March 26, 2024
A flurry of thoughts probably crosses your mind when watching bare knuckle fights. It is one of those things you find yourself questioning their legality. Think about it; wouldn’t you wonder whether two people fighting with their bare fists (while stripped to the waist) is allowed? It is just one of those things you feel like you should be alert incase the local authorities come knocking.
A few years ago, one man dared to dream. The dream was to stage the first ever public bare knuckle fight since the 1800s. That man was David Feldman, the founder and president of BKFC. After years of planning and lobbying to acquire the necessary sanctions, Feldman finally staged the first official bare knuckle fighting championship in June 2018 at the Cheyenne Ice and Events Center. Two MMA veterans, Tony Lopez and Joey Beltran, delivered a blood-soaked and thrilling five-round match, the first of many. Even though Beltran carried the day following a unanimous decision, the real winner on that day was David Feldman.
You should know that bare knuckle fighting wasn’t legal even in the 1800s. Being able to stage such a fight publicly and with the approval of state regulators is tremendous. Let alone being able to bet on BKFC shows freely! That’s how big the win was for Feldman and other BKFC enthusiasts.
Before we go on and on about BKFC events and betting, let’s delve into the components that make bare knuckle fighting different. How is BKFC different from traditional boxing?
To some, bare knuckle fighting is just a typical fistfight between two people, whereas some identify it as a form of boxing. Regardless of how you look at it, you can’t downplay the fact that it is an archaic form of boxing.
The traditional boxing, where the fighters wear gloves, has often been compared to bare knuckle boxing. The obvious difference between the two sports is that in boxing the fighters wear gloves that fully cover their hands, whereas in BKFC fighters wear gloves or bandages that only cover their wrists and palms. The maximum protection for a typical boxer means that they emphasize on power and speed when fighting. On the other hand, a bare knuckle fighter has to focus on accuracy and preservation because their hands are less protected.
In the earlier days of humankind, men would fight to the death using their bare knuckles. The only thought that crossed the minds of the fighters was victory thoughts. That explains why those fights were combative and intense. As mentioned above, bare knuckle boxing has been reintroduced into the American sports industry and is fast gaining popularity. People certainly love the thrill of seeing two men or women going at it with their bare fists. It is arguably the best way to measure raw power and strength compared to other physical activities.
If you are encountering ‘bare knuckle fighting’ for the first time, you are probably thinking of ‘street fights.’ Maybe you are comparing it to barefoot soccer played in the streets of Brazil. Well, not to burst your bubble, but bare knuckle fighting slightly differs from typical street fighting. Whereas street fights involve utilizing various weapons to injure your opponent, bare knuckle boxing is more natural, with two people throwing hands at each other. The sport also has rules which prohibit certain tactics and techniques. One would argue that it is a refined and regulated street fight.
Considering how difficult it was for Feldman to get the relevant sanctions from the state regulators, the sport certainly has some special rules. One of the concerns of the regulators was whether the sport would guarantee minimum bloodshed and zero deaths. Even though it is an edge-of-the-seat sport, it can also be dangerous and fatal.
Here are the rules and regulations that govern BKFC:
Rules and regulations are always revised and amended as the entities or people governed by those rules grow. The same goes for BKFC; the sport is rapidly expanding as it gains popularity amongst sports buffs, hence the recent enactment of new unified rules.
The changes, as approved by the Association of Boxing Commission, introduce new aspects of bare knuckle fighting, including extended duration of fights, permitted & prohibited techniques, and weight classes. Introducing new rules aims to make the world’s fastest-growing sport more interesting.
The approved unified rules include the following:
You must first explore all available markets to find the most suitable ones. You can place several types of BKFC bets aside from the obvious overall winner. The options include:
Now that you are well acquainted with the BKFC betting odds and markets, the next step is placing your bets. How can you bet on your favorite BKFC matchup? NXTbets has partnered with several credible and legitimate sportsbooks to make your betting experience seamless. All you need to do is get to their sites, register, deposit your preferred amount, then place your bets!
As a new sport yet to peak, few sportsbooks feature BKFC odds. Nonetheless, amongst those that offer the odds, DraftKings stands out.
If you are a regular punter, then you definitely know all about DraftKings. The sportsbook is featured in approximately twenty states, making it one of the top sportsbooks in the US. It is known for its awesome and seamless Android and iOS app, fantastic bonuses, and competitive odds.
DraftKings offers odds for all BKFC events; this is something that not many sportsbooks do. The BKFC odds are incredible and feature all bet types from fight winners to over/under and method of victory markets. The best part about this sportsbook is that it features a free $1000 BKFC pool where participants win cash prizes just by providing correct answers before the featured bare knuckle fight begins.
The best place to start if you are a newbie in BKFC betting is by looking at the profiles of all the BKFC fighters. These are publicly provided on the BKFC website, where you will also be able to preview their upcoming events.
More often than not, people tend to bet on existing champions to win subsequent fights. But it is not always obvious that the champion will retain their title. Bare knuckle fighting, like other sports, is not exempt from the ‘element of surprise’ or the ‘unexpected.’ Sometimes, an underdog (as we have seen repeatedly in the sports arena) can cause a great upset.
There are no specific strategies that will guarantee a sure win. However, the following tips might increase your chances of winning:
Understanding the odds and the tricks that might work is not enough for a beginner to rack up wins from BKFC betting. Some other basic tips that will improve your chances of winning are:
The tips mentioned above, with the help of a little luck, will help you place strategic bets and maybe turn you into a massive winner!
The internet has revolutionized almost every aspect of life, and sports betting has not been left behind. The days of placing wagers by handing over actual cash to bookmakers and bettings are long gone. These days, you can bet on any sporting activity from the comfort of your smartphone as long as you have internet connectivity. There are numerous sportsbooks that offer online sports betting with a variety of betting markets.
However, the prevalence of online betting also raises certain legal and ethical concerns. Are there enough regulations to govern this complex area? How can the state protect children from gambling?
Online sports betting is an area that keeps evolving; the legal implications vary across different countries. There are countries where sports betting is illegal and can attract criminal charges. In the US, some states have legalized gambling on the Internet, whereas other states still prohibit betting altogether due to legal and ethical concerns such as potential avenues for criminal activities and underage gambling.
BKFC betting is legal in most US states and regulated by the respective state governments. As mentioned earlier, when Feldman first came up with the idea to introduce bare knuckle fighting shows, he had to lobby various state regulators to approve the new sport. In the process, the state regulators undertook to ensure that certain regulations were adhered to – including gambling laws. Most states in the US require bettors to be at least 21 years of age before engaging in gambling activities. BKFC betting, being a form of gambling, is regulated by the same laws.
One of the greatest ethical concerns surrounding any form of gambling is the possibility of addiction. Gambling addiction is a global problem, and sports betting is the worst when it comes to addiction since it appeals to the emotions of sports fans. Think about a situation where someone has placed a bet on his or her favorite BKFC fighter. This person will always be betting on the same participant as he or she roots for the fighter to win. The emotional investment in the fight is the major cause of addiction.
Match fixing is a problem that has plagued the sports industry for many years. The potential of match-fixing in BKFC events can’t be entirely ruled out. Coaches, fighters, and officials could be tempted to preempt the outcome of a fight so that they can win their bets. This will, in turn, greatly undermine the integrity of the sport. The BKFC organizers must ensure that proper measures are taken to prevent match-fixing and anyone caught engaging in the act should be heavily punished.
Nonetheless, the role that sportsbooks play in sports cannot be understated. You have definitely seen some of them featured as sponsors. If they can also promote responsible gambling and adherence to regulatory guidelines, then some of the legal and ethical concerns could be minimized.
The fact that you can place bets effortlessly from the comfort of your house, car, office, or anywhere you wish is a testament to the incredible technological advances. We all know that you had to go to a betting shop to bet on your favorite team or participant back in the day. But right now, there are many online sportsbooks with specialized apps and sites that enable you to bet at any time from anywhere!
In addition to the convenience, technology has also led to the introduction of numerous betting markets, promotions, and bonuses to motivate punters. That is not even the ebay of it yet. Did you know that you can place live bets using online sportsbooks? This allows you to assess the fights first before settling on one betting market.
Talking of assessing the fights first, technology has also brought artificial intelligence, data analytics, and complex systems that allow bookmakers to easily set competitive odds that accurately reflect the anticipated outcomes.
The fact that you can place bets effortlessly from the comfort of your house, car, office, or anywhere you wish is a testament to the incredible technological advances. We all know that you had to go to a betting shop to bet on your favorite team or participant back in the day. But right now, there are many online sportsbooks with specialized apps and sites that enable you to bet at any time from anywhere!
In addition to the convenience, technology has also led to the introduction of numerous betting markets, promotions, and bonuses to motivate punters. That is not even the ebay of it yet. Did you know that you can place live bets using online sportsbooks? This allows you to assess the fights first before settling on one betting market.
Talking of assessing the fights first, technology has also brought artificial intelligence, data analytics, and complex systems that allow bookmakers to easily set competitive odds that accurately reflect the anticipated outcomes.
According to evidence-based studies, social media advertising has made gambling more appealing, especially to young people. BKFC being a new sport, there isn’t much information to rely on for those looking to bet on their events. Other than predictions by experts, another popular way of researching and assessing the best betting picks is commentaries by different fan sites and accounts across various social media platforms.
More often than not, you’ll see some of those accounts also engaging in influencer marketing for different sportsbooks. The trend usually involves a social media influencer marketing a BKFC event by giving the participants’ profiles and records while at the same time mentioning a particular sportsbook and their odds for the two fighters.
There are two common challenges that cut across all BKFC punters:
There are not many future trends in BKFC betting, considering that most (if not all) sportsbooks have adapted to the technological advancements in gambling. This ranges from online betting to parlay events, loyalty programs, and live betting. However, one notable future trend that might be a possibility is the introduction of cryptocurrency as a payment method. It could be a stretch, but we can’t rule that out yet. The purpose is to promote privacy and security for BKFC punters while ensuring faster withdrawal of winnings.
Bare knuckle fighting is a thrilling sport that is becoming increasingly popular. It is not yet up there compared to sports like UFC, MMA, Wrestling, or even the traditional boxing, but there are signs of progress. If you are looking to bet on BKFC events, this guide offers you sufficient information and strategies on all you need to know about BKFC betting. Above all, ensure you adhere to the gambling rules and regulations and maintain responsible betting.
The strategies provided in this blog should be able to secure you a couple of wins. However, keep in mind that there are no set strategies that will guarantee you 100% success in BKFC betting.
Aside from the current champions we have listed in this blog, other BKFC fighters you should also watch out for are:
There are two instances when calculating implied probability when using American odds:
Negative Odds
Implied probability = negative odds/(negative odds + 100) * 100
Positive Odds
Implied probability = 100/(positive odds + 100) * 100
Where the outcome has not yet been determined, a ‘no contest’ will be declared, all bets become void, and bettors are refunded. On the other hand, if the market has already been determined, then the bet stands.
You can only bet on the total number of rounds in the fight, how the fight will end, or who will win the fight.
Algorithms or statistical models are just strategies developed by certain individuals who try to understand sports betting. But then the uncertainty of matches makes the fights unpredictable by individuals or any existing algorithms. ALT Sports Data recently secured a partnership to provide betting data and analytics on BKFC events; you can check out their statistical models.
