BKFC brings first-ever bare-knuckle event to Fenway Park on August 29

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship will make history on August 29 when it stages the first-ever bare-knuckle event in Massachusetts at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. The card is headlined by featherweight champion Kai Stewart putting his title on the line against New England native Harry Gigliotti.

BKFC president Dave Feldman called it “a can’t miss event on the national combat sports calendar” in a press release announcing the show. “The team at Fenway Park has been outstanding to collaborate with in what is truly a can’t miss event,” Feldman said, adding that the matchup between Stewart and Gigliotti represents “the toughest challenge of Stewart’s career.”

Feldman praised Stewart as “one of the most talented bare-knuckle fighters in the world” while acknowledging the difficulty of the assignment. Gigliotti, described as a Boston sports superstar, has been on a strong run over the past three years, making the homecoming bout a genuine threat to the champion’s reign.

The Fenway Park event continues BKFC’s strategy of expanding into high-profile, unconventional venues. The promotion has previously held outdoor events at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota and staged a card at a bullfighting arena in Spain.

The contrast with UFC is notable. UFC CEO Dana White has repeatedly stated his reluctance to hold events outdoors, even following the promotion’s well-received card at the White House. BKFC, by contrast, appears to be leaning into the outdoor format as a point of differentiation.

Additional bouts for the August 29 card are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.