BKB has made a move outside the ring, hiring former DAZN and IMG executive Michael Ridout as its Managing Director, UK. Announced on November 9, the appointment puts a sports media dealmaker in charge of the promotion’s British operations, with additional responsibilities across its international business. His brief includes commercial development, partnerships and helping BKB reach more fans as it expands.
Ridout’s background is in getting sport onto screens and turning those broadcasts into business. He previously served as Executive Vice President, Combat Sports & New Business at DAZN, following more than 17 years at IMG. His experience includes working with the UFC and boxing promoter Frank Warren, giving BKB a new executive with relationships across combat sports and the broadcasters that carry them.
At IMG, where his roles included Vice President, Media, Ridout handled UK media sales and client relationships. His responsibilities included managing the UFC’s broadcaster relationships and IMG’s relationship with Warren, alongside global sales of the promoter’s boxing events.
BKB Adds Former DAZN Executive Michael Ridout to Lead UK Operations
He joined DAZN in May 2024 and lists his tenure there as ending in August 2026. That gives his latest move a specific focus: applying experience from selling and distributing established fight properties to BKB’s next stage.
BKB CEO David Tetreault welcomed the appointment, pointing to Ridout’s experience in sports rights, broadcast distribution and international boxing. “We are delighted to welcome him to BKB,” Tetreault said in the announcement. Ridout will work with the executive team on commercial opportunities and strategic partnerships, while overseeing the UK operation rather than taking on a role limited to broadcast sales.
Ridout, meanwhile, identified audience growth, international reach and new commercial partnerships as opportunities for the company. “I’m delighted to be joining the executive leadership team at such an important stage in the company’s development,” he said. His remit connects the British business with BKB’s overseas ambitions, putting both day-to-day operations and business development on his desk.
The hire comes as BKB experiments with how it delivers fights. In June, the promotion launched a TikTok broadcast initiative for the BKB 55 preliminary card in Cardiff. The main card had separate distribution through talkSPORT in the UK and Ireland and VICE TV’s YouTube channel elsewhere. Ridout now joins a business pursuing both traditional broadcast deals and direct access to viewers on social platforms.
