Ex-NRL star Curtis Scott eyes shock move to ‘ruthless’ $600m US powerhouse

Curtis Scott is eyeing off a shock move into bareknuckle boxing — and the hyped US promotion fronted by Conor McGregor – as his push to become Australia’s most active, and exciting, crossover fighter continues.

Thurman vs Jarvis | WED 12 MARCH 7PM AEDT | Australia’s Brock Jarvis will take on former Welterweight World Champion Keith Thurman in a blockbuster event at the Hordern Pavillion. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.

Only a year on from being rejected with his bid for an NRL return, 27-year-old Scott is now looking to significantly expand on initial plans to become Australia’s next cruiserweight boxing champ – by entering talks to fight both bareknuckle and MMA.

The surprise twist comes as the 2017 NRL premiership winner also helps ready great mate Brock Jarvis for his own Pay-Per-View headliner against American superstar Keith Thurman on Wednesday, March 12.

Speaking with foxsports.com.au this week, Scott revealed his agent Titus Day has opened discussions with hyped US fight company, Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) – who recently announced they will be heading Down Under in 2025.

Fronted by UFC megastar Conor McGregor, who doubles as a part owner, BKFC is enjoying an explosion in the US sports market right now, with a recent Rolling Stone feature valuing the company at $600 million.

And with the revived sport now announcing plans for an Australian show in 2025, Scott wants in.

The move comes as the Sydneysider has also been approached about fighting with Australia’s leading MMA promotion Eternal later this year and remains in talks with heavyweight domestic boxing promoters, No Limit.

Should the talks come off, Scott could conceivably fight across all three sports in 2025.

Asked about his push to appear on a BKFC card, and the fact that there is no, err, playing around in bareknuckle, Scott grinned: “I don’t really f… around, either.

“Obviously bareknuckle is a ruthless sport and I’m keen to bite down on the mouthguard and let my hands go.”

While bareknuckle fighting demands adjustments on traditional boxing strategy – particularly due to the risk of breaking your hand – Scott stressed he would be keeping the same blueprint that has seen him go unbeaten through four professional fights.

Despite only making his boxing debut last March, the former leaguie has quickly built an impressive list of scalps which includes AFL great Barry Hall, All Black hero Liam Messam and cult NRL player Joey Leilua.

Scott has also continually accepted fights against bigger men, conceding 30kg against Leilua, 13kg against Messam and a dozen kegs against Hall.

Yet as for any potential style changes in bareknuckle?

“I just throw with bad intentions,” Scott shrugged. “Gloves on or off, it doesn’t change.

“My plan will be putting the other guy to sleep.

“BKFC are coming to Australia this year and hopefully I can land a spot on that first card because I think I’d be a good fit for their first show.

“I think I can draw some eyes, some attention.

“Obviously the sport is really growing in the United States and this would give the local fans some connection when they bring their show here.”

Then after a pause, the former Melbourne Storm centre added: “And I do come away with a broken hand, I just need to ensure I’ve been paid well enough to put my feet up for however long it takes to recover.”

Scott also confirmed he has been working with Australia’s first UFC champion Robert Whittaker, and has spoken with the owners of Eternal who “are keen to get me involved on their next Sydney card”.

Asked about his new ‘anyone, anywhere, any rules’ approach to fighting, the Sydneysider continued with a laugh: “Well, I can’t sing or dance.

“Fighting, competing … these are the things I’m really good at.

“And that’s why it really is a case of anywhere, anytime, anyone.”

Elsewhere, Scott will also again be cornering for Jarvis when he headlines Sydney’s iconic Hordern Pavilion against Thurman next month.

After almost two years away from boxing, Jarvis made his return with much fanfare against Adrian Rodriguez in December, finishing the Queensland middleweight within four rounds.

On that occasion, Scott was part of his mate’s corner and said he would now again be holding down the same role against Thurman – that former champ who sits among the greatest welterweights of the modern era.

“Nothing has changed for Brock and I, we’ve been really close for a long time now and just go about our business,” Scott said.

“I was in his corner last fight and my role won’t change.

“In the boxing game, it’s hard to find people you can trust, people who genuinely want the best for you, and I’m just there to support Brock and be ready for whatever he needs.”

Scott added that he is also helping Jarvis prepare for everything Thurman, renowned for fight week lip, will bring verbally once he arrives Down Under.

“We have a lot of banter between ourselves so I’ve told Brock, come fight week, to pretend he’s just talking to me, Scott said.

“Obviously Keith is known for his chat and you can’t take the talk too seriously.

“But Brock has good chat, too.

“He’s a funny bloke who just needs to be himself.”

Thurman vs Jarvis | WED 12 MARCH 7PM AEDT | Australia’s Brock Jarvis will take on former Welterweight World Champion Keith Thurman in a blockbuster event at the Hordern Pavillion. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.