Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) and the newly formed Bare Knuckle Fight League (BKFL) are expanding into India, a move poised to tap into one of the world’s largest markets for combat sports.
A New League Structure
This expansion is being led by World League of Fighters (WLF), the license holder for BKFC. A key element of this venture is the introduction of a team-based league format, a first in the history of bare-knuckle fighting. Six inaugural teams – Crushers, Punishers, Warriors, Phantoms, Gladiators, and Infernos – will compete in a franchise-based structure.
Rahul Saxena has been appointed CEO to oversee the platform, bringing experience in scaling global brands. The organization has also added prominent figures to its board, including film producer Parag Sanghvi and Bollywood star and martial artist Tiger Shroff, joining BKFC founder and president David Feldman and part-owner Conor McGregor, who invested in BKFC in 2024.
Strategic Expansion and Global Ambitions
Leaders of the venture emphasize the significance of the Indian market. Rajesh Banga, Sunil Mathew, and Siraj Gill, co-founders of WLF, stated, “India is not just a market – it is the future of global combat sports.” Sanghvi envisions building a global sports intellectual property originating from India, while Feldman highlighted India’s long-held position in the organization’s expansion plans.
McGregor described the expansion as a “revolution,” asserting that “India has warriors in its DNA.” Shroff echoed this sentiment, stating the venture is “more than a fight – it’s a global movement.”
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the first events take place?
The first official BKFC and BKFL team-based events are scheduled for 2026, though specific venue and fight card details have not yet been announced.
Who is leading the expansion into India?
The move is being spearheaded by World League of Fighters (WLF), co-founded by Rajesh Banga, Sunil Mathew and Siraj Gill, alongside BKFC founder David Feldman and new board members Parag Sanghvi, Tiger Shroff, and Conor McGregor.
What is unique about this new league format?
The India expansion will introduce a team-based bare-knuckle league format, which is the first of its kind in the sport’s history, featuring six inaugural teams: Crushers, Punishers, Warriors, Phantoms, Gladiators and Infernos.
As the launch date approaches, it will be interesting to see how this new league format resonates with Indian audiences and whether it can establish a sustainable foothold in the competitive combat sports market.
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