IBA Bare Knuckle 5 will take place on 27 June at CSKA Arena in Moscow, bringing together a full international card, a major rematch at the top of the bill and the bare-knuckle debut of one of Russia’s most recognisable boxing names.

The tournament will be headlined by Samat Abdyrakhmanov (KGZ) and Islam Kadiev (RUS), while Dmitry Kudryashov (RUS) will make his first appearance under bare-knuckle rules against Hasan Yousefi (IRI) in the co-main event.

Here are five reasons to follow IBA Bare Knuckle 5.

1. A main-event rematch with unfinished business

Samat Abdyrakhmanov and Islam Kadiev will meet again in the main event, with their rematch scheduled for five two-minute rounds at 77 kg.

Abdyrakhmanov, a WBL world boxing champion, faces Kadiev, a master of sport in kickboxing. Their return bout gives the card a clear sporting storyline and puts two proven competitors at the centre of the evening.

2. Dmitry Kudryashov enters bare-knuckle boxing

The co-main event will feature the bare-knuckle debut of Dmitry Kudryashov, the WBC Silver champion and former WBA International champion, widely known by his nickname “The Russian Hammer”.

Kudryashov has built his reputation through power and experience in professional boxing. His move into bare-knuckle rules adds a new layer of intrigue, especially after his most recent boxing appearance ended with a unanimous decision victory over American boxer Rydell Booker.

He will face Hasan Yousefi, a world champion in wushu sanda and former AMC Fight Nights Global champion. Their bout will be contested over three two-minute rounds at 93+ kg.

3. Jon Jones joins the evening as a special guest

UFC star Jon Jones will attend IBA Bare Knuckle 5 as a special guest and co-host of the evening.

His appearance adds international attention to the tournament and underlines the growing crossover appeal of IBA Bare Knuckle, which continues to bring together athletes and personalities from across combat sports.

4. A full international card across several weight classes

IBA Bare Knuckle 5 will feature fighters from Russia, Brazil, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Iran, Belarus, Cuba and Italy.

The card includes professional boxers, MMA fighters, kickboxers, combat sambo athletes and bare-knuckle specialists. That mix of styles gives the tournament a broad competitive profile, with bouts scheduled across 68 kg, 70 kg, 77 kg, 80 kg, 84 kg and 93+ kg.

Among the key matchups, Shodruz Davlatov (TJK) and Magomed Amagaev (RUS) meet in a welterweight rematch, Maksim Butorin (RUS) faces Joilton Lutterbach (BRA), and Yassel Reyes (CUB) takes on Sulambek Shakhgiriev (RUS).

5. Dangerous punchers and late changes add extra tension

Several bouts on the card bring clear knockout potential.

Yassel Reyes is regarded as one of the most dangerous punchers in IBA Bare Knuckle and will face world combat sambo champion Sulambek Shakhgiriev. Russian MMA fighter Yakov Bukin will now meet Tajikistan boxing champion Suleyman Makhmadov after changes to the card.

The previously announced bout between Abdurakhman Abdurakhmanov and Tigran Matevosyan has been cancelled after Abdurakhmanov sustained a serious training injury. Muhammad Abdurakhimov has also withdrawn from his bout against Bukin due to a rib fracture, with Makhmadov stepping in as the new opponent.

All other bouts remain scheduled.

Fight card

Samat Abdyrakhmanov (KGZ) vs Islam Kadiev (RUS)
77 kg, 5 x 2-minute rounds

Dmitry Kudryashov (RUS) vs Hasan Yousefi (IRI)
93+ kg, 3 x 2-minute rounds

Shodruz Davlatov (TJK) vs Magomed Amagaev (RUS)
77 kg, 3 x 2-minute rounds

Maksim Butorin (RUS) vs Joilton Lutterbach (BRA)
84 kg, 3 x 2-minute rounds

Timur Abdurakhmanov (RUS) vs Aleksandr Perevyazko (RUS)
84 kg, 3 x 2-minute rounds

Farid Yadullaev (RUS) vs Seryozha Harutyunyan (ARM)
68 kg, 3 x 2-minute rounds

Yassel Reyes (CUB) vs Sulambek Shakhgiriev (RUS)
80 kg, 3 x 2-minute rounds

Yakov Bukin (RUS) vs Suleyman Makhmadov (TJK)
77 kg, 3 x 2-minute rounds

Matvey Kokorev (RUS) vs Bekzat Saabyr (KAZ)
70 kg, 3 x 2-minute rounds

Oleg Zharkov (RUS) vs Keyvan Safari (IRI)
84 kg, 3 x 2-minute rounds

Riccardo Allegretti (ITA) vs Aleksandr Nekrash (BLR)
84 kg, 3 x 2-minute rounds