Former UFC stars set to take the stage in MMA and bare-knuckle boxing from June 20 to 22

The MMA and bare-knuckle boxing scenes are about to light up with an action-packed weekend from June 20 to 22, 2025. Former UFC warriors are stepping back into the spotlight, not just to relive glory but to redefine what toughness means in combat sports nowadays. From the cage’s calculated chaos to the bare-knuckle brawls that strip the sport to its rawest form, this trio of days promises clashes that blend experience with raw hunger. It’s a crossroads where seasoned veterans, hungry for unfinished business, and rising contenders hungry for the spotlight will collide across multiple promotions, including Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), PFL, BKB, and more. Baku’s historic Crystal Hall will witness some serious light heavyweight fireworks between Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree, kicking off a weekend rife with blood, sweat, and technical wizardry. Keep your eyes peeled—this isn’t just a gathering of ex-UFC gladiators; it’s a showcase of resilience and a harsh reminder that in fighting, the past is never far from the present.

June 20: Former UFC Fighters Return to MMA Action in High-Stakes PFL World Tournament 6

June 20 marks a serious reconnection with what’s best in MMA fight nights, spotlighting former UFC competitors hungry to prove their mettle again in the PFL World Tournament 6. The fight card sizzles with names like Jake Hadley, who’s riding a 1-0 post-UFC record, and Liz Carmouche, showcasing a solid 10-1 record since her UFC exit—a stat that’d make almost anyone else fold under pressure. Liz, the seasoned vet, arrives fresh off a TKO win that said, “I’m still the queen of grit,” after some tough runs in the Octagon. Meanwhile, the unpredictable Kevin Lee, with his submission wizardry, looks to make a statement after a win at Lights Out Championship 17 and a UFC career full of ups, downs, and enough drama to keep us all entertained.

Then there’s the explosive matchup in Baku between Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree, anchoring UFC on ABC 8 at the crystal-clear Baku Crystal Hall. Hill isn’t just defending a title; he’s defending the pride of the light heavyweight division, while Rountree plans to knock the crown down like a bad habit. If their gloves whiff punches like a bad Wi-Fi connection, fans might riot—but luckily, both have been sharpening stingers for months.

• Jake Hadley vs. Marcirley Alves – PFL World Tournament 6
• Liz Carmouche vs. Elora Dana – PFL World Tournament 6
• Kevin Lee vs. Gadzhi Rabadanov – PFL World Tournament 6
• Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree – UFC on ABC 8 at Baku

Fighter	Record Since UFC Exit	Next Scheduled Fight	Organization
Jake Hadley	1-0	June 20 vs. Marcirley Alves	PFL
Liz Carmouche	10-1	June 20 vs. Elora Dana	PFL
Kevin Lee	1-0	June 20 vs. Gadzhi Rabadanov	PFL
Jamahal Hill	Active UFC Champion	June 20 vs. Khalil Rountree	UFC

If anyone thinks these former UFC fighters are just circling the drain, they better watch closely. Liz’s 10-1 post-UFC run is like a ticking time bomb of skill and heart—don’t sleep on this queen of the cage. The tournament system keeps the tension high, and these night owls hope to stretch their reigns well past what the UFC ever saw. For those interested in the intersection of MMA grit and promotion drama, the narratives unfolding here deserve attention. And for that jab analysis and cage control breakdown, check the latest insights on Derrick Lewis’ UFC tactics, because both Hill and Rountree will need every trick in the book.

The Significance of PFL World Tournament 6 for Former UFC Men and Women

Horsepower matters, and the PFL is now every bit as much a proving ground as the UFC—if not grittier in its own right. The stakes are brutal, with format rules designed to test endurance, skill, and mental steel. Former UFC fighters bring star power but also a visible chip on their shoulders. It’s a buffet of styles straddling wrestling acumen, knockout power, and BJJ wizardry.

Take Liz Carmouche, dubbed a ‘queen’ with a killer instinct sharper than a guillotine choke. This fight could be her chance to slide back into the spotlight she graced during her UFC tenure, a rare gem on a card featuring fierce matchups across weight classes. If the history of former UFC vets re-entering the tournament circuit is anything to go by, the punches will be flying—and some elbows may glitter like disco balls.

• High stakes elimination format
• Comprehensive rules favoring aggressive fighters
• Former UFC names battle for PFL tournament supremacy
• Potential springboard back to major organizations like UFC or Bellator

June 21: UFC Alumni Clash in Bare Knuckle Battlegrounds at BKFC 76

June 21 is set to drop jaws with the brutal artistry known as bare-knuckle boxing. Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship’s BKFC 76 ramps up its roster with a lineup stacked full of UFC alumni ready to test their mettle sans gloves and with hands that look like they left the warranty back in Vegas. This is where precision meets pain, and former octagon warriors like Mariya Agapova, Jessica Eye, and Andrei Arlovski are throwing on the gloves of a different kind—well, not gloves, actually. Bare knuckles only.

Arlovski, the former UFC heavyweight champ, might just give his fans a bittersweet moment. After a split decision loss in his last MMA fight back in June 2024, Arlovski’s pivot to bare-knuckle boxing is either one last glorious hurrah or a new chapter of forging his legacy away from the cage’s padded walls. Facing off against the seasoned Josh Copeland, Arlovski enters the bare-knuckle realm with his chin still as solid as ever, but will his hands tell the whole story?

Mariya and Jessica Eye’s matchup is another lace-up for the spotlight. Eye, dragged through wars and showing the classic ‘scrappy vet’ style, meets the young and hungry Agapova, whose recent record since UFC exit is less than stellar but packed with potential flashpoints.

• Andrei Arlovski vs. Josh Copeland – BKFC 76 debut
• Mariya Agapova vs. Jessica Eye – Bare-knuckle boxing faceoff
• Willie Gates vs. Brandon Meneses – BKFC 76
• Peter Barrett and Randy Costa set to dazzle with violent striking

Fighter	Last MMA Fight	Record Since UFC Exit	Next Fight	Promotion
Andrei Arlovski	Split decision loss (UFC 303, June 2024)	1-0 (custom rules)	June 21 vs. Josh Copeland	BKFC
Jessica Eye	Unanimous decision loss (UFC 276, July 2022)	0-0	June 21 vs. Mariya Agapova	BKFC
Mariya Agapova	Submission loss (UFC July 2024)	0-1-1	June 21 vs. Jessica Eye	BKFC
Willie Gates	Submission loss (March 2023)	0-6	June 21 vs. Brandon Meneses	BKFC

Let’s be honest: bare-knuckle is not exactly a playground for the faint-hearted or the technically timid. With hands swinging free and the risk of painful mishaps skyrocketing, the stamina and grit on display will be nothing short of glorious. If you want to get the inside scoop on what these fighters might bring to bare-knuckle’s unforgiving stage, check out the latest signings and their fighting ethos. The key takeaway here? Adapt or get knocked out.

What Bare-Knuckle Boxing Brings to Former UFC Fighter Careers

Bare-knuckle boxing turned into a godsend for struggling veterans whose UFC rides have slowed or stalled. It’s barefoot gladiator grounds for those who want to flex a different muscle—literally. Punches have to land cleaner; protection isn’t just strategic, it’s survival. BKFC 76 will feature some of the toughest souls who proved their mettle in the cage now battling for proof that toughness transcends gloves.

Here’s the kicker. These fighters don’t just come into BKFC with MMA experience—they bring grappling, cage IQ, and all sorts of BS-free fighting street sensibilities. Which means if Arlovski can still swing his old-school punches, or if Agapova can translate her ground game into a striking masterclass, expect fireworks.

• Raw striking and endurance test
• Opportunity to reinvent careers
• Cross-pollination of MMA tactics into bare-knuckle striking
• Audience craving real, no-nonsense combat

June 22: The Rare Blend of MMA and Bare-Knuckle Bombast at The King Fight 1

June 22’s lineup at The King Fight 1 will be no less intoxicating. The event is a taste of the future where MMA and bare-knuckle boxing blur lines. Former UFC names like Luis Henrique da Silva and Antonio Arroyo are set to square off in MMA bouts, fighting amid a dazzling atmosphere that sets the stage for fierce competition and career resurrection.

Henrique da Silva, a fighter known for his knockout power despite a rollercoaster UFC history, looks to shake off recent losses with a win over Well Oliveira, while Antonio Arroyo, the underdog with a knack for surprising finishes, aims to keep the momentum rolling after a recent knockout splash. These two fighters carry the torch for a generation of fighters who aren’t ready to fade quietly, and their performances will be a litmus test for what the future holds beyond the UFC walls.

• Luis Henrique da Silva vs. Well Oliveira – MMA clash
• Antonio Arroyo vs. Slimmer Nunes – MMA showdown
• A night of fresh matchups with prospects from
• Invicta FC, Titan FC, and CFFC on the undercard

Fighter	UFC Record	Recent MMA Activity	Next Fight	Promotion
Luis Henrique da Silva	2-4 UFC	Knockout loss at KSW 88 (Nov 2023)	June 22 vs. Well Oliveira	The King Fight 1
Antonio Arroyo	0-3 UFC	Knockout win at BRTL 4 (April 2025)	June 22 vs. Slimmer Nunes	The King Fight 1

While Baku and Fort Worth get most of the headlines, The King Fight 1 quietly steals the show by bridging multiple combat sports worlds. The undercard is a fertile ground for talent from Invicta FC, Titan FC, and CFFC, spotlighting hungry athletes ready to catapult themselves into the big leagues. The ripple effect? A reminder that the octagon isn’t the end of the MMA tale.

For real insiders, understanding these shifting sands in the fight world means watching the moves of athletes like Luis Henrique da Silva and Antonio Arroyo, who embody the resilience and fire of true fighters. The constant churn in MMA and bare-knuckle boxing means history can repeat itself or surprise hardcore fans with unexpected comebacks and breakthrough moments. You want latest scoops on the wheelings and dealings? The insights on Fiziev’s tactical home advantage might give you a neat frame for how fighters navigate shifts in their career trajectories.

Browsing the Upcoming Talent Pool from Invicta FC, Titan FC, and CFFC

Fresh blood’s pumping hard in the undercards, with Invicta FC breeding female talent, Titan FC hosting hungry contenders, and CFFC pushing fighters who punch above their weight class. This tightly knit ecosystem fuels the entire fight circuit, and seeing these stars before they explode is like finding gold nuggets in a river. These promotions are the grindhouse of the sport, breeding fighters who often leap to or from the UFC, Bellator, ONE Championship, and PFL.

• Invicta FC: Women’s MMA powerhouse, birthplace of future champions
• Titan FC: Home to tough, technical strikers and grapplers
• CFFC: The proving grounds for East Coast grit and heavy hitters
• Rizin Fighting Federation alumni making splashy appearances

Beyond the Cage: How Former UFC Fighters Influence the MMA and Bare-Knuckle Landscape

The ripple effect of former UFC stars crossing into new arenas isn’t just about the spectacle—it shifts entire narratives in MMA and bare-knuckle boxing. Guys like Andrei Arlovski and female fighters like Liz Carmouche bring with them a legacy wrapped in sweat and sacrifice that commands respect. Whether it’s the fierce rivalries, career resurgences, or swapping disciplines for bare-knuckle, they’re rewriting the script on what a fighter’s career can look like outside the UFC’s glaring spotlight.

This phenomenon isn’t blocked at the HQ; instead, it’s intertwined with the entire ecosystem, affecting promotions like Bellator, ONE Championship, and PFL. Managers, promoters, and fans are keenly watching because these moves often shake up rankings, fan interest, and betting lines.

• Legacy reinforcement through alternative combat platforms
• Reshaping career trajectories beyond UFC retirement
• Increasing inter-promotional competition and fan engagement
• Promoting respect for fighters who fight with heart, gloves or not

Fighter	Legacy Impact	New Platforms	Fan Following	Notable Opponents
Andrei Arlovski	Former UFC Heavyweight Champ	BKFC, Custom Rules Fights	Global veteran appeal	Josh Copeland, Martin Buday
Liz Carmouche	Pioneer Women’s MMA	PFL, Bellator insights	Dedicated fanbase	Valentina Shevchenko, Ilia Topuria
Jessica Eye	Veteran presence	BKFC	Scrappy loyalists	Maycee Barber

When the dust settles, these fighters remind us that MMA is not just a bullfight but an unfolding chess match —always requiring brains, heart, and sometimes a fresh pair of knuckles for the next round. For the diehards who want a glimpse into the brutal ballet of MMA evolution, this piece on fighter legacies and the heart behind combat sports encapsulates it well. No glove, no problem—it’s about the warrior spirit.