Bare Knuckle World Sees Significant Roster Changes to Open the New Year
Roster Movement Shakes Up the Bare Knuckle Landscape
The new year has brought surprising roster movement involving three prominent figures in the bare knuckle world, with championship implications across multiple promotions.
BKB Super Lightweight Champion Harry Gigliotti was recently announced by the promotion as set to defend his title against Estevan Partida at BKB 52 on March 28. However, just days after the announcement, Gigliotti stunned the bare knuckle community with a social media post revealing his departure from the promotion.
“Unfortunately, I’m stepping away from fighting with BKB and stepping down as the super lightweight world champion. I’ve got absolutely no hard feelings toward anyone at the promotion—great people, and I truly appreciate what they’ve done for my career in bare knuckle. I’ve been offered a new opportunity and I’ll have some exciting fight news to share soon. Stay tuned, and Happy New Year!”
That “new opportunity” was made official on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, when Gigliotti was announced as signing a multi-fight deal with BKFC. The move represents a major addition to the BKFC featherweight division, as the former BKB champion enters the promotion with momentum and name value.
While BKFC added a former BKB titleholder to its roster, the promotion also saw two ranked fighters depart in the same week.
No. 3 ranked bantamweight contender Bekhzod Usmonov and No. 3 ranked cruiserweight Murat Kilimetov were both released from BKFC at the request of their management. Usmonov was recently in the news as his family was involved in a horrendous automobile accident leading to his new born son and wife to undergo surgery. There has been a go fund me set up in their behalf.
Usmonov had not competed since February, when he scored a first-round knockout over former BKFC bantamweight champion Keith Richardson. That victory marked his second straight win and improved his bare knuckle record to 2–1, with his first two appearances coming on minimal notice.
Kilimetov, meanwhile, compiled a 3–0 record in BKFC, most recently earning his second consecutive first-round knockout by stopping Leo Bercier in June. All three of Kilimetov’s bare knuckle victories have come by knockout.
According to Jackson Wink Worldwide Sports Management, both fighters requested their release due to extended inactivity. Management also confirmed that Usmonov and Kilimetov have each secured new contracts with BKB, setting the stage for another shift in the promotional balance within the bare knuckle scene.
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