Rolando Gabriel Dy, 34, of the Philippines was not dethroned at the Bare Knuckle Boxing (BKB) event “BKB 54: Mayhem in Manchester”. He is still the super welterweight world champion of the bare knuckle fighting organization based in Miami, Florida, United States.
The former champion in that division is Liam Rees of Swansea, Wales, U.K. On December 5, 2025, he was dethroned via unanimous decision by Dy at “BKB 49: Dance of the Dragons” at the Vale Arena in Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom.
PenOne Combat
Dy is represented by PEN ONE Digital Corporation through its integrated sports marketing subsidiary PenOne Sports, a sports and commercialization company. Based in the Philippines, the company transforms audience attention into scalable business opportunities through sponsorships, digital platforms, live experiences, media distribution and performance-driven brand partnerships while representing some of the country’s premier leagues and sports properties.
On April 29, 2026, the company officially launched its combat sports division PenOne Combat at the Manila Yacht Club in Malate, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines. Focused on developing and managing world-class combat sports athletes and properties, this division is led by Dy.
“Rolando continues to embody what Filipino fighters are all about — courage, heart, discipline, and world-class talent,” PEN ONE Digital Corporation president Carlos Campa said after Dy’s successful title defense. “This victory is not only for him but for Philippine combat sports and every aspiring Filipino fighter dreaming of making it globally.”
“BKB 54: Mayhem in Manchester”
On May 16, 2026, Dy defended his BKB Super Welterweight World Championship title at “BKB 54: Mayhem in Manchester” at the AO Arena in Manchester, England, U.K. He and his challenger Paul “Magic Man” Malignaggi, 45, of Brooklyn, New York, USA headlined the event.
Representing PenOne Combat and the Philippines, Dy delivered a commanding performance against Malignaggi in front of a packed crowdEngland, showcasing relentless pressure, precision striking, and trademark toughness throughout the bout. From the opening rounds, the defending champion controlled the pace of the fight, forcing exchanges and showcasing the aggression and composure that have made him one of the sport’s most respected names.
Dy’s power and pressure eventually proved too much, leading to a dramatic finish that sent a strong message to the division. At the 56-second mark of the second round, referee Clive Allison stopped the title bout after the Filipino champion knocked out Malignaggi with a punch.
The victory further cements Dy’s place as one of the premier bare-knuckle fighters in the world and one of the few Filipinos to capture and defend a recognized world championship in the rapidly growing global bare-knuckle scene. For PenOne Combat, the win represents more than just another successful title defense.
Dy’s successful title defense adds another milestone to an already accomplished combat sports career that has seen him compete across multiple international promotions and disciplines. Now holding firm atop the BKB super welterweight division, he continues to fly the Philippine flag proudly on the global stage. Shunning the hype and fanfare, he lets his fists do the talking—proving once again why he is truly incredible.
CONAN Daily 