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From Fighting Cancer to Running Multi-Million Dollar Company, Who Is David Feldman, the Mastermind Behind Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship

Published 11/23/2023, 7:09 AM EST

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Many people label boxing as one of the most brutal sports on the face of the earth. Enter Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, where the gloves come off, but the ferocity remains. The sport has taken the combat world by storm, shocking everyone with its entertainment value. However, the bigger question is – who came up with the idea? Well, it’s none other than David Feldman!

In the combat world, Feldman has made a name for himself, transcending personal adversities to create a combat empire that has disrupted the whole industry. However, his journey to the top wasn’t as glamorous as one might think. From battling cancer that threatened his life to running a multi-million dollar combat empire, here’s his journey to success. 

Early Years of David Feldman

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Feldman was destined to get involved in the sport of boxing, evident from his upbringing. The mastermind behind BKFC grew up in his father’s West Philly gym. Yep, his father was a boxing trainer, and in his gym, boxers slept in bunk beds, something Feldman got used to pretty quickly, becoming a self-fulfilled man. What’s more, growing up surrounded by boxers and the boxing aura, by the time Feldman turned 12, he was navigating the challenges of his life on his own.

First encounter

Despite his love for boxing, Feldman did not always stick to boxing his entire life. He briefly owned and operated a few bars but returned to combat in 2006. During this time in his life, the BKFC mastermind promoted combat sports as a whole throughout the country. However, something big was in the making for Feldman. It especially became evident when he met Canadian bare-knuckle boxer Bobby Gunn in 2010. If not anything else, the encounter sparked the idea for what today is BKFC.

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The start of something big

Even though Bobby Gunn isn’t as popular as Floyd Mayweather, his success in underground bare-knuckle boxing inspired Feldman. So, he set out on a journey to legitimize the sport that had been shoved into the shadows. However, it wasn’t easy; Feldman even faced discouragement from Dana White, the man behind UFC. Moreover, Feldman even faced rejection from state athletic commissions but found success in Wyoming. Back in 2018, the state hosted the first BKFC fight in America, marking the day as a historic event for the sport.

David Feldman: Struggles and cancer diagnosis

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If all his challenges in kickstarting the combat empire weren’t enough, in 2015, Feldman was diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma, but his cancer went into remission in 2018. What’s more, Feldman had blown all his money promoting combat sports. Not to mention his failed marriage, which further motivated him to create an empire that thousands of people are fans of today.

David Feldman’s journey from his life’s challenges to the helm of a multi-million dollar combat industry shows David’s resilience and determination in life. However, the bigger question is – what did you think about Feldman’s struggles?

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Watch This Story – Richest Promoters in Combat Sports History: Bob Arum, Don King, Dana White, and Six More 

(To know more about David Feldman’s fascinating journey, tune in to the ESFanCast, LIVE this Friday at 1:00 PM ET. We sit down with the renowned Businessman who Has Brought Bare Knuckle Fighting To The Masses)

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Written by:

Sudeep Sinha

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One take at a time

The first time boxing captured my attention, it was because of a line I heard in the film 'Rocky Balboa', a film surrounding boxing. The line went like this, "But it ain't about how hard ya hit. It's about how hard you can get it and keep moving forward.
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Edited by:

Snigdhaa Jaiswal