BKB Eyes Middle East Expansion Amid Global Growth Push
DUBAI-Bare Knuckle Boxing (BKB) is targeting the Middle East as a key market for future expansion as the combat sports promotion seeks to build on its international growth, with senior executives identifying Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as natural destinations for future events.
Speaking ahead of BKB 57: Anarchy in the UK, which takes place at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday, BKB Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President of Strategy Loren Mack said the organisation’s long-term strategy centres on expanding its global footprint through new markets, broader media distribution and digital engagement.
Mack said the promotion had already established a presence across the United States and Europe and was preparing to expand into Mexico. He added that the Middle East remains a priority, noting that BKB previously became the first bare-knuckle boxing promotion to stage an event in the Gulf with BYB 16: Desert Brawl in Dubai.
He said the company viewed a return to the region as a matter of timing rather than possibility, pointing to Saudi Arabia’s growing role as a global destination for major boxing, mixed martial arts and entertainment events.
Bare-knuckle boxing has experienced rapid growth in recent years, attracting larger streaming audiences and increasing online engagement. Mack attributed BKB’s expansion not only to staging events but also to a broadcasting strategy designed to make the sport more widely accessible than competitors that rely primarily on pay-per-view and proprietary streaming platforms.
According to Mack, BKB’s events are carried by VICE TV in the United States and Canada, talkSPORT in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and Telemundo Deportes Ahora for Spanish-speaking audiences in the United States. He said the network of broadcast partners enables the promotion to reach viewers in multiple countries and languages through established television platforms.
Modern bare-knuckle boxing gained prominence following the establishment of the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) in 2018. Mack acknowledged BKFC’s role in bringing the sport to a wider audience but said BKB is seeking to differentiate itself through international expansion, digital innovation, talent acquisition and executive leadership.
A central element of that strategy is social media distribution. Mack said BKB 55 became the most-viewed live sporting event in TikTok’s history, setting records for watch time and audience engagement. He described social media as more than a promotional tool, arguing that it has become a primary platform through which younger audiences consume live sport.
Mack, who previously held executive positions with ONE Championship and the Saudi Arabia-backed Professional Fighters League, said BKB’s leadership team combines experience from across the sports and media industries to support the promotion’s international ambitions.
He also highlighted the organisation’s fighter roster, which includes former world champions and established names from boxing and combat sports. According to Mack, attracting high-profile athletes has strengthened the promotion’s competitiveness while creating new opportunities for fighters within the sport.
As BKB continues expanding beyond its existing markets, Mack said the organisation intends to pursue further international events, with the Middle East remaining a significant part of its long-term strategy as the region continues to attract major global sporting properties.
