The Takeover: How BKB Outmaneuvered BKFC for Global Dominance

For years, BKFC held a vice grip on the bare-knuckle boxing market. Disrupting the market, they hired combat-sports veterans and brought recognised names to the business. While BKFC took social media by storm, a quiet challenger began to emerge across the Atlantic.

Miami’s BYB Extreme merged with the U.K’s BKB promotion, adopting the British moniker globally before locking down television deals, the promotion bought the block.

BYB Extreme's acquisition of the UK-based BKB in May 2024 was the promotional equivalent of perfect cage-cutting. The promotion did not just buy a company, they executed a tactical maneuver on the global talent pool.

​The UK has always been the bleeding heart of bare-knuckle fighting's modern resurgence. The sport delivered British fans the violence they desired. BKB was already the oldest, most respected professional bare-knuckle outfit outside the United States.

By formally dropping the BYB acronym in early 2025 and rebranding the entire global empire under the BKB banner, the promotion honored that British lineage. They united the gritty, backyard-brawl origins of South Florida’s Dhafir “Dada 5000” Harris with the packed-arena spectacles of London and Wolverhampton.

​While fighters win rounds, executives win wars. BKB assembled a front office capable of entirely monopolising the bare knuckle business.

​It started with Mike Vazquez. As an entrepreneurial visionary, Vazquez formulated HRT Motorsports, the first Hispanic-owned racing team, successfully helping bring NASCAR to Mexico. He possesses an incredible vision for BKB, laying the aggressive foundation for a global combat sports empire.

​Leadership then transitioned to elevate the product. David Tetreault took the reins as CEO, succeeding former CEO Greg Bloom. Tetreault brings over 30 years of elite media and entertainment experience, heavily anchored by executive roles at FOX, Warner Bros and Golden Boy Promotions. Not only does he understand live sports distribution mechanics, he knows exactly how to scale a premium combat sports property.

​Signing Loren Mack in July 2026 was the final piece of the puzzle. Mack joined as Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President of Strategy. He famously cut his teeth during the UFC’s most aggressive international expansion era. Architected the PR machine for ONE Championship, then drove the Professional Fighters League (PFL) global rollout as their Senior VP of Corporate Communications. His mandate is clear – weaponise the brand and exploit the massive social media engagement.

​Execution requires discipline. Here is exactly how BKB out-maneuvered the competition.

​The Mighty Trigon: BKB's patented three-sided Trigon ring is the smallest fighting surface in combat sports, eliminating lateral movement, you cannot circle out. Athletes must rely on head movement, dirty boxing, and brutal clinch work. There is no choice but to have to bite down on the mouthpiece and trade.

​The VICE TV Deal: App streams are for niche audiences. Linear television is for global powerhouses. BKB secured a multi-year rights agreement with VICE TV, guaranteeing 13 live events in 2025. Starting with BYB 37 in Denver, they beamed authentic combat into over 40 million cable homes.

​Roster Depth & History: The merger created a massive global roster. By securing the rights to the historic Police Gazette Diamond Belt, they bought the sport's actual history.

The TikTok Takeover: A massive broadcast partnership turned the organisation into the most-viewed live sports property on TikTok. With over 53 million likes and exclusive live event streams streamed directly to fans on the app, BKB bypasses traditional gatekeepers.

Though BKFC made the early noise. BKB built the machine. By bridging the transatlantic gap and securing elite executive talent, BKB stripped away the novelty of fighting without gloves. They legitimised it as a premium product. The takeover is complete. The gloves are off. It is now about total market domination.