In a candid interview with MMA Fighting, former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold has voiced sharp criticism of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), despite the promotion’s rising popularity under Conor McGregor’s partial ownership. Rockhold’s scathing remarks come after his brutal experience in the ring and coincide with his call for creating a new combat sport format that he believes would be more technical and legitimate.
Luke Rockhold’s scathing assessment of bare-knuckle fighting
Following his devastating loss to Mike Perry at BKFC 41, Luke Rockhold has not minced words about his thoughts on bare-knuckle boxing. The former UFC champion, who suffered significant dental trauma during the bout, labeled BKFC as a “dumba– sport” in his conversation with MMA Fighting.
“It couldn’t be any worse than bare-knuckle boxing,” Rockhold stated bluntly. His criticism centered primarily on what he perceives as fundamental flaws in the sport’s structure and mechanics. “You can’t gauge distance in bare-knuckle boxing,” he explained, highlighting how the metal ropes and confined space create an environment where technical fighting becomes secondary to raw punishment.
Rockhold’s experience seems to have left him disillusioned with the format. “Who’s willing to lose their face for f—— nothing?” he questioned rhetorically, emphasizing his belief that the risk-reward ratio in BKFC is severely imbalanced for fighters.
The timing of these comments is particularly notable as they come during a period of substantial growth for BKFC. Since Conor McGregor became a part-owner in 2024, the promotion has experienced significant expansion, partly due to his marketing efforts and the influx of former UFC talents like:
- Mike Perry
- Eddie Alvarez
- Chad Mendes
While these fighters have enjoyed career resurgences under the BKFC banner, Rockhold’s experience stands in stark contrast, suggesting that the promotion’s rising profile doesn’t necessarily translate to a positive experience for all participants.
Proposal for bare-knuckle kickboxing as an alternative combat format
Rather than simply criticizing BKFC, Rockhold has proposed what he believes would be a superior combat sport alternative. “I would do bare-knuckle kickboxing,” he declared, suggesting this format would incorporate more technique while maintaining the raw appeal of bare-knuckle combat.
Rockhold appears convinced that this hybrid approach would address many of the shortcomings he identified in traditional bare-knuckle boxing. “Bare-knuckle kickboxing is actually something with technique to it,” he explained, implying that the addition of kicks would create more distance management options and tactical depth.
The former champion even went so far as to challenge Mike Perry to a rematch under these proposed rules, confidently stating, “I would rematch Mike Perry and put him to sleep.” This challenge suggests Rockhold believes the inclusion of his full skill set would dramatically change the outcome of their previous encounter.
Combat sports experts have noted that such a format could potentially bridge the gap between traditional kickboxing and the growing bare-knuckle scene. The table below illustrates how bare-knuckle kickboxing might compare to existing combat sports:
| Combat Sport | Striking Tools | Gloves | Distance Management | Technical Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Boxing | Punches only | Padded gloves | Medium | Medium |
| BKFC | Punches only | None | Low | Low |
| Kickboxing | Punches and kicks | Padded gloves | High | High |
| Proposed Bare-Knuckle Kickboxing | Punches and kicks | None | High | High |
From octagon to boxing ring: Rockhold’s next combat venture
While criticizing BKFC and proposing new combat formats, Luke Rockhold isn’t stepping away from fighting altogether. The former UFC middleweight champion has announced his upcoming boxing match against another former UFC star, Darren Till, scheduled for August 30, 2025, at Misfits x DAZN X Series 22 in Manchester.
This boxing match represents yet another combat sports transition for Rockhold, who has already competed in UFC, BKFC, grappling events, and Karate Combat since losing his final three UFC bouts. His willingness to explore different combat sports formats underscores his frustration with BKFC specifically, rather than combat sports as a whole.
The matchup with Till is particularly intriguing given both fighters’ trajectories. Rockhold achieved championship status in the UFC, while Till was once touted as a future star but never quite reached the heights expected of him. Their careers have followed different paths but have converged in this boxing match, with both men seeking to establish themselves in yet another combat discipline.
Rockhold has indicated that an impressive performance against Till could lead to more high-profile boxing opportunities, suggesting that his combat sports journey is far from over. At the same time, his continued exploration of different formats lends credibility to his critique of BKFC and his call for innovation in combat sports.
The evolving landscape of combat sports
Rockhold’s criticism of BKFC and his call for new combat sport formats reflects broader shifts in the combat sports ecosystem. The proliferation of specialized promotions has created a marketplace where fighters have more options than ever before, but quality and fighter safety vary significantly.
McGregor’s investment in BKFC exemplifies how former fighters are increasingly becoming stakeholders in the business side of combat sports. This trend has accelerated the growth of alternative fighting formats, sometimes prioritizing spectacle over technical merit or athlete welfare.
The growing number of combat sports crossovers has also blurred the lines between disciplines. Fighters regularly transition between MMA, boxing, kickboxing, and specialized formats like BKFC, creating a complex landscape where expertise in multiple disciplines is increasingly valuable.
Whether Rockhold’s proposed bare-knuckle kickboxing format gains traction remains to be seen, but his critique highlights important questions about innovation, fighter safety, and technical merit in emerging combat sports. As veterans like Rockhold continue to voice their experiences and concerns, the combat sports landscape will likely continue to evolve in response to both market forces and fighter advocacy.
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