David Feldman on “Big Surprise” BKFC California Approval

BKFC has now been given the go-ahead to promote bare-knuckle boxing showdowns in the state of California for 2024. David Feldman spoke to me shortly after this news broke. Excerpts from our chat on BKFC California are below.

David Feldman

You were referring to it as almost a shorter-term form of licensure here. Has the commission specified what they need to see from the promotion and this next run of BKFC California events to guarantee a more permanent form of licensure in the state?

David Feldman said, “I think we just need to deliver on all angles. Meaning put up some really great fights, show that we’re able to adapt to the rules and regulations. Show that our staff is easy to work with and obviously putting a lot of butts in the seats. I think that’s a big, big part of this thing. If we can do all those things, I think it’s going to be an easy gesture for both of us to really just roll forward. Get these other three fights and then put it into a permanent license.”

I noticed in an article by MMA Fighting that there were plans for a card in the Spring of 2024 with a date and location still to be determined. Do you have even a tentative timeline for when that might be a little more locked down and specified, I suppose?

“Probably in the next two weeks but we’re looking at first week of April is our target. If the venues don’t allow that, it could be a week or two later or a week or two before. But that’s kind of what we’re looking for.”

BKFC California

California is such a vibrant State and a lot of great fighters have come out of there. You have intimated that there’s a likelihood Chad Mendes could very well fight in this coming year. But are there any other high-profile California free agents that you guys are discussing things with? I mean the Diaz Brothers come to mind right away. So anything going on there?

“Yeah, I mean not with those guys, but we have a huge name that we’re talking to. We’re trying to see if we can work things out with their current contract now which I do believe we can. I think it’s going to be a big surprise to a lot of people, and we should know that. That’s really the; that’s the determining factor on whether we go up more or go down.”

Dylan Bowker

I've been enamored with combat sports for as long as I can remember. I've hosted MMA talk shows Lights Out and Pure Fight Radio with featured guests like Jens Pulver, Roy Nelson, Miesha Tate, Mark Coleman, and more. I've been an MMA broadcaster for XFFC as well as BTC and have done play by play commentary on live pay per view on GFL as well as FITE TV. I've provided written, audio, and video content covering some of the biggest MMA promotions like Rumble in the Cage, Unified MMA, and King of the Cage. I've worked as a sports entertainment personality for over five years and given play-by-play or featured promotions of KSW, ONE Championship, TKO, and Invicta FC. My work can be found in the USA Today Sports affiliate MMA Torch, Cageside Press, MMA Sucka, and Liberty Multimedia.

See Full Bio