Los Angeles, California, USA – March 5, 2026 – BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing, the world’s leading and fastest-growing professional bare knuckle organization, today announced the landmark signing of boxing legend Victor Ortiz (33-7-3) in a multi-fight, multi-year agreement. The former WBC welterweight world champion and crossover star from Dancing With The Stars, Sylvester Stallone’s Expendables, and Hawaii Five-0 will bring his explosive power, championship pedigree, and fan-favorite charisma to the bare knuckle trigon, making his highly anticipated debut in the coming months as he targets BKB world championship glory.

This landmark signing underscores the surging momentum of BKB, which continues to draw decorated gloved boxers and stage high-stakes, action-packed events. The promotion has welcomed stars like Olympic gold medalist and former multi-weight world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa and former world champion Lee Selby to the bare knuckle ranks, while Paulie Malignaggi enjoyed a hugely successful transition, delivering a thrilling Fight of the Night performance in his return at BKB 47 against Tyler Goodjohn. Building on that excitement, Malignaggi is now set to challenge reigning champion Rolando Dy for the BKB Super Welterweight World Championship in Manchester on Saturday, May 16, 2026, further elevating BKB’s rising profile, expanding roster of elite talent, and relentless progression as one of the most disruptive forces in combat sports.

Victor Ortiz, known as “Vicious,” captured the WBC welterweight title in 2011 with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Andre Berto and successfully challenged the elite at 147 pounds, including his memorable showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr. His professional career from 2004 to 2022 produced an impressive record of 33 wins (25 by KO), 7 losses, and 3 draws, cementing his status as one of America’s most exciting and accomplished fighters. Beyond the ring, Ortiz gained widespread popularity as a contestant on Dancing With The Stars, and appearances on the big and small screens allowing him to transcend the sport, showcasing his athleticism, personality, and talent to a broader audience.

Ortiz’s move to BKB is driven by his respect for the promotion’s explosive growth, top-tier production, and the unforgiving intensity of bare knuckle competition. Ready to unleash his aggressive style without gloves, he sees BKB as the ideal stage to add a new chapter to his legacy in the rawest form of boxing.

Former WBC World Champion, Victor Ortiz, said: “I’ve accomplished so much in gloved boxing – from winning a world title to battling the best in the world. Now, bare knuckle is the next challenge. It’s the purest, most intense version of the sport, and I’m pumped to bring my power, heart, and experience to BKB. I’m coming to win another world title and prove I’ve still got it. All glory to Jesus Christ.”

Mike Vazquez, Founder of BKB Bare Knuckle, said: “Victor Ortiz is a true legend with a world-class resume and star power that transcends boxing. We’re thrilled to welcome him to our roster. His knockout power and championship drive will electrify the trigon. With fighters like Gamboa and Malignaggi paving the way for elite crossovers, Victor’s signing proves BKB is the destination for icons chasing new greatness.”

David Tetreault, CEO of BKB Bare Knuckle, said: “I’ve known Victor since my days running the table at Golden Boy. Victor Ortiz is a massive coup for our organization. His world title experience, devastating power, and crossover appeal make this an incredible addition. We’re excited to see him pursue bare knuckle dominance alongside our expanding lineup of world-class fighters. Bringing a fighter of Victor’s calibre to BKB shows just why we are the leading force right now in Bare Knuckle Boxing.”

Ortiz joins an elite and rapidly growing roster of more than 200 fighters from over 30 countries, highlighting BKB’s magnetic pull for boxing’s biggest names seeking the ultimate test in the most primal combat sport. More major announcements are coming as BKB maintains its meteoric rise.

From its origins in 2015 as BYB Extreme Fighting Series, founded by MMA pioneer Dhafir “Dada 5000” Harris and Mike Vazquez, BKB has transformed bare knuckle boxing into a regulated, globally broadcast powerhouse through strategic acquisitions, including the original UK-based BKB in 2021 and Bad To The Bone in 2025, and a fighter-first philosophy that emphasizes athlete welfare and opportunity. Landmark broadcast partnerships with talkSPORT (UK and Ireland), VICE (US and Canada), and Telemundo (Spanish-language in the US) have delivered live events to millions worldwide.

Details on Ortiz’s debut fight and upcoming events will be announced soon. Fans can visit www.bkbbareknuckle.com and follow @bkbbareknuckle for the latest news and information.

Las Vegas – UFC^® today announced that former UFC and WEC^® bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame’s Modern Wing as a member of the Class of 2026. The 2026 UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place this summer. 

“Dominick Cruz is one of the greatest bantamweights in combat sports history,” said UFC President & CEO Dana White. “Dominick was an amazing athlete who set the standard for bantamweights, and it will be an honor to induct him into the UFC Hall of Fame this summer.”

Cruz will enter the UFC Hall of Fame as the 17^th member of the Modern Wing. The Modern Era category includes athletes who turned pro on or after November 17, 2000, when the first UFC event under the unified rules of MMA was held. Other requirements include a minimum age of 35 or those who have been retired for one year or more.

A veteran of 28 fights during his 17-year professional MMA career, Cruz compiled a record of 24-4 (14-2 UFC / WEC), earning notable victories over UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber, former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson, former UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw, and former WEC bantamweight champion Brian Bowles.

Cruz made his professional MMA debut on January 29, 2005, defeating his opponent via split decision. He would win his first nine fights across various MMA promotions, before facing future UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber for the WEC featherweight title in the co-main event of WEC^® 26: CONDIT vs. ALESSIO, which took place on March 24, 2007. 

Cruz would lose his WEC debut to via first round submission but bounce back one year later with a first-round victory in another promotion. Following his victory, Cruz would rejoin WEC and win his next four fights in the bantamweight division to earn his second title fight with the promotion against the undefeated champion, Brian Bowles, in the main event of WEC 47.

WEC^® 47: BOWLES vs. CRUZ took place on March 6, 2010, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, and served as Cruz’s first professional main event. Cruz set the pace from the opening bell, using his speed and elevated movement to connect on several punches and low kicks to win the first round. 

Cruz continued his dominance of the fight in the second round, striking Bowles with a series of punch and low kick combinations to counter the champions attacks. After the winning the second round, Cruz was declared the winner and new WEC bantamweight champion, as Bowles was unable to continue due to a broken right hand.

Cruz would win his next seven fights over six years, defending the WEC bantamweight title two times and becoming the inaugural UFC bantamweight champion by defeating Scott Jorgensen in the co-main event of WEC^® 53: HENDERSON vs. PETTIS. 

WEC 53 was the final event of the promotion before merging with UFC and the only time a UFC title fight occurred during a non-UFC event.

After losing the UFC bantamweight title to Cody Garbrandt in the co-main event of UFC^® 207: NUNES vs. ROUSEY, Cruz would win two of his final four fights. Cruz retired in February 2025, two and a half years after his last fight, where he lost to former UFC bantamweight title challenger Marlon “Chito” Vera in the main event of UFC^® on ESPN: VERA vs. CRUZ.

Cruz enters the UFC Hall of Fame with an impressive resume that includes:

UFC:

• Longest title reign in UFC bantamweight history – 1,117 days
• Most title fight wins in UFC / WEC bantamweight history – 7 
• Tied for most wins in UFC / WEC bantamweight history – 14
• Second-longest fight winning streak in UFC / WEC bantamweight history – 12 
• Second-most takedowns landed in UFC / WEC bantamweight history – 55
• Fourth-most strikes landed in UFC / WEC bantamweight history – 1,590

Outside the Octagon, Cruz has been honored with several awards throughout his career, receiving Fighter of the Year by USA Today in 2010 and Comeback Fighter of the Year in 2014 by the Fighters Only World MMA Awards. A seasoned analyst, Cruz has also captured honors for his commentary work being named Analyst of the Year in 2015, 2016 and 2017 by the Fighters Only World MMA Awards. 

A native of San Diego, Calif., Cruz began wrestling in the seventh grade at Flowing Wells High School in Tucson, Arizona. He currently serves as a combat sports analyst and resides in San Diego.

To view Cruz’s UFC FIGHT PASS collection please visit: https://ufcfightpass.com/playlist/34506.

To see a complete list of UFC athletes and fights enshrined in the UFC Hall of Fame, as well as details regarding the UFC Hall of Fame format, please visit UFCHOFFAQ. For additional information, please visit UFC.com. 

Junior welterweight Rob Gutierrez Jr. (2-0, 2 KOs) of San Jose, California makes his U.S. debut this coming Saturday night, December 6th against Imer Lima (1-0-1, 1 KO) of Los Angeles, California in a four-round bout. 

Ali Benjamin and Elite Underdog Promotions present “Battle in the Bay” on BXNG TV from the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, California on Saturday, December 6th.