Entain Venues Live (EV Live), the live sports content provider designed for commercial venues, has announced an exclusive partnership with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) in Australia and New Zealand.
Managing director of Entain Venues, Mark Sturdy shares what this partnership means for the future of combat sports and commercial venues.
“BKFC is not just another fighting organisation; it’s the next evolution of combat sports. For venues already showing combat sports, adding BKFC is a natural progression that will keep them ahead of the curve,” he said.
BKFC is the first promotion allowed to hold a legal, sanctioned, and regulated bare knuckle event in the United States since 1889. It’s backed by former professional boxer David Feldman and UFC superstar Conor McGregor.
Unlike other combat sports in the industry, BKFC fighters are not allowed to wrap their hands within one inch of the knuckle, meaning no wraps, tapes or gauze. Hosted in a traditional square ring to encourage fast paced bouts, BKFC follows the Broughton Rules which were established in the 19th century. It requires competitors to start every round ‘toe to line’ and face to face.
This latest partnership is an addition to EV Live’s existing portfolio of premier combat sports, which includes the inaugural partnership with DAZN global boxing and Dana White’s Power Slap.
The partnership kicks off with Knucklemania V, screening live on Sunday 26 January at 12:00 AEDT, with a main event that features world lightweight UFC and Bellator champion Eddie Alvarez, facing off against MMA veteran Jeremy Stephens.
EV Live is currently offering venues an early adopter’s discount for BKFC events.