Best photos: BKFC 41 press conference

Check out these photos from the BKFC 41 news conference featuring Luke Rockhold, Mike Perry, Eddie Alvarez, Chad Mendes, and more.

LAS VEGAS – Check out these photos from Tuesday’s BKFC 41 news conference in Las Vegas, that featured [autotag]Luke Rockhold[/autotag], [autotag]Mike Perry[/autotag], [autotag]Eddie Alvarez[/autotag], [autotag]Chad Mendes[/autotag], Ben Rothwell, and [autotag]Christine Ferea[/autotag].

The two fighters will square off in a 185-pound bout at BKFC 41, which takes place April 29 at 1STBANK Center in Denver. The main card will stream online on FITE TV with a $49.99 price point.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for BKFC 41.

BKFC 41 faceoff video: Eddie Alvarez, Chad Mendes size up respectfully

Watch what happened when Eddie Alvarez and Chad Mendes went face-to-face Tuesday in Las Vegas.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Eddie Alvarez[/autotag] and [autotag]Chad Mendes[/autotag] squared off for the first time Tuesday at a BKFC 41 pre-fight news conference at Palms Resort Casino and MMA Junkie was on site.

BKFC 41 takes place April 29 at 1STBANK Center in Denver. The main card will stream online on FITE TV with a $49.99 price point. Alvarez vs. Mendes will serve as the co-main event, with Luke Rockhold vs. Mike Perry as the main event.

Alvarez, 39, will make his bareknuckle debut in this bout. The bout will be his first combat sports competition since April 2021 and since his “amicable” departure from One Championship

Mendes, 37, is back for his second BKFC bout following his 2019 retirement from MMA. In February 2022, Mendes debuted in bareknuckle with a fourth-round TKO victory over Joshuah Alvarez at BKFC KnuckleMania 2.

Check out Alvarez and Mendes face off in the video above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for BKFC 41.

Video: Watch Tuesday’s BKFC 41 news conference live

Check out the BKFC 41 pre-fight news conference live from Las Vegas featuring Luke Rockhold, Mike Perry, Eddie Alvarez, and more.

LAS VEGAS – BKFC 41 is a little over three weeks away but the fighters with top billing will meet face-to-face Tuesday.

MMA Junkie is on site at Palms Casino Resort where a news conference takes place featuring former UFC fighters [autotag]Luke Rockhold[/autotag], [autotag]Mike Perry[/autotag], [autotag]Eddie Alvarez[/autotag], [autotag]Chad Mendes[/autotag], and [autotag]Ben Rothwell[/autotag], as well as BKFC women’s flyweight champion [autotag]Christine Ferea[/autotag] and BKFC president David Feldman.

Tuesday’s news conference kicks off at 3 p.m. ET with MMA legend [autotag]Chael Sonnen[/autotag] as host.

BKFC 41 takes place April 29 at 1STBANK Center in Denver. The main card will stream online on FITE TV with a $49.99 price point.

Watch a live stream of the event via the promotion’s feed above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for BKFC 41.

UFC veterans Eddie Alvarez, Chad Mendes to fight at BKFC 41

UFC mainstays of years’ past are set to collide as Eddie Alvarez faces Chad Mendes at BKFC 41.

Former UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Eddie Alvarez[/autotag] has a new home.

On Wednesday, BKFC president David Feldman announced Alvarez’s signing and bareknuckle debut fight on “The MMA Hour.” Alvarez will face former UFC featherweight title challenger [autotag]Chad Mendes[/autotag] in a 165-pound bout April 29 at BKFC 41, a card that also features former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold against Mike Perry.

Alvarez, 39, “amicably” split from ONE Championship last September and entered the free agent market. Alvarez went 1-1 with one no contest in three fights since his UFC departure in 2018.

Mendes, 37, made his BKFC debut at Knucklemania 2 in February, when he finished Josiah Alvarez by fourth-round TKO. The outing was his first professional competition (aside from grappling events) since his MMA retirement in 2019.

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The current lineup for BKFC 41 includes:

  • Luke Rockhold vs. Mike Perry
  • Eddie Alvarez vs. Chad Mendes
  • Christine Ferea vs. Bec Rawlings
  • Ben Rothwell vs. opponent TBA

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for BKFC 41.

UFC veteran Jimmie Rivera officially signs with BKFC, expected to debut on May 6

Former UFC bantamweight contender Jimmie Rivera will test his skills in bareknuckle competition.

Bare Knuckle FC has officially announced the signing of another former UFC fighter.

As previously reported, bantamweight competitor [autotag]Jimmie Rivera[/autotag] was expected to join the promotion following his exit from the UFC. On Monday, BKFC announced via press release that pen has been put to paper, and Rivera is now set to make his debut with the promotion at BKFC 25 on Friday, May 6. The event will take place in Orlando, Fla., and Rivera’s opponent will be announced in the coming days.

Rivera has been fighting in the UFC since 2015, where he fought 11 times against the best in the bantamweight division, in addition to one fight at featherweight. He now joins a number of former UFC fighters to make the switch to bareknuckle competition, including [autotag]Chad Mendes[/autotag], [autotag]Mike Perry[/autotag], [autotag]Paige VanZant[/autotag], [autotag]Rachel Ostovich[/autotag], [autotag]Chris Leben[/autotag], [autotag]Hector Lombard[/autotag], and more.

During his best stretch under the UFC banner, Rivera won five straight, picking up consecutive wins over Marcus Brimage, Pedro Munhoz, Iuri Alcantara, Urijah Faber, and Thomas Almeida. At UFC Fight Night 131, he competed in the lone main event of his run with the promotion against Marlon Moraes, which unfortunately did not go in his favor.

Rivera’s last victory with the promotion came on short notice in the featherweight division, where he outpointed Cody Stamann in a hard-fought 15-minute battle.

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David Feldman announces Triller’s majority stake acquisition of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship

Founder of the bareknuckle promotion announced Triller has acquired a majority of the company.

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship has a new majority stakeholder.

On Wednesday, the founder of the promotion,[autotag] David Feldman[/autotag], announced Triller, a social media company that has expanded into the promotion of boxing and other combat sports events, has acquired a majority stake of BKFC.

BKFC was founded in 2018, bringing sanctioned bareknuckle boxing events to the United States for the first time since the late 1800s. The popularity of the promotion has attracted many notable combat sports athletes who made their names in traditional boxing and mixed martial arts. A number of UFC veterans have tested their skills under the BKFC banner including [autotag]Mike Perry[/autotag], [autotag]Chad Mendes[/autotag], [autotag]Artem Lobov[/autotag], [autotag]Bec Rawlings[/autotag], [autotag]Paige VanZant[/autotag], [autotag]Rachael Ostovich[/autotag], and many others.

“We got to a point where we’re pretty well accepted among the combat sports community right now, and we needed to make a partnership that was going to take us to the next level,” Feldman said on The MMA Hour. “Create more opportunities, more resources, more funding, more things like that to acquire some more fighters, take care of the fighters that are already there, and just create more opportunities for everybody.”

Feldman stated the combat sport is currently legal in 14 states, with the goal of reaching 22 by the end of 2022. He continued to explain how the acquisition by Triller will not change how BKFC events are currently promoted, nor cause a change in broadcasting plans.

“Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship will remain as-is,” Feldman stated. “We will be self-sustained as far as operations continue, the fighters, everything. Nothing is really going to change in the operations of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, we’re now just going to have more assets, more resources, and more possibilities.”

Triller has hosted a number of boxing events and special rules combat sports events like Triad Combat since entering the fight game in 2020. The company promoted pay-per-view events featuring legends of boxing and MMA, creating matchups such as Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. and [autotag]Vitor Belfort[/autotag] vs. Evander Holyfield.

Triller’s first Triad Combat event, which pitted teams of MMA fighters against boxers with special rules inside a triangular boxing ring, was headlined by former UFC champion [autotag]Frank Mir[/autotag] against boxing’s Kubrat Pulev.

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BKFC KnuckleMania 2 results: Chad Mendes scores TKO stoppage of Joshua Alvarez in BKFC debut

Chad Mendes impressed in his BKFC debut, finishing Joshuah Alvarez by TKO at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – [autotag]Chad Mendes[/autotag] is back.

The former UFC title challenger was successful in his return to competition, as he picked up a fourth TKO victory over [autotag]Joshua Alvarez[/autotag] at Saturday’s BKFC: KnuckleMania 2 event. Mendes, who made his name during his impressive UFC run, retired from fighting in late 2018. This was his bare-knuckle boxing debut and his first fight back since retirement from MMA.

The fight started as a competitive contest. Both fighters had their moments and showcased plenty of skill. However, things quickly shifted towards Mendes’ corner, as he got knockdowns in the second and third rounds. Mendes was landing the better and cleaner shots for most of the fight.

In the fourth, Mendes poured it on Alvarez. He got three knockdowns and the referee was forced to wave off the fight after Mendes’ opponent hit the canvas one last time. It was largely a dominant showing by Mendes.

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Mendes last competed at UFC 232 back in late 2018. He was stopped by current UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski in the second round of their Fight of the Night bout. It was his last UFC fight before stepping away from the sport.

Mendes revealed to MMA Junkie earlier in the week that he still has three fights left with the UFC. He said he won’t rule out a return to the octagon, but “no chance” it’s under his current deal.

“Money” fought for the UFC from 2012 to 2018. He competed in two featherweight title fights – one in 2012 and the other in 2014 – both times coming up short against then-champion Jose Aldo. Mendes also fought for the interim UFC belt in 2015, losing to Conor McGregor in a second-round TKO.

Mendes hold many notable wins over opposition such as Cub Swanson, Clay Guida, Ricardo Lamas, Myles Jury, Rani Yahya, and more.

Up-to-the-minute results of BKFC: KnuckleMania 2 include:

  • Chad Mendes def. Joshuah Alvarez via TKO (punches) – Round 4, 1:34
  • Christine Ferea def. Britain Beltran via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) – for vacant flyweight title
  • Gustavo Trujillo def. Stephen Townsel via knockout – Round 1, 1:41
  • Christine Vicens def. Jade Masson-Wong via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) – Round 3, 0:49
  • Francesco Ricchi def. Jake Bostwich via unanimous decision (48-44, 48-44, 48-44)
  • Ulysses Diaz def. Sawyer Depee via knockout – Round 2, 1:00
  • Edgard Plazaola def. Chevvy Bridges via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 1:09
  • Yosdenis Cedeno def. Mario Vargas via unanimous decision (48-45, 49-44, 47-46)
  • Jomi Escoboza def. Zion Tomlinson via knockout – Round 4, 1:16

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BKFC KnuckleMania 2 live and official results (6:30 p.m. ET)

Join us for live and official results of BKFC Knucklemania 2, which features Mike Perry vs. Julian Lane and the debut of Chad Mendes.

BKFC Knucklemania 2 takes place Saturday, and you can join us for live and official results beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. PT).

The event takes place at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Fla. The main card airs live on the BKTV App at 8 p.m. ET following prelims at 6:30 p.m.

In the main event, Luis Palomino will defend his lightweight title against Martin Brown in the second of two title fights on the card. The event also features former UFC fighter [autotag]Mike Perry[/autotag] making his debut against “The Ultimate Fighter” contestant [autotag]Julian Lane[/autotag] in what promises to be a banger. The first BKFC women’s champion will be crowned as Britain Beltran takes on Christine Ferea on the main card. Also featured is the bare-knuckle debut of former UFC title challenger [autotag]Chad Mendes[/autotag] against Joshuah “Famez” Alvarez.

The lineup and official results for BKFC Knucklemania 2 are below:

  • Champion Luis Palomino vs. Martin Brown – for lightweight title
  • Mike Perry vs. Julian Lane
  • Joshuah Alvarez vs. Chad Mendes
  • Britain Beltran vs. Christine Ferea – for inaugural women’s flyweight title
  • Stephen Townsel vs. Gustavo Trujillo
  • Jade Masson-Wong vs. Christine Vicens
  • Jake Bostwich vs. Francesco Ricchi
  • Sawyer Depee vs. Ulysses Diaz
  • Chevvy Bridges vs. Edgard Plazaola
  • John Escoboza vs. Zion Tomlinson
  • Yosdenis Cedeno vs. Mario Vargas
  • Howard Davis vs. Dillard Pegg

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BKFC: KnuckleMania 2 faceoff highlights: Chad Mendes looks shredded ahead of return

Check out the video highlights from the BKFC: KnuckleMania 2 weigh-ins and faceoffs from Hollywood, Fla.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship is set to roll on Saturday after all fighters hit the scales for KnuckleMania 2.

After stepping on the scale, the fighters faced off with their opponent one final time before they step inside the ring on Saturday evening.

The event features two title fights and is headlined by [autotag]Luis Palomino[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Martin Brown[/autotag] for the lightweight championship. The co-main event will see UFC veteran [autotag]Mike Perry[/autotag] compete in bare-knuckle competition for the first time as he takes on TUF veteran [autotag]Julian Lane[/autotag]. Also, the first women’s BKFC champion will be crowned as [autotag]Britain Beltran[/autotag] faces [autotag]Christine Ferea[/autotag] for the inaugural flyweight title.

In addition, former UFC title challenger [autotag]Chad Mendes[/autotag] makes his long-awaited return to combat sports in his first bout since 2018, as he will face Joshuah “Famez” Alvarez on the main card.

The event takes place at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Fla. The main card airs live on the BKTV App at 8 p.m. ET following prelims at 6:30 p.m.

Check out the highlights in the video above.

The full lineup of BKFC: KnuckleMania 2 includes:

  • Champion Luis Palomino vs. Martin Brown – for lightweight title
  • Mike Perry vs. Julian Lane
  • Joshuah Alvarez vs. Chad Mendes
  • Britain Beltran vs. Christine Ferea – for inaugural women’s flyweight title
  • Stephen Townsel vs. Gustavo Trujillo
  • Jade Masson-Wong vs. Christine Vicens
  • Jake Bostwich vs. Francesco Ricchi
  • Sawyer Depee vs. Ulysses Diaz
  • Chevvy Bridges vs. Edgard Plazaola
  • John Escoboza vs. Zion Tomlinson
  • Yosdenis Cedeno vs. Mario Vargas
  • Howard Davis vs. Dillard Pegg

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Spinning Back Clique: On Sean Strickland’s career potential, Peña-Nunes as TUF coaches, more

Check out this week’s edition of “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly roundtable discussion show covering the biggest topics in MMA.

Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts.

This week, our panel of Nolan King, Danny Segura, and Matthew Wells discuss these five topics with host “Gorgeous” George Garcia:

  • [autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag] defeated Jack Hermansson by split decision this past Saturday night at UFC Fight Night 200 to notch his sixth consecutive win and get him closer to a title shot. His popularity has grown as he trudges the boundary lines of fight promotion pre-fight and discussion of his performance post-fight. What are your concerns, if any, with Strickland going forward?
  • The next season of “The Ultimate Fighter” drops in May, and the UFC officially named women’s bantamweight champion [autotag]Julianna Peña[/autotag] and [autotag]Amanda Nunes[/autotag] as coaches. They’ll oversee a crop of heavyweights and women’s flyweights. This rivalry is almost sure to heat up in this environment? So 1-10, how fired up are you? Did the UFC pick the right coaching matchup?
  • Former UFC featherweight title challenger [autotag]Chad Mendes[/autotag] is coming out of retirement to fight at “BKFC: Knucklemania II” later this month. He says he’ll make more to fight in bare knuckle than Francis Ngannou’s disclosed $600,000 purse for his latest title defense at UFC 270. Did that statement surprise you? Are promotions like BKFC and Eagle FC just as good of options as established players Bellator, PFL and ONE Championship for combat sports athletes?
  • [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] is of the opinion that the heavyweight GOAT, [autotag]Stipe Miocic[/autotag], and the light heavyweight GOAT, himself, should tangle for the UFC heavyweight interim title while undisputed champion Ngannou recovers from his knee surgery that’s expected to keep him out for nine months. Does this make sense for all parties and the UFC’s heavyweight division?
  • Turning the page to this weekend, [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] defends his middleweight title vs. [autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag] in a rematch at UFC 271. Going into it, does this feel any different than how you felt about the first fight? Does history repeat itself, or should we buckle up for a Part 3 down the road?

“Spinning Back Clique” is released each Tuesday on MMA Junkie’s YouTube channel. You can watch the full episode in the video above.

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