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When Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship returned to Rome for BKFC 83, the atmosphere inside Palazzo della Sport was electric. The event had everything: knockouts, chaos, and Conor McGregor sitting cageside, cheering like a proud co-owner. But one unexpected face in the crowd made the night even more historic. U.S. Ambassador to Italy, Tilman Fertitta, a man who once helped Dana White steer the UFC through the chaos of the global pandemic, was in attendance. BKFC has come a long way since its gritty beginnings in 2018. Under founder David Feldman and McGregor’s ownership, it’s transformed into a $400 million global spectacle, and their latest outing in Rome felt like its coronation. The Italian crowd roared for local stars like Alessio Sakara, while the fights delivered the raw intensity fans crave. But as Feldman revealed later, one person’s reaction stood out above all others: Fertitta’s. Speaking to The Schmo in a video on his YouTube channel, Feldman couldn’t hide his excitement as he reflected on the event’s success. “Absolutely,” he said when asked if BKFC would make Italy a regular stop. “At least a minimum of two shows a year here. The fans love it, the fighters come to fight. You saw some of the toughest fighters we’ve ever seen in BKFC compete tonight. Rome really welcomed us with open arms.” ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad But then Feldman dropped the real stunner as he further revealed, “Then we had Tilman Fertitta in there. He’s a US Ambassador to Italy right here in Rome. So we got so many great things that happened tonight. Super, super excited. He said I helped Dana White bring the UFC back during Covid, and he said there’s nothing like I’ve seen tonight. He said it was the most exciting thing he ever saw.” That’s a powerful endorsement from a man who knows what it takes to make combat sports thrive. Fertitta, who became Ambassador to Italy in May 2025, is more than just a diplomat; he’s a billionaire businessman, NBA team owner, and, perhaps most importantly, a long-time ally of the UFC. A cousin of former UFC owners Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta, he was instrumental in the UFC’s survival during the pandemic years, reportedly working behind the scenes to help Dana White. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad As such, Fertitta’s presence only adds legitimacy to BKFC’s growing empire. A man of his influence publicly praising the organization sends a message to the wider combat sports world: bare-knuckle isn’t just spectacle anymore; it’s mainstream entertainment. And Conor McGregor, the UFC’s biggest star turned entrepreneur, seems to be right at the center of that shift. Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports Conor McGregor shuts down competition with Dana White with an honest confession For Conor McGregor, stepping into the world of promotion isn’t about imitation; it’s about evolution. As the co-owner of BKFC, he’s brought the same swagger and showmanship that defined his fighting career into the boardroom. And yet recently, when asked whether he’s already surpassed Dana White as a promoter, ‘The Notorious’ had a rare moment of humility. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad During Uncrowned Film’s new documentary ‘What Is BKFC?’, McGregor was seen ringside at BKFC 82 with Ariel Helwani. When asked whether he’s a “better promoter” than Dana White, McGregor laughed and confessed, “I do my thing. I am from the school of the Fertitta empire, you know? I was the protege of Mr. (Lorenzo) Fertitta and Mr. White. The lads done me great!” Since suffering his devastating leg injury against Dustin Poirier in 2021, McGregor hasn’t thrown a punch in the UFC. Yet, his presence in combat sports has only grown louder. His co-ownership of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship has turned him from a headline act to a headline maker. With him and Feldman at the helm, BKFC has become what many thought impossible: a legitimate global competitor in the fight game.
