Historic event puts Michael "Venom" Page vs "Platinum" Mike Perry and Paige '12 Gauge' Van Zant vs Charisa ‘Bare-Knuckle Sweetheart' Sigala, as BKFC brings the fastest growing combat sport to the country where it was born, at the OVO Arena Wembley on August 20th
London, England (August 12, 2022)--Bare knuckle fighting will return to England for the first sanctioned fight in 150 years when Bare Knuckle Fight Championship (BKFC) presents the highly anticipated matchup of Michael "Venom" Page (MVP) vs "Platinum" Mike Perry at the OVO Arena Wembley on August 20. The event also features Paige '12 Gauge' VanZant's fan-demanded return to BKFC vs Charisa ‘Bare-Knuckle Sweetheart' Sigala. BKFC is the fastest growing combat sport promotion in the world and fans can watch globally on FITE. (Order now).
BKFC President and Founder David Feldman said, "Beyond being the first sanctioned bare knuckle event in London for over 150 years, this is really the first legally sanctioned and regulated bare knuckle fight in London history. And to make our UK debut in the famed Wembley Arena is really something else. The sport all started here in the UK so to bring it home but in a modern way is very exciting."
Page has long been regarded as one of MMA's biggest stars and most vicious strikers. The long-time Bellator standout boasts a nearly spotless professional record of 20-2, including 12 victories by knockout and is 2-0 as a professional boxer, with both wins coming by stoppage. With victories in six different countries and a flashy, one-of-a-kind fighting style, ‘Venom' enters the BKFC squared circle in his home country as an established global superstar.
At the press conference, officiated by Feldman, BKFC Ambassador and former two-division world champion David ‘Hayemaker' Haye, and longtime combat sports journalist Gareth Davies, Page said "I'm a walking Rubik's cube and a lot of people are too stupid to work it out. He hits hard but it's only a hard hit if it lands. I come out of fights unscathed. I'm a sniper, I pick my punches. I'm a walking highlight reel. It doesn't matter what I do, I'm going to make noise, I like to make noise."
Perry has rapidly developed into a force to be reckoned with in the world of bare-knuckle boxing after his dominant and memorable victory over Julian Lane in his BKFC debut at KnuckleMania 2 on February 19, 2022. Like Page, Perry's standout MMA record is very impressive. The former Ultimate Fighting Championship star has 11 of his 14 victories coming by way of knockout.
"I don't want to scare you away MVP," taunted Page at the presser. "I am grateful for the opportunity to fight you, you have a great name and you've had an awesome career. I am going to break your hands with my forehead. I am going to put pressure on you constantly and there's going to be nothing you can do to get me off you. I am going to be constantly in your face throwing heat."
Feldman added, "This will be one of the biggest fights of the year, MVP versus Platinum Perry is truly a fan's fight! Two guys that come forward and have power in both hands. Thanks to the Bellator Team for helping make this happen!"
Combat Sports Superstar VanZant has shown her true mettle in two previous fights under the BKFC banner, losing hotly contested close decisions to world title challenger Britain Hart and former UFC Star Rachael Ostovich. Also competing in All Elite Wresting, VanZant is a much written about global celebrity with her rumored fight in London already the talk of the tabloids for the past month.
Returning to action following an incredible battle against Angela Danzig on March 12, 2022, the fan favorite Sigala, fighting out of Rancho Cucamonga, CA, looks for her second victory in bare-knuckle action. In addition to the draw with Danzig, Sigala also holds a dominant victory over Jessica Link.
Feldman said, "Paige and Charisa are as tough and talented as they are beautiful which both have shown in their previous fights and we expect fireworks in this one from the opening bell."
Adding to the historical weight of this moment, Davies said, "The city of London holds a special place in the history of prizefighting and pugilism. For several hundred years, London was the pinnacle of the prizefighting circuit. If you were a champion in London, you were a champion of the world. Legendary names like Jack Figg and Daniel Mendoza fought their way into the history books in this city. BKFC is bringing the sport back to its spiritual home."
Also on the card: Welterweight contender Connor ‘Brum Town Bomber' Tierney vs Joe ‘Hitman' Elmore and Mick Terrill vs. Sam ‘The Hillbilly Hammer' Shewmaker.
Order BKFC27 London live from the OVO Arena Wembley August 20th now on FITE
Media Contact/Credentials
Bernie Bahrmasel
Double B Sports
Phone: + 1 773 592-2986
Email: Bernie@bareknuckle.tv
Twitter: @BernieBahrmasel
FITE media contact: owen.phillips@fite.tv
About FITE:
FITE is the premier global platform for live sports and entertainment offering the industry's marquee PPV events and SVOD packages with over 5MM registered users. FITE is available worldwide through its iOS and Android mobile apps, Apple TV, Android TV, ROKU, Amazon Fire TV and Huawei apps. In addition, FITE supports Samsung, LG, Cox Contour, Vizio SmartCast™, Foxxum, Chromecast, PS4, XBOX, ZEASN, Netrange, Vidaa/Hisense, VEWD, Netgem TV, Virgin Media, Comcast's Xfinity 1 and Xfinity Flex as well as 7,000 models of SmartTVs. Available online at www.FITE.tv. FITE is owned by TrillerVerz Corp.. Follow FITE on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIN, and Facebook.About Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC)
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) is the first promotion allowed to hold a legal, sanctioned, and regulated bare knuckle event in the United States since 1889. Based in Philadelphia, and headed by President and former professional boxer David Feldman, BKFC is dedicated to preserving the historical legacy of bare knuckle fighting, while utilizing a specifically created rule set that emphasizes fighter safety. BKFC holds all of its bouts in a revolutionary circular four-rope ring, designed to encourage fast-paced and exciting bouts. The patented BKFC "Squared Circle" contains scratch lines, based on the Broughton Rules which governed bare knuckle fighting in the 19th century, and which requires fighters to "Toe the Line": start every round face to face, and just inches apart.In BKFC, only those fighters who are established professionals in boxing, MMA, kickboxing, or Muay Thai are allowed to compete. The referees and judges are required to have extensive professional combat sports experience. All fights are held under the auspices and control of an Athletic Commission. Unlike other fighting organizations and combat sports internationally which claim to be "bare knuckle", but require wraps, tape, and gauze; BKFC is true to its word as fighters are not allowed to wrap their hands to within one inch of the knuckle. This makes BKFC unquestionably the truest form of bare knuckle fighting. BKFC is dedicated to not just creating the safest, most exciting, and highest-level bare-knuckle fighting organization in the world, it's also leading the way for a new fully recognized professional combat sport. BKFC is truly the sport of the future, which fully respects its remarkable past.
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
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Website: www.BKFC.com
