Victor Ortiz Challenged Paulie Malignaggi to BKB Match
The former welterweight champion has issued a callout following a successful debut in the bare-knuckle league.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Boxing
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Victor Ortiz has officially challenged Paulie Malignaggi to a bare-knuckle boxing match. The callout follows Ortizs successful transition to the BKB circuit earlier this year.
Why it matters
The matchup represents a strategic move for Ortiz as he looks to capitalize on his recent momentum while Malignaggi seeks a high-profile rebound after his latest defeat.
Victor Ortiz holds a professional boxing record of 33 wins, 7 losses, and 3 draws. In his BKB debut, he and opponent Dominic Salcido weighed in at 153.6 pounds, with judges scoring the bout 49-45.
The players
Victor Ortiz
He is a former WBC welterweight champion who transitioned to bare-knuckle boxing after a decorated career in professional boxing.
Paulie Malignaggi
He is a former professional boxing world champion who has recently competed under the BKB banner.
Rolando Dy
He is a professional fighter who retained his BKB super welterweight world title against Malignaggi in May 2026.
Gareth A. Davies
He is a noted combat sports journalist who conducted the interview where Ortiz made his challenge.
The details
Ortiz issued the challenge during an interview with Gareth A. Davies to set up a potential super welterweight division clash. The proposed fight would match Ortiz, who joined BKB in March 2026, against Malignaggi, who is looking to recover from a title-fight loss to Rolando Dy.
Timeline
Victor Ortiz won the WBC welterweight title in 2011.
Victor Ortiz signed a deal to join BKB in March 2026.
Paulie Malignaggi lost his title fight to Rolando Dy on May 16, 2026.
Victor Ortiz secured his BKB debut victory on July 18, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This potential bout shifts the BKB super welterweight division by inserting a high-profile former champion into the mix. It follows the recent title-fight loss by Paulie Malignaggi and creates a new narrative arc for the division's future rankings.
A fight between Ortiz and Malignaggi would likely be billed as a marquee event in the super welterweight class. Fans of the sport should monitor BKB announcements to see if this challenge leads to a confirmed booking on the upcoming schedule.
The takeaway
The pivot of former traditional boxers toward the bare-knuckle circuit continues to reshape the combat sports landscape. Followers should note that these high-profile challenges are the primary way fighters move up the hierarchy in new league formats.
Further reading
For more on the current state of professional and bare-knuckle competition, visit Boxing.
Source note: This article includes information reported by LowKickMMA.
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