Tiger Shroff Joins Conor McGregor as BKFC Officially Expands into India
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) and Bare Knuckle Fight League (BKFL) are set to make their official entry into India, marking a major expansion into one of the world’s fastest-growing combat sports markets.
The India foray is being led by World League of Fighters (WLF), the official license holder of BKFC, co-founded by Rajesh Banga, Sunil Mathew, and Siraj Gill. Strengthening the leadership further, prominent film producer Parag Sanghvi and Bollywood star and martial artist Tiger Shroff have joined the board. They will work alongside BKFC founder and president David Feldman and former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor, who became a part-owner of BKFC in 2024.
WLF has already demonstrated its execution capabilities by successfully delivering a sold-out BKFC event in Dubai last year, described as the largest bare-knuckle fighting event ever staged in the Middle East.
Team-Based Bare-Knuckle League for India
The India expansion will introduce a team-based bare-knuckle league format, a first-of-its-kind structure in the sport’s history. The inaugural season will feature six franchise teams:
- Crushers
- Punishers
- Warriors
- Phantoms
- Gladiators
- Infernos
This format aims to transform individual bouts into a franchise-driven competition, blending combat sports with league-style storytelling and fandom.
Rahul Saxena has been appointed as CEO to lead the platform, bringing with him experience in scaling global brands and building sports properties.
Leadership Speaks on the Vision
Calling India a key pillar in the future of combat sports, WLF founders Banga, Mathew, and Gill said in a joint statement:
“India is not just a market – it is the future of global combat sports. Together with BKFC, BKFL and WLF, we are building an ecosystem that will develop Indian fighters, create global stars, and deliver world-class fight entertainment to millions of fans.”
Parag Sanghvi described the initiative as an opportunity to build a global sports IP from India, stating:
“This is where world-class storytelling meets raw, uncompromising sport. We’re not just launching a league — we’re architecting a global sports property with worldwide appeal.”
David Feldman emphasized that India has always been central to BKFC’s expansion roadmap:
“The scale, the energy, the culture — there is no place like India. With WLF, we are bringing the purest form of combat sports to a nation ready for it.”
Conor McGregor echoed the sentiment, calling the move transformative:
“India has warriors in its DNA. What we’re building here isn’t just expansion — it’s a revolution.”
Tiger Shroff, joining McGregor on the board, highlighted the cultural significance of the project:
“Honored to stand alongside Conor McGregor as we create something historic for Indian sport. This is more than a fight — it’s a global movement.”
Launch Timeline
The first official BKFC and BKFL team-based events in India are scheduled for 2026, with venues and fight card details to be announced in the coming months.
Source: Variety Magazine
