India’s burgeoning combat sports landscape is on the cusp of a transformative revolution as the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) and its sister organization, the Bare Knuckle Fight League (BKFL), announce their official and much-anticipated entry into the subcontinent. This strategic expansion marks a pivotal moment for the sport, signaling a deep dive into one of the world’s most dynamic and rapidly growing markets for athletic entertainment. The move is not merely an expansion; it’s an ambitious endeavor to redefine combat sports in India, propelled by a unique team-based league format and an unparalleled constellation of global sports and entertainment luminaries.
At the heart of this groundbreaking initiative is the World League of Fighters (WLF), BKFC’s exclusive license holder for India. Co-founded by the visionary trio of Rajesh Banga, Sunil Mathew, and Siraj Gill, WLF is orchestrating this colossal entry, leveraging its expertise and strategic acumen to lay the foundation for what promises to be a sporting phenomenon. Their credentials speak volumes, having successfully delivered a sold-out BKFC event in Dubai last year—an undisputed benchmark described as the largest bare-knuckle fighting spectacle ever held in the Middle East. This past triumph serves as a powerful testament to WLF’s capability to execute large-scale, high-impact combat sports events, setting a formidable precedent for their Indian venture.
The gravitas and global appeal of this Indian expansion are further amplified by the extraordinary assembly of talent joining the WLF board. This executive roster reads like a who’s who of global entertainment and combat sports, underscoring the monumental scale of the project. It includes BKFC founder and president David Feldman, whose pioneering vision brought bare-knuckle boxing back into the mainstream; former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor, a global icon who also became a part-owner of BKFC in 2024, bringing his unparalleled brand power and fighting acumen; renowned film producer Parag Sanghvi, celebrated for his keen understanding of mass appeal and storytelling; and Bollywood superstar and martial artist Tiger Shroff, whose immense popularity and dedication to fitness make him a natural ambassador for the sport in India. This eclectic blend of leadership signals a multi-faceted approach, aiming to fuse raw athletic competition with the glamour and narrative depth of mainstream entertainment.
India, with its vast youth demographic, deep-rooted martial arts traditions, and an insatiable appetite for entertainment, has long been identified as a critical frontier for global sports organizations. The WLF co-founders, in a joint statement, articulated this sentiment with profound conviction: "India is not just a market – it is the future of global combat sports." They emphasized a holistic vision beyond mere competition, stating, "Together with BKFC, BKFL, and WLF, we are building an ecosystem that will develop Indian fighters, create global stars and deliver world-class fight entertainment to millions of fans." This speaks to a long-term commitment to nurturing local talent and establishing a sustainable ecosystem that can elevate Indian athletes onto the global stage.
One of the most innovative aspects of this Indian foray is the introduction of a groundbreaking team-based bare-knuckle league format—a pioneering structure that marks a significant evolution in the history of the sport. This novel approach will transform individual contests into a franchise-based competition, mirroring the highly successful models of other Indian sports leagues like the Indian Premier League (IPL) in cricket. The inaugural season will feature six dynamic teams: the Crushers, Punishers, Warriors, Phantoms, Gladiators, and Infernos. This format is designed to foster regional loyalties, create compelling narratives, and broaden the sport’s appeal beyond traditional combat sports enthusiasts, potentially attracting a wider audience, including women and families, through structured competition and team-based rivalries. It moves bare-knuckle fighting from niche spectacle to mainstream sports entertainment.
To steer this ambitious venture, the organization has appointed Rahul Saxena as CEO. Saxena brings a wealth of experience in successfully scaling global brands, a crucial asset for navigating the complexities of launching and establishing a new sports league in a diverse market like India. His leadership will be instrumental in translating the grand vision of the founders and board members into tangible operational success.
Parag Sanghvi, a prominent figure in the Indian film industry and now a key board member, articulated his vision for the venture as an unparalleled opportunity to forge a sports intellectual property with global resonance, originating from India itself. "This is where world-class storytelling meets raw, uncompromising sport," Sanghvi remarked, highlighting the synergistic potential. "With WLF, BKFC, and Conor McGregor, we are not just launching a league – we are architecting a global sports IP from India that will command attention, talent, and fandom worldwide." His insight into narrative creation and audience engagement is poised to infuse the league with an entertainment quotient that resonates deeply with the Indian audience.
BKFC founder David Feldman echoed the long-standing strategic importance of India in the organization’s global expansion plans. "India has been on our roadmap for a long time," he stated, emphasizing the country’s unique allure. "The scale, the energy, the culture – there is no place like it. With the leadership team we have assembled and our partnership with WLF, we are bringing the purest form of combat sports to a nation ready for it." Feldman’s remarks underscore a thoughtful, calculated approach to market entry, recognizing India’s readiness for a high-octane, authentic combat sports experience.
Conor McGregor, whose name alone conjures images of electrifying combat and unparalleled showmanship, framed the Indian expansion as nothing short of transformative. As a global partner for BKFC and now a board member, his endorsement carries immense weight. "India has warriors in its DNA," McGregor asserted, connecting the sport to India’s inherent cultural fabric. "What we’re building with BKFC and BKFL in India will be something the world has never seen before. This is not just expansion – this is a revolution." His impassioned declaration sets a high bar for the impact the league intends to make, promising an event series that will captivate global attention.
Bollywood sensation Tiger Shroff, renowned for his dedication to fitness and martial arts prowess, expressed his honor in joining this historic initiative alongside McGregor. His involvement bridges the gap between sports and mainstream Indian entertainment, tapping into his enormous fan base and inspiring a new generation. "Honored to stand alongside Conor McGregor as we create something truly historic for Indian sport," Shroff said. "This is more than a fight – it’s a global movement, and history is being written. Just like cinema, sport is a celebration of talent and skill, and Parag [Sanghvi] and I are committed to turning this into a landmark moment for India." His words resonate with the cultural significance of the venture, positioning it not just as a sporting event, but as a cultural phenomenon that celebrates athleticism and artistry.
The anticipation for the inaugural BKFC and BKFL team-based events is already building, with the first official competitions slated for 2026. Details regarding venues and fight cards are eagerly awaited and will be announced closer to the dates. This landmark entry of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship into India, backed by an unprecedented alliance of global combat sports leaders, Bollywood luminaries, and strategic business minds, is poised to reshape the entertainment and sports landscape of the nation, promising an era of unparalleled excitement and athletic spectacle.
