As the world of combat sports continues to evolve, few promotions capture the raw intensity of old-school fighting quite like Bare Knuckle Boxing (BKB). This weekend, the sport’s landscape could witness a historic milestone as veteran contender Scott "The Mute" McHugh prepares to step into the ring for what could be a defining moment in his storied career. Set to headline BKB 60 in Newcastle on October 10th, McHugh is on a relentless quest to capture his sixth promotional title. Standing directly in his path, however, is a formidable adversary: Rolando Dy, the pioneering fighter who etched his name in history as the first-ever Filipino bare-knuckle champion.
The upcoming championship clash carries immense significance, serving as the main event for BKB’s inaugural card in Newcastle. While McHugh has built an extraordinary legacy competing under the banner of bare-knuckle boxing, much of his previous championship success was forged inside the promotion’s traditional square ring. With BKB 60 introducing fighters to the unique environment of the Trigon—a triangular fighting space designed to maximize engagement and force non-stop action—observers have naturally questioned whether the structural shift might present a new hurdle for the veteran contender.
McHugh, however, remains entirely unfazed by the architectural change. Speaking in an interview with Bare Knuckle Bowker, the seasoned challenger dismissed the idea that the Trigon would alter his approach or diminish his comfort inside the squared circle.
"Yeah, it’s not really no different to me in there, it’s all the same," McHugh said regarding the transition to the triangular arena. "Obviously clinch, I’m good in the clinch. I’ve got footwork. I’ve got it all. It suits me that triangle. People forget what I’ve got in a background. I’ve got my Muay Thai boxing. I’ve done MMA. I’ve done it all, you know. So, this is no different to me and it suits me better. I’m ready for anything. So, just another day in the office for me this fight. He’s a tough kid, but we’ll see. We’ll see what he’s [got when he’s] in the trenches with me."
Throughout his extensive career across multiple combat disciplines, McHugh has quietly accumulated a wealth of experience that often goes overlooked by casual observers of the bare-knuckle scene. Because his modern career is so deeply entrenched in the brutal realities of bare-knuckle fighting, some fans and pundits tend to forget the breadth of his combat sports pedigree. Yet, McHugh boasts a diverse athletic background that spans several striking and grappling disciplines, including K1, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts, and hybrid rules.
Reflecting on his extensive combat journey, McHugh pointed out the striking similarities between his own path and that of his upcoming opponent, noting that both men have navigated the treacherous waters of high-level combat sports.
"Very similar, especially with our backgrounds and that," McHugh noted. "Obviously, he’s been in the UFC. I’ve had quite a lot of fights as well, do you know what I mean? So, I’ve not just done bare knuckle, I’ve done K1, Muay Thai boxing, I’ve done MMA, I’ve done hybrid, do you know what I mean? So, I’ve done quite a lot of glove fights and I’ve actually never been beaten in gloves, believe it or not. Think I’m 19 wins, one draw in gloves like in the boxing gloves, hybrid boxing. I’ve been about the block like [laughs]."
That deep-seated experience has given McHugh a pragmatic, clear-eyed view of championship-level competition. He understands the high stakes of stepping into enemy territory, particularly when fighting a reigning champion with global backing. Despite the competitive nature of the matchup, McHugh approaches the bout with mutual respect for Dy, even looking past the immediate violence of the fight toward potential future camaraderie.
"We’ve both got the same mindset," McHugh explained. "He’s there to finish me. I’m there to finish him. He’s thinking, ‘Oh, I’m the homeboy or whatever.’ England boy, they’re going to give me if it goes to judges, mate. So, it can’t go to the judges either way. From his point of view or my point of view. Do you know what I mean? That’s just how I see it. I’ve been here a long time, and I know the score. So, yeah, it’s going to be; I’m not going to say, but you’ll see. It’s going to be a good one. It’s going to be a good one. I love Rolando. Do you know what I mean? We get along. After this fight, we’ve even planned we’re going to go fishing in; I won’t mind going over to the Philippines as well… I’ve been to Thailand. But I want to go to the Philippines. So if he’s watching this, I hope you welcome me after this fight and we’ll go fishing [laughs]."
In an era where pre-fight trash talk and manufactured drama often dominate combat sports promotion, McHugh prefers to let his preparation speak for itself. He refuses to engage in baseless insults, emphasizing that the inherent brutality of bare-knuckle fighting leaves no room for arrogance or disrespect.
"Yeah, I don’t; listen, like I said, I don’t badmouth people, predictions," McHugh stated. "It’s until you get smacked in face first and you don’t have no predictions. But I’m confident, I’m very confident in what my abilities are and what I’ve trained for over the past years. I’ve just got better and better. So yeah, I don’t go talking st because I know this sport is a brutal game. You can’t go talking st to people. Do you know what I mean?"
Behind McHugh’s confidence ahead of BKB 60 is a meticulously structured training camp. Unlike earlier periods in his career when fighters often faced severe challenges with weight management and same-day weigh-ins, McHugh has modernized his approach. By bringing in a professional nutritionist who regularly works with elite athletes in MMA and the UFC, McHugh has dialed in his preparation to ensure he enters the ring in peak physical condition.
"Yeah. Well, again I didn’t know," McHugh recalled of his earlier fighting days. "I used to have to back then because it was same day, you couldn’t diet and that. But now I’ve got like a professional nutritionist now who does MMA fighters, UFC fighters, all that. I’ve got it all to a tee on this one. So yeah, I can do. I’m doing the; I’m not going to give too much information, but yeah, there’s different things now. I’ve got a very, very good team around me. So yeah, man, I’m all good to go."
Scott McHugh blasts “s**thouses” in combat sports who slag off bare-knuckle boxing
While McHugh remains laser-focused on his upcoming championship opportunity against Rolando Dy, the veteran fighter did not hesitate to address broader criticisms frequently aimed at bare-knuckle boxing by outsiders within the wider combat sports community. As one of the longest-tenured competitors still active in the modern bare-knuckle circuit, McHugh takes immense pride in his longevity and the pioneer status shared by a select few athletes who helped build the sport from its modern resurgence.
Reflecting on his place in the history of the sport, McHugh highlighted the diminishing group of veterans who continue to test themselves inside organizations like BKB.
"Yeah, like we’ve been about [James] Connelly, [Jimmy] Sweeney," McHugh noted. "Yeah, we’re all still active. We all started. Well, Jimmy started a long time before me, but I’m one of; I wouldn’t say the originals, but you know, I’m up there. I’m still here. I think it’s only me and Connelly and Marko [Martinjak] are the only; and [Dan] Podmore probably the only ones left who are fighting in the Trigon. Do you know what I mean? But again, it’s it’s good that Trigon. I like it. You can have a fight and it brings a dog out in you."
However, McHugh’s respect for his fellow pioneers stands in stark contrast to his sharp disdain for critics who sit safely on the sidelines and disparage bare-knuckle boxing without ever stepping through the ropes. Never one to mince words, McHugh offered a blunt assessment of those who attempt to diminish the legitimacy or bravery required to compete in the discipline.
"A lot of s**thouses who are all scared of the sport," McHugh said of the critics. "That’s what it is or wouldn’t dare to do it. Slagging it off. That’s slagging it off. You know why? Cuz they haven’t done it this, so. Cuz you ain’t got balls to do it."
That same unflinching attitude defines his outlook heading into Saturday night. Aware that Dy will come forward looking to secure a definitive stoppage, McHugh is equally prepared to absorb whatever punishment comes his way. Ultimately, the veteran contender believes that his unwavering resilience and exceptional durability will be the deciding factors as he attempts to add yet another championship belt to his remarkable collection.
"Just confidence, mate," McHugh concluded. "Like listen, I’m not saying too much, you know? I know my capability and I know what round and do you know what I mean? I just; I’m ready anyway. He’s ready for me. He’ll probably; he’s probably thinking, ‘Oh, he’s going to have to knock me out.’ But you’re going to have to use a sledgehammer to knock me out. But time will tell, won’t it? We see who’s got the best chin in there and I’ve got a good chin."
