Bollywood superstar Tiger Shroff has joined forces with UFC legend Conor McGregor and producer Parag Sanghvi to bring the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) to India. The historic expansion marks a watershed moment for combat sports in one of the world’s largest athletic markets. Shroff has been appointed to the board of World League of Fighters (WLF), the official BKFC license holder, alongside McGregor, BKFC founder David Feldman, and prominent film producer Sanghvi. The first official team-based bare-knuckle league events are scheduled for 2026, introducing an entirely new format to the sport.
Table of Contents
The Historic India Expansion
World League of Fighters, co-founded by Rajesh Banga, Sunil Mathew, and Siraj Gill, is leading this expansion into India. WLF previously delivered a sold-out BKFC event in Dubai last year, described as the largest bare-knuckle fighting event in the Middle East. Now, the organization is poised to launch the sport’s first team-based league format—unprecedented in bare-knuckle fighting history.
Conor McGregor became a part-owner of BKFC in 2024 through his company McGregor Sports and Entertainment. His involvement in the India expansion signals serious investment and strategic ambition to develop Indian combat sports talent on a global stage.
| Organization | Key Information |
|---|---|
| BKFC | Fastest-growing combat sports organization globally |
| BKFL | Bare Knuckle Fight League (India format) |
| License Holder | World League of Fighters (WLF) |
| WLF Co-founders | Rajesh Banga, Sunil Mathew, Siraj Gill |
| Conor McGregor | Global partner and part-owner (since 2024) |
| Launch Timeline | 2026 (venue and fight card TBA) |
| Format Innovation | First team-based bare-knuckle league in sports history |
Tiger Shroff’s Role and Combat Sports Background
Tiger Shroff brings substantial credibility to the venture. Beyond his Bollywood stardom, Shroff is a legitimate martial artist and combat sports enthusiast. He owns and operates Matrix Fight Night (MFN), a professional MMA promotion he founded with his mother Ayesha Shroff and sister Krishna Shroff. Matrix Fight Night has hosted 15 premium events, producing UFC-caliber fighters including Anshul Jubli and Puja Tomar.
Shroff stated: “Honored to stand alongside Conor McGregor as we create something historic for Indian sport. This is a global fight movement, and this is history in the making. Just like cinema, sport is a celebration of talent and skill, and Parag and I are committed to turning this into a landmark moment for India.“
Strategic Vision and Global Impact
| Leadership | Position | Vision Component |
|---|---|---|
| David Feldman | BKFC Founder & President | “Purest form of combat sports to a nation ready for it” |
| Conor McGregor | Global Partner & Part-Owner | “India has warriors in its DNA—this is a revolution” |
| Tiger Shroff | Board Member & Martial Artist | “Global movement, history in the making” |
| Parag Sanghvi | Producer & Board Member | “Architecting global sports IP from India” |
| Rahul Saxena | CEO, WLF India | Building billion-dollar global brands |
The leadership team emphasizes India’s strategic importance. Feldman stated: “India has been on our roadmap for a long time. The scale, the energy, the culture—there is no place like it. With the leadership team we have assembled, we are bringing the purest form of combat sports to a nation ready for it.”
McGregor framed the expansion as transformative: “India has warriors in its DNA. What we’re building with BKFC and BKFL in India will be something the world has never seen before. This is not just expansion—this is a revolution.”
Parag Sanghvi added: “With WLF, BKFC, and Conor McGregor, we are not just launching a league—we are architecting a global sports IP from India that will command attention, talent, and fandom worldwide.”
Team-Based League Innovation
The India expansion introduces a revolutionary team-based bare-knuckle league format—the first of its kind in the sport’s history. Traditional bare-knuckle fighting features individual fighters. The team format promises to create franchise-based competition similar to traditional sports leagues, potentially attracting mainstream audiences beyond hardcore fight fans.
This innovation positions India as the incubator for bare-knuckle fighting’s next evolution. The team-based model could generate franchise values, sponsorship opportunities, and fan engagement rivaling traditional sports properties.
Combat Sports Market in India
India represents an untapped combat sports market of unprecedented scale. With over 1.4 billion people and growing interest in mixed martial arts, wrestling, and combat sports, the country offers enormous revenue and talent development potential. The Matrix Fight Night’s success demonstrates Indian audiences’ hunger for premium combat sports content.
WLF co-founders emphasized: “India is not just a market—it is the future of global combat sports. Together with BKFC, BKFL, and WLF, we are building an ecosystem that will develop Indian fighters, create global stars, and deliver world-class fight entertainment to millions of fans.”
Rahul Saxena Leadership
Rahul Saxena has been appointed CEO of WLF India. Known for building multiple billion-dollar global brands, Saxena’s appointment signals serious commercial ambitions. His expertise in scaling global brands positions the India venture to potentially become BKFC’s most lucrative market.
Previous BKFC Global Expansion
BKFC’s Dubai expansion in 2024 provided the blueprint for international success. The sold-out event validated the organization’s ability to execute premium events in non-traditional combat sports markets.
India’s larger population and growing fight fan base suggest even greater potential than Dubai’s already successful launch.
Read More: Avengers: Doomsday Teaser Shows Fantastic Four Meeting Black Panther in Wakanda
FAQs
When is BKFC launching in India?
The first official BKFC and BKFL team-based events are scheduled for 2026. Specific venue, fight card details, and event dates will be announced soon.
What is Tiger Shroff’s role in BKFC India?
Tiger Shroff has been appointed to the board of World League of Fighters, the official BKFC license holder in India. He will help shape BKFC’s growth and development in the Indian market.
Why is Conor McGregor involved in the India expansion?
McGregor became a part-owner of BKFC in 2024 and serves as global partner. He is heavily invested in international expansion, including the India market, as part of his broader sports and entertainment strategy.
What makes the India league format different?
BKFC is introducing the first-ever team-based bare-knuckle league format in the sport’s history. Traditional bare-knuckle fighting features individual fighters; the team-based model creates franchise-based competition.
Has Tiger Shroff previously worked in combat sports?
Yes, Tiger Shroff founded and operates Matrix Fight Night, a professional MMA promotion co-owned with his mother Ayesha Shroff and sister Krishna Shroff. MFN has launched UFC-caliber fighters like Anshul Jubli and Puja Tomar.
