Bare-knuckle boxing is surging back into the spotlight this spring, with the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) bringing a double dose of high-octane action to fight fans on both sides of the Atlantic. Denver, Colorado, and Newcastle, England, are set to host pivotal nights in the sport’s ongoing renaissance, with established stars, local heroes, and fresh faces all vying for glory and recognition inside the squared circle.
On April 17, 2026, the National Western Center in Denver will roar to life as BKFC 88 lands in the Mile High City. The main event promises fireworks, as hometown favorite Chris Camozzi faces off against knockout machine Esteban Rodriguez for the interim BKFC cruiserweight title. Camozzi, a Denver staple with a 4-2 BKFC record, is no stranger to the championship spotlight. He captured the belt with a thunderous first-round knockout of Sawyer DePee at BKFC 67 and later defended it successfully against Andrea Bicchi at BKFC 73 in Italy. However, his most recent outing saw him drop a competitive decision to Alessio Sakara at BKFC 83, a result that’s only stoked his hunger for redemption.
Rodriguez, meanwhile, enters the bout with a fearsome reputation and a 5-1 record, all five wins coming by way of knockout. He’s riding a three-fight knockout streak, having dispatched Zac Cavender, Julio Perez Rodriguez, and Keegan Vandermeer in rapid succession. Rodriguez’s resume also boasts stoppage victories over Jaquis Williams and Erick Murray Jr., making him one of the most dangerous finishers in the division. With the interim title on the line and the No. 1 and No. 2 contenders colliding, anticipation is sky-high.
BKFC founder and president David Feldman summed up the excitement, saying, "Some of our best nights and largest crowds have taken place in Denver. Camozzi against Rodriguez—No. 1 versus No. 2 in the cruiserweight division—promises fireworks from the opening bell." It’s a sentiment echoed by fans and fighters alike, with the stakes and local pride ensuring an electric atmosphere.
The Denver card is stacked from top to bottom. In lightweight action, former BKFC champion Elvin Brito (7-6) squares off with Colorado’s own Ramiro Figueroa (4-1). Brito, who last competed at BKFC 79 and stopped Brandon Meyer, brings experience and grit to the matchup. Figueroa, coming off wins over Dalvin Blair and Howard Davis, is eager to prove himself on home turf and take a major step up in competition.
Heavyweight fireworks are also expected as Josh Copeland takes on Corey Willis. Copeland, last seen battling former UFC champion Andrei Arlovski at BKFC 78, is looking to reassert himself in the division. Willis, meanwhile, is seeking redemption after a tough loss to Leonardo Perdomo at BKFC 85. Both men have plenty to prove, and neither is likely to take a backward step.
The undercard showcases a mix of rising prospects and seasoned veterans, with matchups including Josh Fremd vs. Jared Torgeson, Andrew Yates vs. Rodney Hinton, Angelo Trujillo vs. Anthony Yost, Octavin Turner vs. Joby Steffensmeier, Tyler Sijohn vs. JoJo Chillizzi, Matt Maestas vs. Ruben Arroyo, and Sergio Lopez vs. Brett Hudson. With so much talent on display, fans can expect a night packed with drama, heart, and the raw intensity that defines bare-knuckle fighting.
While Denver gears up for its own night of mayhem, the BKFC spotlight also shines brightly on Newcastle, England, where a long-awaited debut is set to turn heads. Gzim Selmani, best known to wrestling fans as a former WWE and NXT tag team champion, is ready to make his mark in the bare-knuckle world. Selmani steps into the BKFC ring for the first time on March 14, 2026, facing Daniel Curtin at BKFC Newcastle. The Albanian-born powerhouse, who fought for Bellator and BAMMA before age 20 and compiled a 4-2 pro MMA record, brings a wealth of combat experience and a reputation for toughness.
Selmani’s promotional debut was initially expected at KnuckleMania 6 earlier this year, but the promotion opted to delay his first appearance—a decision Selmani took in stride. "It’s always good seeing the boss support you like this, and he knows what I’m capable of," Selmani said, referencing BKFC co-owner and former UFC superstar Conor McGregor. McGregor has been vocal in his support, using social media to hype Selmani’s arrival and ensure fans are ready for the fireworks he promises to deliver.
Selmani’s confidence is palpable, especially when discussing the current heavyweight landscape. At KnuckleMania 6, former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski stopped Ben Rothwell to capture the BKFC heavyweight crown. Selmani watched the bout closely and offered his take: "Yeah, it was a good fight. It went like I thought it was going to go. I know Ben Rothwell was dangerous with his right hand, but that’s kind of what he counts on every fight, and Arlovski’s more in and out, throwing the combinations. And yeah, if you just wait for one punch, that’s what’s going to happen." He added, "All due respect, but if we face in the future, it won’t go like that."
Pressed on why a potential matchup with Arlovski would play out differently, Selmani explained, "You know, I don’t fight like Ben Rothwell waiting for one punch. I’m a fighter that goes in there and in and out, throws combinations, hard, hard hitting, and, yeah, I’m a completely different fighter than Ben Rothwell, so wouldn’t go like this [other] fighter." It’s a bold claim, but one that’s backed by a history of aggressive, high-paced fighting—traits that have served Selmani well across multiple disciplines.
McGregor’s endorsement is no small thing, either. "He knows my fight career before WWE and he knows how I’m training right now. He keeps an eye out and he keeps in check, so he knows what I’m capable of and what I’m doing in training camp, what I’m doing to sparring partners, and he’s very excited. He’s very excited and he’s, at the end of the day, he’s a businessman and he knows what he’s got in his hands with me. So, yeah, it’s normal that he’s going to push it a little bit more than a different fighter," Selmani told MMA Fighting.
As the BKFC continues to expand its global footprint, the upcoming events in Denver and Newcastle represent both the sport’s growing popularity and its appeal to athletes from a variety of backgrounds. Whether it’s established champions defending their turf, knockout artists looking to extend their streaks, or crossover stars seeking to prove themselves in a new arena, the stakes have never been higher—or the action more unpredictable.
With the main event in Denver pitting Camozzi against Rodriguez in a true clash of cruiserweight titans, and Selmani’s much-anticipated debut in Newcastle drawing global eyes, the stage is set for a spring to remember in bare-knuckle boxing. Fans can hardly wait to see who will rise, who will fall, and who will etch their name into BKFC history.