Gzim Selmani is stepping into the bare-knuckle boxing ring, and he’s not holding back. ‘I’ll break their face with no gloves,’ he boldly declares, leaving no doubt about his intentions as he joins the BKFC. But here’s where it gets controversial—after nearly a decade in WWE, why would a former tag team champion trade the scripted drama of wrestling for the raw brutality of bare-knuckle fighting? And this is the part most people miss: Selmani isn’t just making a career shift; he’s returning to his roots in combat sports, where he believes he can do the most damage.
Selmani’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. Starting his MMA career as a teenager, he debuted with Bellator at just 19, competing in the heavyweight division as its youngest fighter. But his path took an unexpected turn when he caught the eye of WWE scouts, leading to a nearly decade-long run as Rezar, one half of the championship-winning Authors of Pain tag team. Released from WWE in early 2025, Selmani found himself at a crossroads. ‘After WWE, I took a break, healed from some minor injuries, and sat down with my friend Shane Watson, a boxing manager, to explore my options,’ he told MMA Fighting. ‘We discussed everything—MMA, boxing, even celebrity fights. But BKFC felt like the right fit. It’s in my blood, in my DNA.’
What’s striking is Selmani’s confidence, bordering on fearlessness. He’s not interested in the influencer boxing scene, despite offers from promotions like Misfits Boxing. ‘I’m 31, with a nine-year WWE career behind me,’ he explained. ‘I want to compete against the best, and BKFC is where I’ll do that.’ His most notable MMA win—submitting UFC veteran Oli Thompson in just 18 seconds—hints at the kind of dominance he aims to bring to bare-knuckle fighting.
But here’s the kicker: Selmani hasn’t competed in combat sports for over a decade. Yet, he remains eerily calm about his BKFC debut at KnuckleMania 6 on February 7 in Philadelphia. Why? Because he’s no stranger to hard work. ‘I come from Team Golden Glory,’ he said. ‘We sparred hard, knocking guys out regularly. I’ve been hit with MMA gloves, boxing gloves—you name it. Bare-knuckle fighting? It’s just another day at the office.’
But is Selmani underestimating the transition? Bare-knuckle fighting is unforgiving, with no gloves to cushion the blows. ‘If I drop guys with 16-ounce gloves, I’ll break their face with no gloves, guaranteed,’ he claims. ‘People underestimate fists. These are knives.’ Bold words, but will they hold up in the ring? Only time will tell.
As Selmani prepares for his BKFC debut, one question lingers: Is this a calculated move by a seasoned fighter, or a risky gamble? Let us know what you think in the comments—is Selmani’s transition to bare-knuckle fighting a stroke of genius or a recipe for disaster?
