Back Yard Brawl Extreme debuts on PPV April 5th, solidifying the rise of bare-knuckle fighting.
Internet backyard fighting pioneer Dhafir “Dada 5000” Harris is adding more fuel to the bare-knuckle fighting fire.
The Miami street fighter turned mixed martial artist is returning to his roots and amplifying his reach with Back Yard Brawl Extreme Fighting, a new, sanctioned platform as a promotional company.
Touted as the most intense combat sports experience, the first event on April 5th will be held in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Dada is fully recovered from injuries he suffered three years ago in his Bellator fight against Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson. Ferguson is now deceased, however, Dada is keeping the culture the two helped create alive.
“The doctor told me there was so much potassium in my body that I was lucky to walk 10 feet,” said Dada. “I still went three hard rounds with Kimbo Slice.”
From The Back Yard To Pay-Per-View
Bare knuckle fighting has experienced a renaissance lately. Recently, former two-time world champion Paulie Malignaggi signed with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships. The company also announced former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Anthony “Rumble” Johnson as a fighter relations/ambassador.
Early on, Bare Knuckle Boxing (BKB) re-started the age-old sport, reigniting the careers of former UFC fighters.
As a result, Back Yard Brawl Extreme is adding to an already vibrant landscape of underground fighting that has turned into a sanctioned sport. In addition, BYB Extreme 1 will be held in a venue and shown worldwide on pay per view.
“People identify with us because we came from backyard brawling on the dark side of Miami,” said Dada. “Backyard is where we came from and bare-knuckles fighting is the next step in the evolution of fighting. We started this (BYB), fighting in the mud, this wasn’t done overnight. We were the first, people came to the backyard to watch, and now I’m inviting everybody on our journey.
From Miami To The World
“I was a promoter before being a fighter,” said Dada 5000. “I started a business and BYB Brawl is going to be the biggest combat sport. People may think this is kind of nuts, but they do feel it’s going to blow up.”
The Bahamian-born fighter is also adding a new element to backyard brawling: the cage. It is a first for bare-knuckles fighting which is traditionally done in a ring. BYB‘s “Trigon Triangle” cage creates close quarters making the probability of a KO higher.
“I’ve always been fascinated by triangles,” said Dada. “It is the most dominant, most feared symbol. Even my hair is cut in a triangle. Look at the pyramids, what’s on the back of our money. There’s no room to run in our Trigon Triangle cage; it was designed that way, and it isn’t for individuals who don’t want confrontations.”
This Saturday, Miami based Cuban fighter Jorge Masvidal faces Darren Till for a UFC Fight Night headliner in London. Masvidal was a protege of Kimbo Slice and is now is a top-tier UFC fighter.
The maturation from social media, viral video stars to full-fledged fight juggernauts wasn’t easy but manifested.
“BYB Brawl 1: Brawl For It ALL” will also conclude production of “Dawg Fight 2”, produced by Billy Corben of Cocaine Cowboys fame. Dada 5000 will serve as one of the color commentators cage-side.
“My dream was not to fight in the UFC or Bellator,” Dada 5000 concluded. “I come from the backyard. We are the culture!”
