The Conor McGregor-co-owned Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) is back in the spotlight, returning to its England circuit on September 27, and all eyes are on its explosive New Jersey debut. BKFC 82: Perry vs. Stephens will shake up the Prudential Center in Newark, the UFC’s go-to arena, and McGregor’s influence is already fueling massive buzz. Even though the promotion is relatively new, BKFC is proving it can compete at the highest level thanks to its star-studded co-owner.
Conor McGregor officially joined BKFC as a co-owner on April 27, 2024, during KnuckleMania 4 in Los Angeles through the Irishman Sports and Entertainment, while Triller retained majority control. However, his involvement actually began earlier, when he faced off with Mike Perry at a Denver BKFC event – an impromptu moment that instantly put him on the promotion’s map. Looking ahead, the Newark card promises high stakes.
‘King of Violence’ Mike Perry headlines BKFC 82 against UFC veteran Jeremy Stephens, while former UFC champion Frankie Edgar debuts in BKFC against Jimmie Rivera in the co-main. The undercard features stacked bouts, delivering nonstop action from top to bottom. To further hype the event, Conor McGregor fired up fans on Instagram, sending a pointed message to competitors and the UFC alike: “17,000-seater arena for BKFC.”
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The Prudential Center, aka ‘The Rock,’ has hosted big fight nights for years, including NHL games for the New Jersey Devils, Seton Hall basketball, and UFC events since 2007. With that in mind, its capacity of up to 19,500 for concerts and 16,514 for hockey provides the perfect stage for BKFC to make its statement.
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Excitement builds as Conor McGregor brings BKFC to the UFC’s backyard
Since Conor McGregor came on board, BKFC has been swinging for global reach. The promotion has already planted its flag in Spain and Italy, with more destinations lined up. Just last month, the bare-knuckle show touched down in Budva, Montenegro, at the open-air Top Hill venue. ‘the Notorious’ was cageside for BKFC Fight Night: Bakocevic vs. Ott, pushing his promotion deeper into the Balkans — a region famous for its rugged mountains, medieval villages, and Adriatic coastline.
But the beauty turned chaotic when a sudden storm crashed the party, drenching the 11-fight card and forcing delays. Still, fans stuck around and turned the night into a wild memory, proving BKFC’s growing pull even under the worst conditions. Now, all focus shifts to Newark. Buzz is pouring in for BKFC 82, with fans already sounding off online. One wrote, “lets go champ,” hyping Mike Perry in the main event. Another added, “I’m stoked to bring the violence!” Just a few months ago, the Prudential Center hosted UFC 316 in June, headlined by the highly anticipated bantamweight title rematch between champion Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley.
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Perry, of course, has become BKFC’s centerpiece. He joined in October 2021 after leaving the UFC and debuted at KnuckleMania 2, outpointing Julian Lane in a scrap that earned Fight of the Night. His ‘King of Violence’ moniker came after smashing Eddie Alvarez at BKFC 56 last December, scoring a TKO via corner stoppage. Not all fan chatter is about the fights, though. Earlier this year, someone asked, “Is OnlyFans still a sponsor?” — a nod to the streaming giant’s partnership with the promotion. But at the end of the day, one simple comment sums the mood up best: “Let’s go.”
That energy says it all. BKFC is no longer just a sideshow – it’s carving its own lane, and sooner or later, it looks poised to break into the mainstream combat sports conversation. The one lingering critique? The promotion still leans heavily on UFC veterans to draw the spotlight. The real question now is whether BKFC can produce its own breakout star like Conor McGregor.