Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Thailand

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Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Thailand
Company typePrivate
IndustryBare-knuckle boxing promotion
FoundedOctober 2021
FounderNick Chapman
HeadquartersPattaya, Chonburi province, Thailand
Key people
Nick Chapman
Vathanai Vathanakul
Websitewww.bkfc.com/th

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Thailand (BKFC Thailand), officially known as Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Asia (BKFC Asia), is a bare-knuckle boxing promotion based in Pattaya, Thailand. It is the officially licensed branch of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) in Asia. BKFC Asia is the first promotion in Thailand and Asia to receive full international licensing and sanctioning for bare-knuckle boxing. Founded in 2021, BKFC Asia has held 5 total events as of November 2023.

History[edit]

Early history[edit]

Before the establishment of BKFC Thailand, Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship partnered with Thailand-based Full Metal Dojo to organize a bare-knuckle boxing event titled Bare Knuckle Kingdom. The event took place in Phuket on March 5, 2021, featuring a number of fighters who would later compete on BKFC Thailand, including Po Denman, Steve Banks, Tee Jay Chang, Souris Manfredi, Jonny Tello, Kristof Kirsch, and Jean Carlos Pereira.[1][2] Future BKFC Asia CEO Nick Chapman also served as a referee in the event. Bare Knuckle Kingdom garnered a mixed response from viewers, who praised the quality of the fights but criticized the event for its ring announcer, commentary team, and low production value.[3]

Establishment[edit]

BKFC Thailand was founded in October 2021 by British former MMA fighter and referee Nick Chapman with the help of BKFC president David Feldman. BKFC Thailand events are managed by Nick Chapman and Vathanai Vathanakul.[4]

Inaugural event[edit]

BKFC Thailand held its inaugural event, titled BKFC Thailand 1: The Game Changer, on December 18, 2021, at the Pattaya Exhibition And Convention Hall (PEACH) in the Royal Cliff Hotels Group. The event featured big names like former two-division WBC boxing champion Sirimongkol Singmanasak and future ONE Championship Muay Thai fighter Sinsamut Klinmee.[5] As the organization continued to expand, BKFC Thailand underwent a rebranding to BKFC Asia on November 14, 2022. Despite the name change, events hosted in Thailand retained the BKFC Thailand designation to maintain regional recognition.

Broadcast partnership[edit]

In October 2023, BKFC Asia agreed to a broadcast partnership deal with TrueVisions, where True Sports would air BKFC Asia events.[6] On November 4, 2023, BKFC Thailand 5: Legends of Siam was aired live through True Sports, becoming the first bare-knuckle boxing event to be aired on Thai television.[7]

Squared Circle[edit]

The Squared Circle

BKFC Thailand conducts its matches inside a circular four-roped ring, known as the "Squared Circle." The Squared Circle is a nod to historical bare-knuckle boxing, featuring two scratch lines that are positioned three feet apart at the center of the ring. These lines are a homage to the Broughton Rules (specifically the London Prize Ring Rules), which were the cornerstone of 19th-century bare-knuckle fighting regulations. At the start of each round, fighters are required to place their front foot on their respective scratch line, a directive commonly referred to as "Toe the Line." The command "Knuckle Up," issued immediately afterward, signals the start of the action.[8]

Bare Knuckle Thai[edit]

Bare Knuckle Thai rules are similar to Muay Thai, with the notable exception that competitors fight without gloves. Matches consist of five rounds, with each round lasting two minutes. The rules permit the use of kicks, punches, elbows, and knees, but explicitly prohibit trips and sweeps. Fighters must also remain active in a clinch, which lasts for three seconds. In the event of a draw, a sixth extension round will be fought to determine a winner. BKFC Thailand held the first special rules Bare Knuckle Thai bout, featuring Muay Thai legends Buakaw Banchamek and Saenchai, at BKFC Thailand 5: Legends of Siam on November 4, 2023. [9][10]

Inaugural champions[edit]

The first BKFC Thailand champions were crowned at BKFC Thailand 2: Iconic Impact on May 7, 2022. Sirimongkol Singmanasak defeated Mike Vetrila to win the BKFC Thailand Light Heavyweight Championship while Fani Peloumpi defeated Souris Manfredi to win the BKFC Thailand Women's Strawweight Championship.[11]

Signing Buakaw Banchamek[edit]

On July 14, 2022, it was announced that Muay Thai legend and former K-1 World MAX champion Buakaw Banchamek had signed with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.[12] Buakaw made his bare-knuckle boxing debut at BKFC Thailand 3: Moment of Truth on September 3, 2022.

Signing Saenchai[edit]

On August 2, 2022, it was announced that Muay Thai legend Saenchai had signed with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.[13] Saenchai made his debut at BKFC Thailand 5: Legends of Siam on November 4, 2023.

Current champions[edit]

BKFC Thailand Champions
Division Champion Since Defenses
Light Heavyweight / 84 kg (185 lb) Thailand Sirimongkol Singmanasak May 7, 2022 0
Featherweight / 66 kg (146 lb) Thailand Krisana Srisang November 4, 2023 0
Women's Strawweight / 52 kg (115 lb) Thailand Po Denman November 4, 2023 0

Championship history[edit]

Light Heavyweight Championship[edit]

Weight limit: 185 lbs (84 kg)
No. Name Event Date Defenses
1 Thailand Sirimongkol Singmanasak
def. Mike Vetrila 		BKFC Thailand 1
Pattaya, Thailand 		May 7, 2022

Featherweight Championship[edit]

Weight limit: 145 lbs (66 kg)
No. Name Event Date Defenses
1 Thailand Surasak Sukkhamcha
def. Pongpisan Chunyong 		BKFC Thailand 3
Bangkok, Thailand 		September 3, 2022
Surasak Sukkhamcha vacated the BKFC Thailand Featherweight Championship.
2 Thailand Kritsana Srisang
def. Sarun Srioumboo 		BKFC Thailand 5
Pattaya, Thailand 		November 4, 2023

Women's Strawweight Championship[edit]

Weight limit: 115 lbs (52 kg)
No. Name Event Date Defenses
1 Greece Fani Peloumpi
def. Souris Manfredi 		BKFC Thailand 2
Pattaya, Thailand 		May 7, 2022
2 Thailand Po Denman BKFC Thailand 5
Pattaya, Thailand 		November 4, 2023

List of events[edit]

BKFC Thailand 1: The Game Changer[edit]

BKFC Thailand 1: The Game Changer
Information
PromotionBare Knuckle Fighting Championship
DateDecember 18, 2021
VenueRoyal Cliff Hotels Group
CityPattaya, Thailand

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Thailand 1: The Game Changer was a bare-knuckle fighting event by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship held on December 18, 2021, in Thailand.[14]

Background[edit]

Tee Jay Chang and Fabiano Hawthorne were scheduled to headline the event. In the co-main event, Sirimongkol Singmanasak and Reza Goodary will face each other.[15] Hawthorne later withdrew due to injury and was replaced by Keivan Soleimani.[16]

Results[edit]

BKFC Thailand 1: The Game Changer
Weight Class Method Round Time Notes
Welterweight 75 kg Iran Keivan Soleimani def. England Tee Jay Chang KO (punches) 1 0:30
Light heavyweight 84 kg ThailandSirimongkol Singmanasak def. Iran Reza Goodary Decision (split) 5 2:00
Preliminary Card
Middleweight 80 kg Thailand Boonsom Klinmee def. Canada Jonny Tello Decision (split) 5 2:00
Featherweight 66 kg Thailand Pongpisan Chunyong def. England Victor Booty TKO (punches) 3 1:48
Welterweight 75 kg Iran Reza Ahmadnezhad def. Thailand Thoedsak Sinam Decision (split) 5 2:00
Middleweight 80 kg Brazil Jean Carlos Pereira def. France Johan Van De Hel Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00
W.Strawweight 52 kg France Souris Manfredi def. Thailand Saowaluk Nareepaengsri KO (punch) 3 0:23
Heavyweight 120 kg Iran Arash Mardani def. Russia Zelemkhan Mukushev TKO (retirement) 2 0:58
Featherweight 66 kg Thailand Sarun Srioumboo def. Thailand Pipat Mike Chaiporn Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00
Featherweight 66 kg Thailand Surasak Sukkhamcha def. Kyrgyzstan Ermek Kumachaev Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00
Strawweight 53.5 kg Myanmar Somiong War def. Thailand Surachat Srirod KO (punch) 2 1:27

BKFC Thailand 2: Iconic Impact[edit]

BKFC Thailand 2: Iconic Impact
Information
PromotionBare Knuckle Fighting Championship
DateMay 7, 2022
VenueRoyal Cliff Hotels Group
CityPattaya

BKFC Thailand 2: Iconic Impact was a bare-knuckle fighting event held by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship on May 7, 2022, in Pattaya, Thailand.

Background[edit]

In the main event, Sirimongkol Singmanasak and Mike Vetrila competed for the inaugural BKFC Thailand Light Heavyweight Championship.[17]

The co-main event saw Souris Manfredi facing Fani Peloumpi for the inaugural BKFC Thailand Women's Strawweight Championship.[18]

Results[edit]

BKFC Thailand 2: Iconic Impact
Weight Class Method Round Time Notes
Light Heavyweight 84 kg Thailand Sirimongkol Singmanasak def. Russia Mike Vetrila Decision (split) 5 2:00 For the inaugural BKFC Thailand Light Heavyweight Championship
W.Strawweight 52 kg Greece Fani Peloumpi def. France Souris Manfredi Decision (split) 5 2:00 For the inaugural BKFC Thailand Women's Strawweight Championship
Heavyweight 120 kg United States Steve Banks def. Iran Akbar Karimi KO (punch) 2 0:14
Welterweight 75 kg Iran Keivan Soleimani def. Thailand Paitoon Jaikom Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00
Lightweight 70 kg Thailand Maseng Sornchai def. Thailand Naeem Binhar Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00
Featherweight 66 kg Thailand Pongpisan Chunyong def. Thailand Sudan Kulubon KO (punches) 1 1:50
Welterweight 75 kg England Tee Jay Chang def. Brazil Fabiano Hawthorne Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00
Lightweight 70 kg Thailand Sadudee Srimueang def. Thailand Phatiphan Krungklang TKO (shoulder injury) 3 2:00
Flyweight 57 kg Thailand Thanathorn Kamran def. Thailand Thodsaphon Wannahat KO (punches) 1 1:23
W.Catchweight 60 kg Thailand Usanakorn Thawilsuhannawang def. Thailand Benjamas Phakra KO (punches) 3 0:49

[19]

BKFC Thailand 3: Moment of Truth[edit]

BKFC Thailand 3: Moment of Truth
Information
PromotionBare Knuckle Fighting Championship
DateSeptember 3, 2022
VenueCentralWorld Live at 8floor CentralWorld
CityBangkok, Thailand

BKFC Thailand 3: Moment of Truth was a bare-knuckle fighting event held by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship on September 3, 2022, in Bangkok, Thailand.

Background[edit]

The main event will feature Muay Thai legend and two-time K-1 World MAX Champion Buakaw Banchamek making his bare-knuckle debut against Turkish kickboxing champion Erkan Varol. Pongpisan Chunyong will face Surasak Sukkhamcha for the inaugural BKFC Thailand Featherweight Championship in the co-main event.[20]

Fight card[edit]

BKFC Thailand 3
Weight Class Method Round Time Notes
Lightweight 70 kg Thailand Buakaw Banchamek def. Turkey Erkan Varol KO (punches) 1 1:50
Featherweight 66 kg Thailand Surasak Sukkhamcha def. Thailand Pongpisan Chunyong Ext.R Decision (majority) 6 2:00 For the inaugural BKFC Thailand Featherweight Championship.
Cruiserweight 93 kg Thailand Chaloemporn Sawatsuk def. United States Dominic Ahnee TKO (doctor stoppage) 3 0:41
Heavyweight 120 kg United States Steve Banks def. Egypt Ahmed Abdelfattah KO (punch) 1 0:53
Lightweight 70 kg Thailand Jakkaphop Rattanamangsang def. Thailand Maseng Sornchai KO (punches) 3 1:55
Middleweight 79 kg Russia Mike Vetrila def. Brazil Luis Paulo Terra Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00
Featherweight 66 kg Thailand Krisana Srisang def. Thailand Pipat Mike Chaiporn KO (punches) 2 0:36
W.Bantamweight 61 kg Thailand Usanakorn Thawilsuhannawang def. Thailand Natsuda Yooya KO (punches) 1 1:12
Bantamweight 61 kg Thailand Somchai Ainthida def. Thailand Suban Malopho Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00
W.Flyweight 57 kg Australia Tai Emery def. Thailand Rungarun Khunchai KO (punch) 1 1:41
Featherweight 66 kg Thailand Sadudee Srimueang def. Sri Lanka Mealinda Amarasinghe Decision (split) 5 2:00
Middleweight 79 kg Thailand Kantapon Petsang def. Thailand Somphong Satho KO (punch) 1 2:00

[21]

BKFC Asia 4: The Big Bash[edit]

BKFC Asia 4: The Big Bash
Information
PromotionBare Knuckle Fighting Championship
DateDecember 10, 2022
VenueSpacePlus Bangkok RCA
CityBangkok, Thailand

BKFC Asia 4: The Big Bash was a bare-knuckle fighting event held by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship at SpacePlus Bangkok RCA on December 10, 2022, in Bangkok, Thailand.

Background[edit]

The event was headlined by the bare-knuckle boxing debut of UFC and Brave CF veteran Rolando Dy, who faced Thailand boxing champion Apisit Sangmuang.[22]

Fight card[edit]

BKFC Asia 4
Weight Class Method Round Time Notes
Lightweight 70 kg Philippines Rolando Dy def. Thailand Apisit Sangmuang KO 1 0:42
W.Flyweight 57 kg Thailand Po Denman def. Australia Tai Emery Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00
Welterweight 75 kg Brazil Gilbert Patrocinio def. Thailand Channarong Injampa KO 2 1:23
Featherweight 66 kg Thailand Tetee Denman def. Myanmar Saw Htoo Aung Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00
Lightweight 70 kg Sweden Gustaf Cedermalm def. Guam Alex Castro KO 4 1:50
Featherweight 66 kg Thailand Krisana Srisang def. Algeria Sohanne Bengana TKO (shoulder injury) 2 0:47
Featherweight 66 kg Philippines Joemil Miado def. Iran Poorya Mokhtari KO 1 1:30
Preliminary Card
Featherweight 66 kg Thailand Sarun Srioumboo def. England Victor Booty KO 2 1:10
Bantamweight 61 kg Cambodia Chor Pov def. India Patho Ghosh KO 2 1:18
Bantamweight 61 kg Cambodia Ouch Thearith def. India Anubhav Kumar Verma KO 3 0:56

[23]

BKFC Thailand 5: Legends of Siam[edit]

BKFC Thailand 5
Information
PromotionBare Knuckle Fighting Championship
DateNovember 4, 2023
VenueRoyal Cliff Hotels Group
CityPattaya

BKFC Thailand 5: Legends of Siam was a bare-knuckle fighting event held by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship on November 4, 2023.

Background[edit]

The event was headlined by a Special Rules Bare Knuckle Thai Fight featuring Muay Thai icons Buakaw Banchamek vs. Saenchai, who were scheduled to face each other in March 2023.[24]

The co-main event featured a title match between defending champion Fani Peloumpi and Po Denman for the BKFC Thailand Strawweight Championship. Also on the card was a title fight for the vacant BKFC Thailand Featherweight Championship between Krisana Srisang and Sarun Srioumboo.

Bonus awards

The following fighters were awarded bonuses:

  • Fight of the Night: Pongpisan Chunyong vs. Tha Pyay Nyo

Results[edit]

BKFC Thailand 5
Weight Class Method Round Time Notes
Lightweight 70 kg Thailand Buakaw Banchamek def. Thailand Saenchai Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00 Special Thai Rules bout
W.Strawweight 52 kg Thailand Po Denman def. Greece Fani Peloumpi (c) Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00 For the BKFC Thailand Women's Strawweight Championship
Featherweight 66 kg Thailand Krisana Srisang def. Thailand Sarun Srioumboo KO 3 0:18 For the vacant BKFC Thailand Featherweight Championship
Lightweight 70 kg Germany Kristof Kirsch def. England Tee Jay Chang KO 2 0:45
Cruiserweight 93 kg Germany Daniel Dörrer def. Sweden Tofan Pirani TKO (referee stoppage) 1 2:00 Hand injury
Featherweight 66 kg Scotland Andrew Miller def. Thailand Teerawat Wongon KO 1 1:13
Featherweight 66 kg Philippines Joemil Miado def. Sweden Gustaf Cedermalm KO 2 0:43
Light Heavyweight 84 kg Canada Jonny Tello def. Thailand Chaloemporn Sawatsuk TKO 5 0:50
Cruiserweight 93 kg Iran Purya Rokhneh def. France Yohann Marin KO 2
Preliminary Card
Featherweight 66 kg Thailand Pongpisan Chunyong def. Myanmar Tha Pyay Nyo Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00 Fight of the Night. Judges' scorecards: 50–44, 50–44, 50–44
Middleweight 79 kg Russia Mike Vetrila def. Philippines Allen Wycoco Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00 Judges' scorecards: 50–44, 50–44, 50–44
Lightweight 70 kg Thailand Tumba def. Thailand Maseng Sornchai Decision (split) 5 2:00 Judges' scorecards: 48–47, 48–47, 47–48

[25]

Notable fighters[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Full Metal Dojo presents Bare Knuckle Kingdom 1". Full Metal Dojo. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
  2. ^ "Bare Knuckle Kingdom 1". Tapology. 2021-03-05. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
  3. ^ "[OFFICIAL] Bareknuckle Fighting Championship presents...Bare Knuckle Kingdom 1: Live From Thailand - Live Fight Thread". Reddit. 2021-03-07. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  4. ^ "BKFC Thailand". Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  5. ^ "BKFC Thailand 1 Results". MMA Sucka. 2021-12-18. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  6. ^ "4 พ.ย.นี้!! "ทรูวิชั่นส์" และ "ทรูวิชั่นส์ นาว" เสิร์ฟศึกแลกหมัดสองตำนานนักชกไทยผู้ยิ่งใหญ่ "บัวขาว vs แสนชัย" ในซูเปอร์ไฟต์ BKFC Thailand 5". MGR Online (in Thai). 2023-11-04. Retrieved 2023-11-23.
  7. ^ "ไฟต์เดือด 2 ตำนานไทย 'บัวขาว vs แสนชัย' ศึก BKFC Thailand 5 'ทรูวิชั่นส์' ยิงสด 4 พ.ย.นี้". Matichon Online (in Thai). 2023-10-31. Retrieved 2023-11-23.
  8. ^ "Everything you need to know about Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship". MyMMANews.com. 30 May 2018. Retrieved 2019-04-16.
  9. ^ "BKFC Thailand 5: Buakaw vs. Saenchai – Everything You Need to Know". Beyond Kick. 2023-11-03. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  10. ^ "Buakaw, Saenchai set for Muay Thai with bare knuckle twist". Asian MMA. 2023-10-11. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  11. ^ "BKFC Thailand 2 Results". MMA Sucka. 2022-05-07. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
  12. ^ "BKFC signs muay Thai superstar Buakaw Banchamek to multifight deal". MMA Junkie. 2022-07-15. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  13. ^ "BKFC Sign Muay Thai Icon Saenchai Ahead Of Transition To Bare Knuckle Fighting". LowKick MMA. 2022-08-02. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  14. ^ THAITICKETMAJOR. "Official Ticket | BKFC THAILAND". THAITICKETMAJOR. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
  15. ^ "The first appearance of an Iranian in BKFC". YJC (in Persian). 2021-11-29. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
  16. ^ "OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT". Facebook. 2021-12-13. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
  17. ^ "Our main event for BKFC Thailand 2". Facebook. 2022-02-22. Retrieved 2022-02-23.
  18. ^ "BKFC 2 Thailand: It's Souris Manfredi vs. Fani Peloumpi for the inaugural women's strawweight title". MMA Crossfire. 2022-02-23. Retrieved 2022-03-02.
  19. ^ "Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Thailand 2: Iconic Impact". bareknuckle.tv. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  20. ^ "BKFC THAILAND 3: Moment of truth set for September 3". The Thaiger. 2022-08-11. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
  21. ^ "BKFC Thailand 3 results and highlights: Buakaw shines in debut, finishes opponent with body shots". Bloody Elbow. 2022-09-03. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  22. ^ "BKFC Asia 4: The Big Bash announced for December 10". The Thaiger. 2022-11-28. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  23. ^ "BKFC Thailand 4 Results". MMA Sucka. 2022-12-10. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  24. ^ Timothy Wheaton (June 12, 2023). "Buakaw vs. Saenchai Confirmed for BKFC Asia 5 on November 4". combatpress.com.
  25. ^ "Buakaw beats Saenchai in bare knuckle muay thai fight: results, play-by-play". Bloody Elbow. 2023-11-06. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
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