BKFC vs UFC: Rules, Pay, Fighters Who Crossed Over
BKFC (Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship) and the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) are two of the most prominent combat sports promotions in the world, but they could not be more different in format, rules, and culture. One features bare-fisted boxing in a circular pit. The other features mixed martial arts in an octagonal cage. Despite these differences, a growing number of fighters have competed in both promotions, and the relationship between BKFC and UFC has become one of the most interesting dynamics in combat sports.
This guide covers everything that separates BKFC from UFC, the fighters who have crossed over between them, and what each promotion offers to fighters and fans.
Rules Comparison
The Fighting Surface
| Feature | BKFC | UFC |
|---|---|---|
| Surface | Circular pit ("Squared Circle") | Octagon (eight-sided cage) |
| Size | Smaller than a boxing ring | 30 feet across (standard) |
| Enclosure | Roped area | Chain-link fence |
BKFC's smaller fighting area forces engagement. There is nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, and extended periods of inactivity are nearly impossible. The UFC's octagon provides more room for movement, circling, and strategic distance management.
Permitted Techniques
| Technique | BKFC | UFC |
|---|---|---|
| Punches | Yes (bare-fisted) | Yes (4oz gloves) |
| Kicks | No | Yes |
| Knees | No | Yes |
| Elbows | No | Yes |
| Takedowns | No | Yes |
| Ground fighting | No | Yes |
| Submissions | No | Yes |
| Clinch work | Limited | Yes |
BKFC is pure bare knuckle boxing. No kicks, no takedowns, no submissions, no ground fighting. This simplicity is one of BKFC's selling points: every fight is decided on the feet with fists only. The UFC, by contrast, encompasses all aspects of fighting, which creates more varied but sometimes slower-paced contests.
Rounds and Duration
| Feature | BKFC | UFC |
|---|---|---|
| Rounds (standard) | 5 rounds | 3 rounds |
| Rounds (title fights) | 5 rounds | 5 rounds |
| Round length | 2 minutes | 5 minutes |
| Total fight time | 10 minutes | 15-25 minutes |
BKFC fights are shorter and faster. Two-minute rounds with bare fists mean the action is compressed and the pace is relentless. UFC fights are longer, which allows for more strategic development but can also produce slower fights.
Gloves and Hand Protection
The most obvious difference: BKFC fighters compete with bare fists. A thin layer of gauze wrap is permitted to protect the wrist, but the knuckles are exposed. UFC fighters wear four-ounce open-fingered gloves.
This single difference changes everything about how fighters punch, how much damage is sustained, and what kinds of injuries are most common. For a detailed breakdown of injury differences, see our bare knuckle fighting injuries guide.
Fighter Pay
BKFC Pay Structure
BKFC fighter pay varies widely based on the fighter's experience, profile, and the nature of the event. General ranges include:
- Preliminary card fighters: Lower-end purses for developing fighters on the undercard.
- Main card fighters: Mid-range purses for established fighters on the main card.
- Main event/title fighters: The highest purses, which can be substantial for the promotion's top draws.
- PPV shares: Top fighters may negotiate pay-per-view revenue shares for major events.
BKFC has been transparent about wanting to pay fighters competitively, and the promotion's growth has allowed purses to increase over time.
UFC Pay Structure
UFC fighter pay is a frequent topic of controversy. The general structure includes:
- Base pay: A contracted amount for showing up and fighting.
- Win bonus: Many UFC contracts include a bonus equal to the base pay for winning.
- Performance bonuses: $50,000 bonuses for Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night awards.
- PPV points: Top-level fighters negotiate a share of pay-per-view revenue.
- Sponsorship: Since the UFC's Reebok (now Venum) deal, fighter sponsorship income from individual sponsors has been significantly reduced.
Pay Comparison
Direct pay comparisons are difficult because both promotions vary widely in what they pay different fighters. However, several trends are notable:
- Entry-level: UFC minimum pay has historically been higher than BKFC entry-level pay, though both have increased over time.
- Mid-level: The gap narrows at the mid-level, where BKFC's smaller roster means established fighters may receive a larger share of attention and pay.
- Top-level: UFC's top fighters earn significantly more than BKFC's top fighters in absolute terms, but BKFC's top fighters may earn more relative to the promotion's revenue.
Fighters Who Have Crossed Over
The pipeline between the UFC and BKFC has become one of the most notable trends in combat sports. Several prominent fighters have competed in both promotions.
Paige VanZant
Perhaps the highest-profile UFC-to-BKFC crossover. VanZant was a popular UFC fighter with a massive social media following who signed with BKFC after her UFC contract expired. Her presence brought mainstream attention to BKFC on a scale that no other signing had achieved. For more on her BKFC career, see our BKFC Female Fighters guide.
Chad Mendes
Former UFC featherweight title challenger Chad Mendes transitioned to BKFC, bringing legitimate MMA credibility to the bare knuckle promotion. His UFC career included fights against some of the best featherweights in history.
Alan Belcher
Former UFC middleweight Alan Belcher competed in BKFC, bringing his MMA experience to the bare knuckle format. His transition highlighted the adjustments MMA fighters must make when competing without kicks, takedowns, and grappling.
Mike Perry
"Platinum" Mike Perry became one of BKFC's biggest stars after his UFC career. Known for his aggressive striking style in the UFC, Perry found a natural home in bare knuckle fighting, where his power and willingness to engage translated perfectly. He has become one of BKFC's most marketable fighters.
Bec Rawlings
Bec Rawlings was a UFC veteran who became the first woman to fight in BKFC. Her willingness to be the pioneer helped establish the women's division in bare knuckle fighting.
Thiago Alves
Former UFC welterweight contender Thiago Alves competed in BKFC, bringing his striking credentials to the bare knuckle format. His UFC career included some of the biggest fights in welterweight history.
The Crossover Challenge
Moving from UFC to BKFC (or vice versa) is not a simple transition. Several factors make the crossover challenging:
For UFC Fighters Moving to BKFC
- No grappling: UFC fighters who rely on wrestling, submissions, or ground-and-pound lose their most effective tools.
- No kicks: Fighters who use kicks as a primary weapon must reinvent their striking game.
- Bare fists: Punching without gloves requires technical adjustments to avoid hand injuries.
- Pace: BKFC's two-minute rounds require a faster pace than the five-minute rounds in the UFC.
- Ring vs cage: The circular pit in BKFC is a different fighting environment than the octagon.
For BKFC Fighters Moving to UFC
- New skill requirements: BKFC fighters would need to develop grappling, wrestling, and ground fighting skills.
- Gloves change timing: Punching with four-ounce gloves requires different timing and distance management.
- Longer rounds: Five-minute rounds require different conditioning and pacing strategies.
- Larger talent pool: The UFC's roster is deeper than BKFC's in virtually every weight class.
Ownership and Business
Conor McGregor and BKFC
One of the most significant business developments in BKFC's history was Conor McGregor's ownership involvement. The former UFC two-division champion's association with BKFC created a direct bridge between the two promotions and generated significant media coverage.
UFC's Position
The UFC has maintained its position as the dominant MMA promotion globally, with exclusive broadcast deals, a massive fighter roster, and events that generate hundreds of millions in pay-per-view revenue. BKFC is not a direct competitor to the UFC but exists in an adjacent space that benefits from the UFC's role in making combat sports mainstream.
Which One Should You Watch?
Watch BKFC If You Want
- Non-stop, stand-up fighting action
- Raw, visceral combat without the complexity of MMA
- Shorter events with faster-paced fights
- An emerging promotion with a growing roster
- The unique spectacle of bare knuckle boxing
Watch UFC If You Want
- The highest level of mixed martial arts competition
- The deepest talent pool in combat sports
- Strategic variety including striking, wrestling, and grappling
- The biggest stars and the biggest events
- A well-established promotion with decades of history
Watch Both
Many combat sports fans watch both BKFC and UFC. The two promotions offer fundamentally different experiences, and following both gives you the broadest perspective on combat sports.
For more on the differences between bare knuckle fighting and MMA as disciplines, see our bare knuckle boxing vs MMA guide. For how to watch BKFC, see our How to Watch BKFC guide.