Hard Knocks Fighting is a mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion in North America.[1] Hard Knocks Fighting was founded in 2009 by Canadian Olympic wrestler Ari Taub.[2] Hard Knocks Fighting is known for its local fighter support and ongoing charity efforts and where Ronda Rousey secured her second career MMA victory.[3][4]

Hard Knocks Fighting
Company typePrivate
IndustryMixed martial arts promotion
Founded2009
FounderAri Taub
Headquarters,
Key people
Ari Taub, Founder and CEO
Websitewww.hardknocksfighting.com

History

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Founding

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In 2009, Canadian Olympic wrestler Ari Taub founded Hard Knocks Fighting. Ari Taub an Olympic wrestler and Calgary based lawyer overcomes local city bylaws to win legal challenges to get MMA sanctioned in Calgary.[5] In December 2011, media giant ESPN began airing Hard Knocks Fighting in 40 countries and over 50 million homes.[6][7] Hard Knocks Fighting produces 15 live events annually, as well as shoulder programming including feature fights, highlight shows, and documentaries.

Television Broadcasting

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  • December, 2011 - Hard Knocks Fighting begins broadcasting on ESPN.[8][9]
  • June, 2013 - Hard Knocks Fighting begins broadcasting on Popcornflix.[10]
  • January, 2015 - Hard Knocks Fighting and MoboVivo launch HKFC MMA App [11]
  • January, 2015 - Hard Knocks Fighting begins live broadcasts on Fight Network.[12][13]

Past events

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Events name Date Venue Location
HK1 March 26, 2009 Century Casinos Calgary, Alberta
HK2 June 27, 2009 Century Casinos Calgary, Alberta
HK3 September 26, 2009 Century Casinos Calgary, Alberta
HK4 November 7, 2009 Century Casinos Calgary, Alberta
HK5 January 30, 2010 Century Casinos Calgary, Alberta
HK6 April 9, 2010 Century Casinos Calgary, Alberta
HK7 June 4, 2010 Century Casinos Calgary, Alberta
HK8 September 10, 2010 Century Casinos Calgary, Alberta
HK9 November 5, 2010 Century Casinos Calgary, Alberta
HK10 January 28, 2011 Century Casinos Calgary, Alberta
HK12 June 17, 2011 Century Casinos Calgary, Alberta
HK13 May 27, 2011 Cypress Centre Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede Medicine Hat, Alberta
HK14 September 23, 2011 Century Casinos Calgary, Alberta
HK15 October 7, 2011 Turvey Centre Regina, MB
HK16 October 22, 2011 Spectra Place Estevan, SK
HK17 March 26, 2009 Cypress Centre Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede Medicine Hat, Alberta
HK18 November 25, 2011 Century Casinos Calgary, Alberta
HK19 January 20, 2012 Century Casinos Calgary, Alberta
HK20 March 26, 2009 Cypress Centre Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede Medicine Hat, Alberta
HK21 March 26, 2009 Spectra Place Estevan, SK
HK22 March 16, 2012 Century Casinos Calgary, Alberta
HK23 March 26, 2009 Subway Soccer Centre Calgary, Alberta
HK24 March 26, 2009 Spectra Place Estevan, SK
HK25 June 15, 2012 Cypress Centre Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede Medicine Hat, Alberta
HK26 July 19, 2012 Art Hauser Centre Arena Calgary, Alberta
HK27 September 7, 2012 Subway Soccer Centre Calgary, Alberta
HK28 September 14, 2012 Spectra Place Estevan, SK
HK29 October 26, 2012 Century Casinos Calgary, Alberta
HK30 February 8, 2013 Century Casinos Calgary, Alberta
HK31 March 26, 2009 Spectra Place Estevan, SK
HK32 April 26, 2013 Century Casinos Calgary, Alberta
HK33 May 25, 2013 Spectra Place Estevan, SK
HK34 January 17, 2014 Century Casinos Calgary, Alberta
HK35 April 25, 2014 Century Casinos Calgary, Alberta
HK36 March 26, 2009 North Peace Arena - Rumble in the North Fort St. John, BC[14][15]
HK37 June 13, 2014 Century Casinos Calgary, Alberta[16]
HK38 October 3, 2014 Markin MacPhail Centre - WinSport Calgary, Alberta
HK39 November 14, 2014 Century Casinos Calgary, Alberta
HK40 December 12, 2014 Century Casinos Calgary, Alberta[17]
HK41 January 30, 2015 Century Casinos Calgary, Alberta
HK42 March 20, 2015 Century Casinos Calgary, Alberta
HK43 May 22, 2015 Markin MacPhail Centre - WinSport Calgary, Alberta[18]
HK44 June 26, 2015 Century Casinos Calgary, Alberta[19]
HK45 September 25, 2015 Markin MacPhail Centre - WinSport Calgary, Alberta
HK46 October 23, 2015 Markin MacPhail Centre - WinSport Calgary, Alberta
HK47 November 13, 2015 Century Casinos Calgary, Alberta
HK48 January 29, 2016 Markin MacPhail Centre - WinSport Calgary, Alberta
HK49 April 22, 2016 Markin MacPahil Centre - WinSport Calgary, Alberta
HK50 June 17, 2016 Century Casino Calgary, Alberta
HK51 October 14, 2016 WinSport Calgary, Alberta

Broadcast partners

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Current champions

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Division Upper weight limit Champion Contestant type
Light Heavyweight 205 lb (93 kg)   Rodney Wallace Professional
Middleweight 185 lb (84 kg)   Brent Auger Amateur
Welterweight 170 lb (77 kg)   Cody Wilson Professional
Lightweight 155 lb (70 kg)   Jason Fischer Professional
Lightweight 155 lb (70 kg)   Sean Michaels Amateur
Featherweight 145 lb (66 kg)   Justin Basra Amateur
Bantamweight 135 lb (61 kg)   Jesse Arnett Professional

Notable fighters

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References

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  1. ^ "Hard Knocks Fighting Championship MMA Event will premiere on PPV". World News Network. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  2. ^ "NATPE LIVE: Ari Taub, CEO of Hard Knocks Fighting, reveals news of a new 24/7 fight sports channel dedicated to content around its fighters and championship". natpe. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  3. ^ "Local Calgary sports teams have netted nearly $100,000, thanks to Hard Knocks Fighting". Calgary Sun. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  4. ^ "More Than Hockey: A Look at the Next Wave of Canadian MMA". Themmacorner.com. Retrieved 2015-03-12.
  5. ^ McAsey, Brian. "Political cage match - Fast Forward Weekly". Fast Forward Weekly. Retrieved 2015-03-12.
  6. ^ "HKFC School of Hard Knocks 36". ESPN. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  7. ^ "Hard Knocks 39 takes place in Calgary, Alberta on Nov. 14 with special guest UFC's Elias Theodorou". Mmacanada.net. 2014-10-21. Retrieved 2015-03-12.
  8. ^ "HKFC School of Hard Knocks 37". ESPN. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  9. ^ MMACanada (2014-10-21). "Hard Knocks 39 takes place in Calgary, Alberta on Nov. 14 with special guest UFC's Elias Theodorou". Mmacanada.net. Retrieved 2015-03-12.
  10. ^ "Popcornflix to Stream MMA Action". Home Media Magazine. 2013-06-14. Retrieved 2015-03-12.
  11. ^ "Hard Knocks Fighting Championship MMA App". Sportscaster Magazine. 2015-01-15. Retrieved 2015-03-12.
  12. ^ "Quick Shots - Hard Knocks Fighting 43 LIVE on Fight Network". Fight Network. No. May 2015. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  13. ^ "Fight Network Live Broadcast of Hard Knocks Fighting Championship". Home Media Magazine. 2015-01-30. Retrieved 2015-03-12.
  14. ^ "Council weighs in on Hard Knocks 36". Alaska Highway News. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  15. ^ "Sunrise Rotary and Hard Knocks Fighting MMA Event". Fort St. John, British Columbia Official. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  16. ^ "Ryan Dickson rocks at Hard Knocks 37". Calgary Sun. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  17. ^ "Live MMA Hard Knocks 40 - December 12". CTV News. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  18. ^ "UFC signs heavyweight Cirkunov". Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Retrieved 7 July 2015.
  19. ^ "Hard Knocks Fighting Championship 'HK44′ Weigh In Results from Calgary". MMA Canada. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
  20. ^ "HKFC School of Hard Knocks 44". ESPN. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  21. ^ "MMA at Century Casino | MMA | Mixed Martial Arts | Sports". Calgary Sun. 2014-06-12. Retrieved 2015-03-12.
  22. ^ "HK39 Calgary - November 14th, 2014". MMAmadhouse.com. Retrieved 2015-03-12.
  23. ^ "Hard Knocks Fighting Olympic Press Conference". Fight Network. Retrieved 2015-03-12.
  24. ^ "Hard Knocks Fighting Ltd. (2015)". Popcornflix. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  25. ^ "Hard Knocks Fighting S1 Ep 1". OSN. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  26. ^ "Ronda Rousey vs Charmaine Tweet Set For June 17th". MMARising.com. 2011-05-05. Retrieved 2011-05-06.
  27. ^ "Ronda Rousey Wins Quickly In Hard Knocks 12 Co-Feature". MMARising.com. 2011-06-17. Retrieved 2011-06-17.
  28. ^ "MISHA CIRKUNOV". Sherdog. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
  29. ^ "UFC Signs Hard Knocks Light Heavyweight Champion". Fightline.com. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
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