BKFC ANNOUNCES HISTORIC DEBUT IN AUSTRALIA ON SAT, JULY 19 SUPER HEAVYWEIGHT FIGHT HEADLINES BEN ROTHWELL VS. ALEX SIMON
BEC RAWLINGS VS. JADE MASSON-WONG
Perth, Australia (June 3, 2025) Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) The World’s Fastest Growing Combat Sports Promotion has announced their historic debut in Australia, BKFC-79 on Saturday, July 19 at the RAC Arena in Perth.
Broadcast globally on DAZN and airing live in the United States on Friday, July 18 at 9:00 p.m. EDT / 6:00 p.m. PDT, BKFC-79 is headlined by BKFC Heavyweight World Champion ‘Big’ Ben Rothwell, (4-0), of Kenosha, WI battling Australian Powerlifting Champion Alex ‘Godly Strong’ Simon in a super heavyweight non-title fight.
“On Saturday, July 19 I’ll show the entire combat sports world again that I’m the best big-man in bare-knuckle fighting,” said Ben Rothwell. “I’m going to smash Alex Simon just like I did Mick Terrill to win the title.”
“Ben Rothwell’s undefeated record is finished and I’ll show the bare-knuckle fans in Australia and everywhere in the world that I’m here to take over,” said Alex Simon.
Co-featured, #3 Ranked Women’s Flyweight and Australian Combat Sports Legend ‘Rowdy’ Bec Rawlings, (4-3), battles #1 Ranked Jade Masson-Wong, (3-2), of Quebec, Canada.
Also making his return to the squared circle, heavyweight Haze ‘The Huntsman’ Hepi, (1-0), of Queensland, Australia will face an opponent to be announced.
BKFC President David Feldman expressed his excitement about the expansion: “Australia has long been on our radar. The energy, the fans, and the venue are all perfect for showcasing BKFC. This isn’t just a fight night—it’s the beginning of a new era for combat sports in Australia.”
‘Australia has always been a key market for DAZN’, said Jared Kass, SVP North America, DAZN. ‘Since our inception we have showcased some of the continent’s biggest fights and best fighters and look forward to bringing this exciting new chapter in BKFC history to fight fans across the globe.’
The July 19 event will be exclusive for DAZN subscribers in the United States with other markets available via DAZN pay-per-view and Foxtel pay-per-view locally in Australia. Ticket information can be found at BKFC.com.
Later on Saturday, July 19, DAZN will broadcast the Undisputed Heavyweight Boxing Championship from London, England in a highly anticipated rematch between long-reigning champion Oleksandr Usyk and top contender Daniel DuBois.
This landmark event marks the first time Australia will host a BKFC fight night, delivering an adrenaline-charged spectacle unlike anything local combat sports fans have seen before. Known for its raw intensity, unmatched pace, and global rise, BKFC is revolutionizing combat sports—and now it’s bringing the action to one of Australia’s premier sporting venues.
BKFC’s explosive growth continues in 2025, with over 50 events scheduled across the globe. The Australian showcase is expected to feature a stacked fight card, with top-ranked international contenders and local fan-favorites battling it out in the squared circle—all bare knuckle, all action.
Further announcements on undercard fights along with fight week activities will be forthcoming.
Social Media
Instagram: @BareKnuckleFC
Twitter: @BareKnuckleFC
Facebook: @BareKnuckleFC
YouTube: @BareKnuckleFightingChampionship
TikTok: @BareKnuckleFC
Website: www.BKFC.com
Media Contact (Credentials)
Bernie Bahrmasel
Double B Sports
Phone: + 1 773 592-2986
Email: BernieBahrmasel@yahoo.com
Twitter: @BernieBahrmasel
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.
About DAZN
DAZN is the home of European football, women’s football, boxing and MMA, and the NFL (excl. USA). DAZN is building the ultimate sports entertainment platform, based on premium sports rights, world-leading tech, and multi-platform distribution. DAZN believes that fans from across the globe should be able to watch, read, bet, play, share, socialize, buy tickets and merchandise, all in one place, with one account, one wallet and on one app. For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance visit dazngroup.com
