IBA Bare Knuckle to make historic United States debut in Miami – IBA
IBA Bare Knuckle is set to make its highly anticipated debut in the United States on 18 July 2026, with a flagship showcase at the James L. Knight Center in Miami, Florida.
Representing a significant milestone in the league’s rapid global expansion, the event will feature MMA legend Jon “Bones” Jones as the official ambassador and host for the evening, further reinforcing the international status of the platform.
IBA Bare Knuckle aims to bring together elite athletes from various combat sports disciplines, champions from multi-sport backgrounds, world-class coaches, and prominent combat sports personalities onto a single unified global stage.
Since its inception in 2025, IBA Bare Knuckle has experienced exponential growth. It has successfully staged four major events in the CIS region, generating widespread international engagement, selling out venues, and accumulating more than 500 million digital views and engagements across its media platforms. The latest iteration, IBA Bare Knuckle 4, which was headlined by combat sports superstar Yoel Romero, achieved a breakout performance with over 120 million views and interactions worldwide.
The upcoming Miami event brings this significant momentum directly into the American market. The premium fight night at the James L. Knight Center will blend elite bare-knuckle competition with high-end sports entertainment, capturing the unique energy of Miami.
Chris Roberts OBE, IBA Secretary General and CEO, expressed his confidence in the significance of hosting the event in the USA: “Our entry into the United States represents a pivotal moment in the global expansion of the IBA. We are not just bringing a world-class sport entertainment platform to Miami; we are establishing a sustainable pipeline for elite combat sports athletes on a truly international scale. The American market has an immense appetite for high-calibre, authentic combat sport events, and IBA Bare Knuckle is ready to deliver exactly that.”
The US debut signals IBA Bare Knuckle’s global ambitions and its commitment to introducing its fighter-first model to the Western combat sports market. The organisation plans to steadily continue its international expansion throughout 2026 and beyond, with the Miami event serving as the primary launchpad for American audiences, athletes, media, and industry partners.
Further announcements regarding the official fight card, ticket sales, and fight week activities will be released in the upcoming weeks.