BKFC and RIZIN announce talent exchange partnership with bare-knuckle fights heading to Japan

Bareknuckle boxing is heading to Japan’s most prominent MMA promotion.

BKFC and RIZIN have formed a talent-sharing partnership with the intention of co-promoting full bare-knuckle boxing cards in 2025 under a newly formed brand. BKFC President David Feldman and RIZIN Promoter Nobuyuki Sakakibara announced the news on Wednesday in “MMA time.”

The first talent intersections have already been mapped. RIZIN Star Tatsuki Shinotsuka (1-0) will head to the United States for BKFC Fight Night: Pechanga on July 12 in Temecula, California and face Cary Caprio (2-1). Shinotsuka participated in a bare-knuckle RIZIN test on April 26, when he defeated Justyn Martinez (0-3) in 93 seconds.

Then, on July 28, BKFC will give back. At the Super RIZIN 3BKFC stars Tai Emery (1-1) and Charisa Sigala will fit. Additionally, John Dodson(1-4-1), who BKFC allowed to compete in MMA fights for RIZIN while under contract, will face a TBA opponent. The card will be a combined event, meaning MMA fights and bare-knuckle fights will both be on the same lineup.

The partnership appears to be similar to the one RIZIN and Bellator maintained for years prior to PFL’s acquisition of Bellator (although it remains to be seen whether that partnership will be maintained in the same capacity).

This story originally appeared on MMA Junkie