At least three fighters have contacted the police to claim they had not been paid by World Bare Knuckle Fighting Federation.

According to K2 Radio in Wyoming, Casper Police Department has opened a criminal investigation into World Bare Knuckle Fighting Federation (WBKFF) — not to be confused with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships (BKFC) — over missed payments to local businesses and fighters.

The missed payments relate to the November 8th WBKFF card ‘Rise of the Titans’, which took place at the Casper Events Center. That event was headlined by Chris Leben defeating Phil Baroni. It also featured Johny Hendricks (who lost to Dakota Cochrane). Other recognizable figures from MMA who appeared on the card include Christina Marks, Julian Lane, and Isaac Vallie-Flagg.

Bellator veteran Brennan Ward was expected to face Hendricks on the card, but he pulled out at the last minute over a contract dispute. Former NFL player Shawne Merriman was also scheduled to be on the card, but he too pulled out over a contract dispute.

Ward later told Bloody Elbow’s Nick Baldwin that he didn’t think anyone on that card would be paid adding that the situation seemed “too good to be true.”

Ward’s prediction may have proved correct, with at least three fighters having reached out to Casper PD detective Shannon Daley to complain about not getting paid.

One fighter who has claimed that they have not been paid is Isaac Vallie-Flagg. On January 9th he posted this claim on social media and also appealed to MMA legend Bas Rutten; who was once marketed as the president of WBKFF.

“Still haven’t been paid by [WBKFF] along with most to all of the fighters,” tweeted Vallie-Flagg. “Phone calls not being returned by owner of the company [Tomasz Stankiewicz]. Wondering if [Bas Rutten] has heard any way fighters are getting compensated for their work.”

Rutten responded to Vallie-Flagg’s tweet asking the Strikeforce and UFC veteran to “give it two more weeks.”

In addition to fighter complaints, Daley said the CPD had been contacted by hotels, media companies, and other businesses who claimed they had been paid by WBKFF.

“We’re trying to determine if it was improper accounting, you know just they were expecting money and didn’t get it, or if the whole thing was a sham,” said Daley. “And that’s going to decide which way the investigation goes and what charges would be applicable.”

Daley said it’s possible that this incident could constitute as fraud, but they made it clear they currently “don’t have proof” of that scenario.

K2 Radio reported that WBKFF was formed by Tomasz Stankiewicz on June 25th, 2018, two months after he pleaded guilty to wire fraud in running a scheme that lead to fraudulent Federal Housing Administration loans amounting to more than $2.1 million.

Stankiewicz is due in an Illinois court to receive sentencing for that conviction, which could lead to nearly six years in prison.

Bloody Elbow reached out to WBKFF’s publicist for comment on the ongoing information. BE was notified that the publicist was no longer working for WBKFF or representing the company in any way. The publicist also suggested that the only individual still working for WBKFF is Tomasz Stankiewicz.

At least three fighters have contacted the police to claim they had not been paid by World Bare Knuckle Fighting Federation.

According to K2 Radio in Wyoming, Casper Police Department has opened a criminal investigation into World Bare Knuckle Fighting Federation (WBKFF) — not to be confused with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships (BKFC) — over missed payments to local businesses and fighters.

The missed payments relate to the November 8th WBKFF card ‘Rise of the Titans’, which took place at the Casper Events Center. That event was headlined by Chris Leben defeating Phil Baroni. It also featured Johny Hendricks (who lost to Dakota Cochrane). Other recognizable figures from MMA who appeared on the card include Christina Marks, Julian Lane, and Isaac Vallie-Flagg.

Bellator veteran Brennan Ward was expected to face Hendricks on the card, but he pulled out at the last minute over a contract dispute. Former NFL player Shawne Merriman was also scheduled to be on the card, but he too pulled out over a contract dispute.

Ward later told Bloody Elbow’s Nick Baldwin that he didn’t think anyone on that card would be paid adding that the situation seemed “too good to be true.”

Ward’s prediction may have proved correct, with at least three fighters having reached out to Casper PD detective Shannon Daley to complain about not getting paid.

One fighter who has claimed that they have not been paid is Isaac Vallie-Flagg. On January 9th he posted this claim on social media and also appealed to MMA legend Bas Rutten; who was once marketed as the president of WBKFF.

“Still haven’t been paid by [WBKFF] along with most to all of the fighters,” tweeted Vallie-Flagg. “Phone calls not being returned by owner of the company [Tomasz Stankiewicz]. Wondering if [Bas Rutten] has heard any way fighters are getting compensated for their work.”

Rutten responded to Vallie-Flagg’s tweet asking the Strikeforce and UFC veteran to “give it two more weeks.”

In addition to fighter complaints, Daley said the CPD had been contacted by hotels, media companies, and other businesses who claimed they had been paid by WBKFF.

“We’re trying to determine if it was improper accounting, you know just they were expecting money and didn’t get it, or if the whole thing was a sham,” said Daley. “And that’s going to decide which way the investigation goes and what charges would be applicable.”

Daley said it’s possible that this incident could constitute as fraud, but they made it clear they currently “don’t have proof” of that scenario.

K2 Radio reported that WBKFF was formed by Tomasz Stankiewicz on June 25th, 2018, two months after he pleaded guilty to wire fraud in running a scheme that lead to fraudulent Federal Housing Administration loans amounting to more than $2.1 million.

Stankiewicz is due in an Illinois court to receive sentencing for that conviction, which could lead to nearly six years in prison.

Bloody Elbow reached out to WBKFF’s publicist for comment on the ongoing information. BE was notified that the publicist was no longer working for WBKFF or representing the company in any way. The publicist also suggested that the only individual still working for WBKFF is Tomasz Stankiewicz.