he even absorbed in some bare-knuckle action at BKFC 68 from inside the Utilita Arena in Newcastle.
🤯 BKFC president and founder David Feldman says they will be hosting an 8 man tournament with a $25 MILLION DOLLAR PRIZE in 2025 @MMAonSiriusXM pic.twitter.com/2pws4dttHH
— FULL SEND MMA (@full_send_mma) November 19, 2024
It’s doubtful that the UFC will give any fighter under contract an option to fight. That’s the rule. Conor McGregor’s foray into boxing against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2017 was the only exception. Interestingly though, McGregor’s consistent promotional prowess and the prize will be significant exposure. The head honcho iterated more such details.
David Feldman gives more details on the tournament
This is a significant step, especially as BKFC are UFC’s rivals in this game. The only other competition is PFL’s tournament brackets, so far. The exposure and prize money could act as a significant motivator. But an active Conor McGregor would give it even more legitimacy than just an MMA promoter. After attending recent cards in Marbella and Newcastle, ‘The Notorious’ has teased free agency management and trying out BKFC bravado.
BKFC’s David Feldman gives more details (Source: Instagram)However, this tournament will be a bare-knuckle boxing affair and the prize money is sure to be a big draw. It could attract fighters from boxing, Karate Combat, Muay Thai, RIZIN, the Professional Fighters League, and so on. David Feldman said the would hold initial tryouts for the field – open to anyone.
Feldman and co. will first whittle the field down to 24, then eliminate eight more players to bring it down to 16. They will make up the field for the $25 million tournament.
So what we’re going to do is – I can’t say too much about …I think we’re going to grab like a thousand people and we’re gonna narrow it down to 24…Then we’re going to get rid of 16 and we’re gonna have eight…Now everybody else is going to get paid along the way, but they’re gonna fight for the real prize
David Feldman further said
McGregor could be a big part in drawing eyeballs to the open workouts. Eddie Alvarez, who lost his lightweight belt to McGregor in November 2016, will headline the main event of Knucklemania V on January 25. His media availability meet-up against the Irihsman will more than enough. He fights yet another “McGregor” guy, Jeremy Stephens.
The event will take place at the Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia and broadcast live on DAZN. Promotional media expansion for BKFC Triller TV also remains an option for the upcoming tournament. YouTube is one option, but BKFC has a deal with DAZN Pay-per-view (PPV) in September.
