In an exclusive conversation with Sportsnaut, BKFC President and founder David Feldman weighed in on whether the organization would be interested in targeting UFC legends Nate Diaz or Jorge Masvidal with some of the cash they are expected to get from a major upcoming round of investments.
In November, Feldman revealed that he was headed to the Middle East at the end of the year to meet with interested investors about a huge round of investment in the promotion that has made the age-old sport of bare-knuckle boxing new again. Over the weekend, the BKFC boss explained why the company’s event on Feb. 2, BKFC 57, will be a very important night for the company.
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“I’m expecting one [investment] agreement tomorrow, the rest of the crew is going to be at our fight on Feb. 2 to try and get that [deal] done,” Feldman told Sportsnaut. “We’ll also have some really big people influential people in the investment world at that event. Things are looking really great for us.”
With the company’s bank accounts getting a boost soon, Feldman expects to add some big-name talent to the BKFC roster for 2024. Two fighters that have a profile that fits the brand and could be available are UFC greats Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal. Both are known for their boxing skills, unbreakable will, and ability to promote fights. All characteristics BKFC could certainly use to elevate the brand to new heights.
When asked about the potential of signing Diaz, Feldman admitted the promotion had talks with the 38-year-old previously, however, the long-time cage fighter was not interested in competing in a sport known for the facial cuts it creates during bouts.
David Feldman on Nate Diaz in BKFC: ‘This isn’t for him’
“It’s not for him, to be honest with you, but we had great conversations,” said Feldman. “He’s a nice guy. [His] team was awesome, great to deal with. It was just that he has a lot of cuts [from his career] and this isn’t for him. He doesn’t want to get cut up and that’s why he’s going to stay away from this right now. I would be very shocked if you saw Nate Diaz in [our] ring. Only because of that.”
Diaz is a 34-fight veteran of MMA and has a great deal of scar tissue around his eyes from a long and punishing career. That damaged tissue breaks easily and that is why bleeding is a near guarantee in all of his fights.
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However, while signing Nate Diaz is unlikely, the BKFC President welcomes the idea of working with Masvidal, a legendary fighter who also owns a bare-knuckle fight promotion of his own, Gamebred Bareknuckle.
“We actually had the first couple of Gamebred events on our app. I had no problem with that. I don’t see them as competition,” Feldman says. “I see them as helping grow the sport of bare-knuckle and getting bare-knuckle fighting out there. … Jorge Masvidal, I would love to have him.
“But I think he’s got a fight — not completely scheduled — but it looks like he’s going to fight Nate Diaz in boxing, and if he does, who knows if that’s going to be his last one or not. This is his sport so we’d love to welcome him here. Absolutely, that would be something we’d be interested in.”
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Jorge Masvidal announced his retirement from fight sports in 2022. However, several months ago he revealed he is willing to return to action, with rumors of a boxing bout against Diaz making the rounds. He also likely has bouts left on his UFC contract.
Masvidal and Diaz faced each other in the main event of UFC 244 in 2019. “Gamebred” won by third-round doctor stoppage due to, of course, cuts.