BKFC's $25M Tournament in 2025: Game-Changing Plans Revealed

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) president David Feldman has unveiled more details about the promotion’s highly anticipated $25 million tournament set to launch in 2025. The massive event aims to feature fighters from around the globe, offering the largest prize pool in combat sports history.

Initially announced in late 2024, the tournament’s specifics were vague. Now, Feldman has shared insights into the structure, eligibility, and timeline of this groundbreaking competition. While the final rules are still being refined, Feldman confirmed the tournament will feature an "extended weight class," potentially encompassing fighters from five or six divisions.

“What it’s going to be is one, big, larger extended weight class,” Feldman told MMA Fighting. “You’re going to see guys from five different continents trying out for this thing. How many different countries? I don’t know, 30, 40, 50 different countries.”

Feldman hinted at potential weight ranges, suggesting higher classes might span from 175 to 275 pounds and lower classes from 135 to 165 pounds. The tournament will operate under an openweight format to accommodate a wide array of fighters while ensuring competitive matchups.

Fans can expect marquee names as well as rising talents, with Feldman promising a mix of global superstars and unheralded prospects.

“Everybody has to qualify for this tournament,” he said. “There’s going to be a couple of guys we lure in with a bye into the final eight because I want big names, but I also want to find diamonds in the rough.”

Feldman envisions the event not only asew a platform for thrilling matchups but also as a star-making opportunity for lesser-known fighters. The tournament will span nine to ten months, starting in April 2025 and concluding in 2026. If successful, Feldman teased the possibility of future iterations, with even larger prize pools—potentially reaching $100 million in the years ahead.

“I’m looking to do the biggest and best things,” Feldman said. “If we fall, we’re going to fall flat on our face with the biggest, epic fail in combat sports, but I really think we have the recipe for what the fans want right now.”

Finalized details, including prize money breakdowns and tournament logistics, are expected to be announced within weeks.