8IGHT Strikes targets major growth after 495,000 viewers tune in for launch event

8IGHT Strikes founder Charlie Herdman speaks exclusively to Combat Evolved about the promotion's 495,000-viewer launch, its unique stand-up ruleset and plans to expand into North America.

New combat sports promotion 8IGHT Strikes is targeting major growth after attracting 495,000 live viewers for its launch event, with Sunderland next on the schedule on October 24.

The promotion has introduced its own stand-up striking ruleset, combining elements of MMA, kickboxing, Muay Thai, karate and traditional boxing while removing wrestling and ground fighting.

Fighters compete in 4oz gloves and can use punches, kicks, knees and elbows, with bouts taking place over three three-minute rounds.

Every round is openly scored, with the winner receiving one point and an additional point awarded for each knockdown. Clinching is limited to five seconds of active fighting, with fighters required to separate after one knee.

8IGHT Strikes founder Charlie Herdman believes the format offers something different for combat sports fans.

“8IGHT Strikes is the world's fastest-paced combat sport format, prioritising high action per second to keep viewers engaged,” Herdman told Combat Evolved.

“8IGHT Strikes' own 'Standup Striking' ruleset combines the best striking elements from a mixture of different disciplines including kickboxing, MMA, Muay Thai, karate and traditional boxing.”

495,000 viewers tune in for launch event

8IGHT Strikes launched live on talkSPORT in the UK and Ireland, attracting 495,000 live viewers according to figures supplied by the promotion.

The launch has since been followed by hundreds of re-airings across television channels in North America.

Herdman believes the early figures show there is an audience for a stand-up-only format that remains familiar to MMA fans.

“Having 495,000 unique live viewers on our launch event proved that there was real demand for the product and format,” he said.

“We had great viewership and viewer response from North America, where MMA and UFC are most prominent, which further proved the demand for a stand-up-only format that still connected with the MMA fan base.”

The promotion plans to continue using free-to-air broadcasting during its opening two seasons as it attempts to establish an audience.

8IGHT Strikes heads to Sunderland

The next event takes place at Sunderland Live Arena on Saturday, October 24, marking the promotion's first show in the North East.

Jordan Thursby vs Brandon Harden, Jack Maguire vs Lewis Keen and Dan Cranston vs Kain Barrows are among the fights already confirmed for the card.

Herdman says Sunderland was chosen because of both the region's combat sports scene and the type of atmosphere the promotion wants to create around its events.

“The North East of England has always been a hotbed for combat sport talent, with a wide range of fighting styles that complements the 8IGHT Strikes 'Standup Striking' ruleset very well,” he said.

“The North East is also well known for enjoying a good social night out, which is the exact atmosphere we look to create at the events, emulating the darts with long social trestle tables that encourage drinking, singing, chanting and overall social activities.

“The North East will be one of a few marquee locations for us during our initial UK launch phase.”

North American expansion planned

The promotion has funding in place for 15 events across its opening two seasons, with the focus initially remaining largely on the UK.

According to Herdman, the response to the first event has also attracted interest from outside investors.

“With the success of the launch event, we've been approached by a number of venture capital and private equity companies to invest seven figures plus into 8IGHT Strikes,” he said.

“For us, we have secured the funding we need to build out the foundations of Season One and Two, and will be looking to take on a significant raise during Season Three and Four.”

The longer-term plan is to expand into North America and begin attracting established fighters from other combat sports.

Herdman pointed towards the likes of Mike Perry and Darren Till moving into bare-knuckle boxing as an example of the level of crossover 8IGHT Strikes eventually wants to achieve.

“[Season Three and Four] is when we will launch in North America and begin to sign established figures within the combat world, similar to Mike Perry and Darren Till signing to BKFC.”

The promotion's original plans also include expanding internationally and increasing its schedule to 12 events per year as it grows.

For now, Herdman's focus is on establishing 8IGHT Strikes in the UK before attempting that expansion.

“Three years from now 8IGHT Strikes would have built a really strong foundation in the UK through a free-to-air broadcast strategy,” he said.

“We would have started or completed a significant seven-figure raise to expand into North America, expand our roster, align ourselves with a broadcaster or broadcasters, and really start to supersize and operate like an established sports property.”

8IGHT Strikes returns to Sunderland Live Arena on October 24, with further events scheduled for Sunderland on December 19 and Cardiff's Vale Arena on January 30.

Nick Dacres

Nick Dacres is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Combat Evolved, overseeing the platform’s editorial direction, original video content and coverage across MMA, boxing and the wider combat sports world. Working across journalism, interviewing and videography, Nick has covered major promotions including the UFC, Cage Warriors and PFL, while producing original content with fighters ranging from rising prospects to established names at the highest level of the sport. His work focuses heavily on telling the stories behind the fighters, combining in-depth interviews with access to training camps and behind-the-scenes environments to give audiences a closer look at the people behind the competition.