Veteran global sports executive Loren Mack has joined BKB in a
landmark role. | 📷: Jonathan Wong/South China Morning
Post/Getty

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Bare Knuckle Boxing has made an important signing to its executive
team, inking veteran global sports executive Loren Mack as the
chief marketing officer and executive vice president of
strategy.

Founded by entrepreneur Mike Vasquez and former professional
fighter Dhafir “Dada
5000†Harris, Mack has joined BKB after his most recent run
with the
Professional Fighters League, where he served as senior vice
president of communications. BKB announced the hiring of Mack with
an official press release sent Wednesday morning ahead of its
upcoming show in Los Angeles on July 18. Per the release, Mack will
oversee global brand strategy and much more.

Loren Mack brings UFC, ONE Championship and PFL experience to
Bare Knuckle Boxing

“As chief marketing officer and executive vice president of
strategy, Mack will oversee BKB global brand strategy, audience and
content growth, broadcast and streaming marketing, live event
demand generation, and the marketing strategy supporting the
organization's sponsorship and partnership portfolio. As a member
of the senior leadership team, he will help shape BKB's enterprise
and corporate strategy while playing a key role in driving the
organization's long-term growth and value,†the press release
stated.

Mack has over two decades in combat sports, holding executive
leadership positions throughout his career with PFL, as well as
One
Championship and the
Ultimate Fighting Championship.

“BKB has achieved extraordinary growth over the past several years,
and we're assembling an executive team capable of taking the
organization to the next level,†BKB CEO David Tetreault said.
“Loren brings a rare combination of strategic vision, marketing
expertise, commercial leadership and deep industry relationships
developed over more than two decades in sports. His experience
building global brands and driving business growth will be
invaluable as we continue expanding our audience, strengthening our
partnerships, and continue to bring BKB to millions of fans around
the world.â€

A matchup pitting a former
Rizin Fighting Federation champion from Japan against a Chinese
135-pounder is confirmed for the
Ultimate Fighting Championship's upcoming visit to
Shanghai.

Kai Asakura seeks back-to-back UFC wins against Qileng Aori in
Shanghai

After a stellar run in Rizin, Kai Asakura
suffered back-to-back defeats at flyweight upon joining the UFC. He
then moved up to bantamweight and picked up his first win in the
promotion. Asakura will now look to compile a win streak when he
takes on Qileng Aori
at
UFC Shanghai on Aug. 29.

Aori enters the bout with a 4-5-1 UFC record. He has struggled for
consistency, with just two wins in his last six outings. The
33-year-old is coming off a TKO defeat to Cody Haddon
in May.

Meanwhile, Asakura will look to build momentum after recording his
maiden UFC win in May. He knocked out Cameron
Smotherman at
UFC Macau, marking his 17th finish in 22 career wins. Flyweight
is firmly in the rear-view mirror for the Japanese star after he
was submitted by former champion Alexandre
Pantoja and Tim Elliott
at 125 pounds.

This isn't the only bantamweight bout confirmed for UFC Shanghai,
as the Fight Night headliner features Umar
Nurmagomedov against Yadong
Song. Other Chinese fighters confirmed for the card include
former title challenger Xiaonan Yan,
veteran flyweight Su Mudaerji
and UFC newcomer Ce Liu.

Kai Asakura
has his next opponent 👀

He faces off against Aoriqileng at
#UFCShanghai on August 29th! Who wins this matchup?

[ LIVE on @ParamountPlus
] pic.twitter.com/g0IH69XInH

— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount)
July 14, 2026

Ultimate Fighting Championship star Conor
McGregor will host a new Fox Nation original series centered
around
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship beginning in 2027.

Fox Nation announced on Monday that it has partnered with the Bare
Knuckle Fighting Championship and BKFC co-owner McGregor for a new
original documentary competition series titled “World’s Baddest
Man.” The show is scheduled to premiere in the summer of 2027 and
will culminate with a live championship finale.

World's Baddest Man' brings Conor McGregor and BKFC together
for a combat sports competition

According to Monday’s announcement, McGregor will serve as the host
and a prominent on-screen presence throughout the new Fox Nation
series as fighters from around the world compete in a bracket-style
tournament for the right to be crowned the “World’s Baddest
Man.”

“Conor McGregor is one of the most recognizable figures in combat
sports, and we’re excited to partner with him on a bold new
original series unlike any other,†Fox Nation President Lauren
Petterson said in a statement. “World’s Baddest Man combines
premium documentary storytelling with world-class competition,
providing Fox Nation subscribers unprecedented access to unique
athletes while showcasing the grit, determination and heart
required to compete for one of the biggest prizes in combat
sports.â€

McGregor believes the series will further elevate BKFC’s
profile.

“BKFC has changed the game of combat sports, and I couldn't be more
excited to partner with Fox Nation and unleash The World's Baddest
Man Tournament,†the former two-division UFC champion said. “This
tournament will bring together the toughest fighters on the planet
in a true test of heart, grit, and willpower, and I'm proud to be
part of something that will set a new standard for what it means to
be the baddest man in the world.â€

The series will blend documentary storytelling with “elite
competition†featuring a diverse roster of Bare Knuckle Fighting
Championship athletes who will battle in a winner-takes-it-all live
championship event.

The series will be produced by Kiss Fly Productions, with McGregor
serving as one of the executive producers.

The search for the World's Baddest Man
begins. 👊🌎

A groundbreaking new BKFC tournament series is coming exclusively
to FOX Nation. The toughest fighters. One tournament. One man left
standing.

This is BKFC's World's Baddest Man.

Stay tuned for more.
#WorldsBaddestMan pic.twitter.com/jrjzeNdn3W

— Bare Knuckle FC (@bareknucklefc)
July 14, 2026