Conor McGregor believes Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship is entering its next phase after Knucklemania VI drew record numbers in Philadelphia.
The former UFC champion, who holds an ownership stake in BKFC, took to X after Saturday’s show at the Xfinity Mobile Arena to hail the promotion’s latest milestone. “Knucklemania VI in Philly this weekend was nothing short of historic, with over 18,000 fans in the building and more than 2 million tuning in worldwide,” McGregor wrote, calling it an “all-around local record for combat sports” before adding that BKFC is “only getting started” and promising “a lot more to come.”
His message followed a sold-out event that continued the company’s habit of turning its flagship card into a statement night in a key fight market.
Conor McGregor hails record Knucklemania VI crowd and says BKFC is only getting started
BKFC president David Feldman said 18,217 fans packed into the arena, confirming that the show broke the promotion’s own modern Philadelphia combat sports attendance record set last year. In 2025, Knucklemania V at the Wells Fargo Center brought in 17,762 fans, which at the time topped any MMA or boxing gate in the city’s recent history, including UFC and major boxing title events. The jump of more than 400 fans year-on-year underlines BKFC’s steady growth in a market with a long history for boxing and mixed martial arts.
Inside the ring, Knucklemania VI leaned on familiar names to anchor the card. Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski defeated ex-UFC contender Ben Rothwell to capture the BKFC heavyweight title in the main event, with the fight halted in the third round because of cuts. In the co-main, Lorenzo Hunt knocked out Dave Mundell, adding another finish to a resume that has made him one of BKFC’s most featured fighters. Local coverage highlighted the atmosphere in the building as much as the results, with Feldman describing Philadelphia fans as “different” and crediting their energy for the feel of the night.
McGregor’s public backing comes after he repeatedly amplified BKFC’s numbers over the past two years, including his praise for Knucklemania V’s record-setting attendance. With the promotion now beating its own benchmark in the same city and reporting more than 2 million viewers worldwide for Knucklemania VI, his claim that BKFC is “only just getting started.”
