Betting on bare knuckle isn’t just about picking a winner; it’s about finding the book that treats the sport correctly. In 2026, the gap between “general” sportsbooks and “combat-optimized” sportsbooks has widened.

Some books still treat Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) like a novelty act with limited lines. Others, specifically the ones detailed below, offer granular prop markets, respect the unique rule sets, and provide early liquidity.

This breakdown covers the best options for both BKFC (US-based, ring) and BKB (UK-based, often in a “trigon” or ring), tailored for high-value betting.

1. The “Big Two” for US Bettors (Regulated)

Best for: Safety, casual volume, and clear TKO rules.

DraftKings Sportsbook

DraftKings has become the leader for regulated US bare knuckle betting. They have standardized their rules to eliminate the ambiguity that used to plague the sport.

• The “Doctor Stoppage” Rule: Crucial for 2025. DraftKings explicitly grades a Doctor Stoppage as a TKO. If you bet on “Win by KO/TKO/DQ” and the fight is stopped due to a cut (common in BKFC), you win. You do not need a separate “Doctor Stoppage” prop.
• Key Feature: “To Go The Distance” Markets. Because BKFC rounds are only 2 minutes, DraftKings’ algorithms often undervalue the cardio drain. Look for the “No” (Inside the Distance) lines on heavyweight fights here; they are often priced more generously than offshore books.

FanDuel Sportsbook

FanDuel is slightly more conservative with opening lines but offers excellent live betting interfaces.

• Best For: Live Betting. Bare knuckle momentum shifts instantly. FanDuel’s app stability allows you to sniper “Next Round Winner” bets in between the fast-paced 2-minute rounds.
• Weakness: They often group “KO/TKO” and “DQ” together but may lack the deep “Round Group” betting (e.g., “Win in Rounds 1-2”) found on specialized sites.

2. The “Sharp” & Offshore Options (Global Access)

Best for: Early lines, BKB (UK) specific markets, and aggressive props.

BetUS

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ for Bare Knuckle Coverage

BetUS is currently the gold standard for pure combat sports depth. They are one of the few books that consistently list BKB (the UK promotion) alongside BKFC.

• BKB Coverage: You will find lines for events like BKB 49 well in advance. Most US books ignore the UK promotion entirely.
• Prop Depth: They offer “Knockdown” props (e.g., “Total Knockdowns Over/Under 1.5”) which are highly profitable in the BKB Trigon where defensive angles are tighter.
• The “Draw” Hedge: BetUS often offers a 3-way moneyline (Fighter A, Fighter B, Draw). If you are betting a heavy favorite, use the 3-way line for better odds, as the Draw is statistically rare enough to risk the “Push” protection.

BetOnline

Best for: Opening Lines

If you are a serious bettor, you need a BetOnline account simply to catch the “openers.”

• Strategy: They frequently post BKFC lines 3-4 days before regulated US books.
• The Edge: You can often find a favorite at -140 here that will close at -200 on DraftKings by fight night. This is essential for “Closing Line Value” (CLV).

3. The UK Powerhouses (UK Residents)

Best for: Fight Night Derby, BKB events, and fractional odds.

Paddy Power / Betfair

In the UK, these two share odds feeds and are superior for domestic cards.

• #YourOdds Feature: For major UK cards (like the upcoming Derby event), you can request specific combinator bets via X (formerly Twitter). Example: “Cooke to win, over 1.5 knockdowns, and fight to end in Round 3.”
• Exchange Betting (Betfair): The only place where you can “Lay” a fighter (bet on them to lose). This is a massive advantage in bare knuckle. If you think a fighter has brittle hands but don’t trust their opponent to win, you can Lay the favorite. If they break their hand or get cut, you profit without needing to pick the specific winner.

William Hill

A staple for BKB (UK promotion) action.

• Round Grouping: They offer excellent “Grouped Round” betting (e.g., Rounds 1-3 vs Rounds 4-5). In BKB’s 5-round or 7-round title fights, this offers a wider safety net than picking a specific round.

4. Critical Technical Comparison: BKFC vs. BKB Rules

When betting across these organizations, you must know the difference. The books settle them differently.

Summary Recommendation

• For the “Cooke vs. Holmes” (UK) Card: Use Paddy Power or Betfair. Look to “Lay” Holmes if the liquidity is there on the Exchange.
• For “Porter vs. Copeland” (USA) Card: Use DraftKings for the safest TKO grading or BetUS if you want to bet on specific “Knockdown” props.
• For BKB (UK Promotion) Events: BetUS is your most reliable global option for finding these lines early.