Bare Knuckle Boxing is set to make a triumphant return to the British capital this weekend, bringing an explosive lineup of world championship action, elite cross-over talent, and high-stakes rematches. BKB 61 is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 14, taking over the iconic indigo at The O2 in London for an evening that promises to showcase the absolute pinnacle of the gloveless combat sport.
At the top of the marquee, former IBF featherweight boxing world champion Lee "Lightning" Selby continues his fascinating transition into the world of bare-knuckle fighting, taking on the undefeated and dangerous Ollie "The Death" Sentance in the super-lightweight main event. Meanwhile, the co-main event features a high-voltage world title defense, as fearsome Croatian knockout artist Marko "Marvelous" Martinjak puts his BKB bridgerweight world championship on the line against former British cruiserweight boxing champion Matty "The Assassin" Askin.
Beyond the championship bouts, the blockbuster card also marks the return of fast-rising star Amado Vargas, features a much-anticipated welterweight rematch between familiar rivals Aaron McCallum and Simey Doherty, and showcases a deep undercard filled with some of the sport’s most promising rising prospects. With doors opening and the action set to unfold in front of a passionate London crowd, combat sports enthusiasts around the globe are tuning in to see how these compelling storylines play out inside the squared circle, or "Trigon."
Selby Faces Undefeated Sentance in High-Stakes Main Event
The main event of BKB 61 pits boxing pedigree against raw bare-knuckle power and aggression. Former IBF featherweight world champion “Lightning” Lee Selby (1-0, 1 KO) is stepping into the Trigon for just the second time in his combat sports career, looking to cement his status as a legitimate force in bare-knuckle boxing. The Welsh veteran brings a wealth of elite-level championship experience from his storied professional boxing career, where he faced some of the finest fighters in the world and mastered the sweet science at the highest tier.
Selby made a remarkably successful and seamless transition to bare-knuckle fighting back in June at BKB 55, where he showcased his sharp technical prowess and ring IQ before stopping Antonio Rizzo in the second round. However, his second outing will present a distinctly different and formidable challenge.
Waiting for him across the canvas is Ollie “The Death” Sentance (2-0, 2 KOs), an undefeated Englishman who has wasted no time making a devastating impression in the bare-knuckle circuit. Sentance first turned heads with a clinical fourth-round stoppage victory over Nico Earwaker at BKB 51, before quickly following it up with an even more explosive second-round finish of Corey Healey at BKB 55.
The stylistic matchup has all the makings of a classic encounter. Selby’s world-class technical boxing skills, defensive mastery, and vast championship experience will be put to the ultimate test against Sentance’s relentless forward pressure, heavy hands, and proven finishing ability. For Selby, a victory would further establish his dominance and legitimacy in this brutal new discipline, proving that his elite boxing skills translate seamlessly without gloves. For Sentance, this represents the defining opportunity of his career—a chance to make a massive global name for himself by defeating a former boxing world champion on a major stage.
Martinjak Defends Against Askin in Co-Main Event
In the co-main event of the evening, the BKB bridgerweight world championship is up for grabs in what promises to be a ferocious collision of heavyweight titans. The division’s reigning king, “Marvelous” Marko Martinjak (13-2, 13 KOs) of Croatia, steps out to defend his coveted world title against former British cruiserweight boxing champion Matty “The Assassin” Askin (1-0, 1 KO).
Martinjak is widely regarded as one of the most terrifying and destructive punchers in the history of the sport. The Croatian champion carries a staggering statistical anomaly into every fight: he has finished all 13 of his bare-knuckle victories by way of knockout. His most recent defense saw him successfully turn back the challenge of former UFC heavyweight standout Ike Villanueva at BKB 51, further proving that he can dispatch opponents regardless of their combat sports background.
Standing in his way is Askin, a seasoned veteran of the traditional boxing ring who compiled an impressive 23-4-1 professional boxing record before deciding to test his mettle in bare-knuckle competition. Askin enters this high-stakes championship contest following a successful and explosive knockout victory in his official BKB debut, proving that he possesses the power required to compete in the gloveless arena.
The tactical battle hinges on whether Askin can utilize his extensive technical boxing background to maintain his distance, score points, and establish a comfortable rhythm before Martinjak manages to close the gap. Martinjak, however, is a master of applying suffocating pressure and throwing heavy, fight-ending shots from unconventional angles. If Askin cannot weather the early storm and establish his jab, Martinjak’s trademark power could very well lead to another rapid stoppage.
Vargas Returns Against Nulty in Super-Featherweight Action
The undercard features no shortage of star power, highlighted by the return of undefeated professional boxer Amado Vargas. Fighting out of the United States, Vargas is stepping back into the Trigon to take on England’s Callum Nulty in a compelling super-featherweight contest.
Vargas carries a legendary fighting legacy as the son of former boxing world champion Fernando Vargas. He made his highly anticipated BKB debut back in July at BKB 57, where he electrified the crowd with a sensational first-round knockout victory over James Springer. Vargas was originally scheduled to continue his momentum with a bout in Biloxi, Mississippi, in October, but that appearance was unfortunately canceled after his opponent withdrew due to a late training injury. Eager to make up for lost time and continue his rapid ascent in the sport, Vargas is laser-focused on delivering another standout performance on British soil.
His opponent, Callum Nulty, is looking to right the ship and get back into the win column. Nulty enters this matchup aiming to rebound from a tough first-round knockout loss he suffered at the hands of Ash Williams back in April 2025. With a partisan crowd potentially favoring the Englishman, Nulty will look to use the home-turf advantage to derail the Vargas hype train, while Vargas hopes to solidify his reputation as one of the most exciting young names in bare-knuckle boxing.
McCallum and Doherty Meet Again in Welterweight Rematch
Familiarity breeds contempt, and that adage will be put to the test when welterweights Aaron “The Baron” McCallum (9-6-1, 7 KOs) and Simey “The Smoke from Stoke” Doherty (10-2-1, 3 KOs) run it back. The pair meet in an immediate rematch following their fiercely contested split draw at BKB 57 this past July.
Both fighters bring a tremendous amount of bare-knuckle experience and deep divisional knowledge into the Trigon. Because they have already shared several intense minutes inside the ring together, neither man will experience any surprises regarding the other’s style, toughness, or power. This intimate familiarity is expected to breed an even more tactical yet explosive second encounter, as both fighters look to secure a definitive victory and settle the score once and for all.
The rest of the preliminary and main card is packed with divisional intrigue. Undefeated Ashley “Bash” Devenport (3-0, 1 KO) puts his perfect record on the line against Kallum Skhane (2-3, 2 KOs) in a crucial welterweight clash. In other divisional matchups, Dan Gittens squares off against Dan Cawse, while Luke Smith meets Paul O’Sullivan in a fiery super welterweight contest.
The preliminary portion of the card features several compelling matchups as well, including Carl Hobley facing Claas Lilie, Ashley Lloyd taking on Marcus Pond, and Kornelijus Sabaliauskas locking horns with Luke Fleming. Additionally, the event features a high-stakes women’s lightweight contest showcasing Hatice Ozyurt against Jackie Cataline, highlighting the continued growth and depth of women’s bare-knuckle boxing on the international stage.
BKB 61 is scheduled to kick off at 5 p.m. local time from the indigo at The O2 in London. Fans tuning in from the United States will be able to catch the main card live on VICE TV, as well as on Telemundo for Spanish-language audiences. Viewers watching from the United Kingdom and Ireland can tune in via talkSPORT. Meanwhile, fans looking to catch all the action from the preliminary bouts can stream the early fights live directly through BKB’s official TikTok account.
