Walter Finch
MARBELLA’S traditional glitz and glamour is about to get a splashing of blood and brutality when Conor McGregor comes to town in the autumn.
UFC legend McGregor, who is currently holidaying in Mallorca with his family, is the mastermind behind a headline-grabbing bare-knuckle boxing spectacle.
It will be the first time Spain hosts such an event, scheduled to take place at the Marbella Arena in October.
This groundbreaking event will mark a significant milestone for the sport in Spain, where it remains relatively unknown despite its popularity in the UK, the United States, Russia, and Germany.
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McGregor, in collaboration with the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), aims to introduce and expand the reach of bare knuckle boxing in Spain.
So, what exactly is bare-knuckle boxing? Think traditional boxing stripped down to its bare essentials.
The square ring remains, complete with its four ropes, and the fights are contested over five two-minute rounds.
While judges are present to score each round, most bare-knuckle battles are settled with a decisive knockout.
The lack of gloves translates into higher impact punches, significantly increasing the likelihood of a swift knockout.
However, this also comes at the cost of a greater risk for cuts and injuries to both the face and hands.
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While the full fight card is still under wraps, BKFC officials have confirmed some big names are already signed on.
One highly anticipated clash pits Argentinian fighter Franco Tenaglia, known as the ‘King of the Street’, against American Tony Soto, with the vacant lightweight title hanging on the line.
Alicante resident Tenaglia, a product of the respected Climent Club (known for churning out champions), is renowned for his technical prowess and fighting spirit.
He even shares training grounds with another rising star, Ilia Topuria.
Tenaglia solidified his bare-knuckle reputation last April when he challenged Welshman James Lilly for the European title.
Although the bout went to points, Tenaglia’s power was on full display with a show-stopping punch that sent Lilly reeling.
A victory over Soto in October is sure to further cement his legendary status in the bare-knuckle world.
The Marbella event is poised to raise the profile of bare knuckle boxing in Spain, significantly boosted by McGregor’s involvement.
The Irish fighter has recently become a co-owner of BKFC, adding star power to the promotion.
A press conference is scheduled for next week in Marbella, where McGregor and BKFC will provide further details about the event.
For now, combat sports enthusiasts have a new date to mark on their calendars: October 12, 2024.
