Bare-knuckle boxers and cage fighters take up pro PILLOW fighting
BARE-knuckle boxers and cage fighters are letting the feathers fly by taking up pro pillow fighting.
The bizarre competition sees super-fit grown men — often sporting long hair and beards — doing battle like rowdy kids at a sleepover.
Opponents take on each other in three 90-second rounds where the fighters duke it out with Pillow Fighting Championship approved queen-sized 2lb pillows.
Each “weapon” is stuffed with foam and encased in nylon sailcloth to avoid it ripping.
Fighters are matched up according to their relative size and experience levels.
The competition started last September and this weekend hosted its first professional bout in Miami, Florida.
Mixed martial arts veterans Markus Perez, 31, and Conor McGregor’s first UFC opponent Marcus Brimage, 36, were among the favourites to win the $5,000 prize money.
But winless MMA fighter Hauley Tillman, 33, claimed it.
Steve Williams, the new sport’s creator, says it is for everyone.
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He has recruited dozens of MMA fighters, reality TV stars, bare-knuckle boxers and regular men and women to take part.
He said: “You don’t really need to explain pillow fighting to people — that’s the beauty.
“There’s hardcore aggression, but nobody gets hurt. A lot of people don’t want to see the blood and violence anymore.”