Paulie Malignaggi Set for Bare-Knuckle Return with BKB

Former world boxing champion Paulie Malignaggi is stepping back into the ring — but this time, once again, without gloves. At 44 years old, the Brooklyn native has signed a three-fight deal with BKB (Bare Knuckle Boxing), marking a dramatic return to combat sports after nearly four years away from action.

Malignaggi's bare-knuckle debut for BKB is scheduled for September 6 in Bristol, England, where he will compete in the super welterweight division. The event will be his second foray into the world of bare-knuckle fighting, following his 2019 outing with BKFC, where he lost a controversial unanimous decision to UFC veteran Artem Lobov.

That bout became one of the most highly discussed bare-knuckle matchups in recent memory, largely fueled by Malignaggi’s longstanding feud with UFC star Conor McGregor. The animosity dated back to a heated sparring session before McGregor’s 2017 boxing match with Floyd Mayweather Jr. After tensions escalated, McGregor — still under UFC contract — couldn’t legally face Malignaggi in the ring, but Lobov stepped in to settle the score on his friend’s behalf. The fight ended in Lobov’s favor, and Malignaggi quietly exited bare-knuckle competition.

Fast forward to 2025, and Malignaggi is ready to take another swing at the sport — this time under the BKB banner, where he previously worked as a commentator. Having traded the microphone for mouthguards, the former two-division world champion is determined to reestablish himself by climbing the ranks rather than demanding instant stardom.

“I could easily use my position to jump right back into a title fight. But you know what? That’s not what I’m going to do,” Malignaggi said in a press release.“I respect the fighters too much. Here at BKB, there’s really good contenders in the super welterweight division. I know that when this announcement gets around to the contenders, they’re all going to want a piece of me. I want to fight one of those top contenders and earn my spot. I don’t want to jump the line. I still got the goods and I’m chasing that title.”

Malignaggi last secured a win in a professional boxing match in 2016. Since retiring, he has worked as a highly regarded analyst, offering insights ringside for major networks and promotions, including his commentary role at BKB. His decision to return to active competition reflects both his passion for the sport and his desire to prove that he still has what it takes to compete at a high level.

The road ahead won’t be easy. BKB features a deep pool of seasoned bare-knuckle fighters who will be eager to welcome (and test) Malignaggi. But with his technical skills, boxing IQ, and renewed motivation, he could become one of the promotion’s biggest attractions.