Bullfighters Only: Action, Sensation, Sport

Bullfighters Only is, “The ultimate showdown between man and beast!”

Lights, camera, action! Bullfighters Only (BFO) “is an action sport.” It is captivating. It is growing. It is real!

Aaron Ferguson, a bullfighter himself, had the idea of creating an event that was all things bullfighting. Today, Bullfighters Only, also known as BFO, is all things bullfighting…and more. The first event was in a field in the middle of nowhere. It was an event made possible through a partnership with Joey Austin, the founder and President of Hooey Brands.

Since the first event in that remote field, BFO has been presented at some of the best known venues in the United States. BFO has been at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys; Charlotte Motor Speedway, MGM Grand Arena, Barrett-Jackson Auction and the Staples Center, home of the LA Lakers, Clippers, and Kings. As Austin smiled, he explaind, “We are an overnight sensation that took nine years.”

BFO produces about a dozen events per year. The events range from 3-man competitions at rodeos to the World Championships in Las Vegas. Austin says, “The rodeo folks love it but It really appeals to people outside rodeo.”

What is BFO and how does it work?

BFO is free-style bullfighting and is “the ultimate showdown show down between man and beast.” Every year, through the multiple events, the bullfighting athletes earn points. The top-earners all go to Las Vegas in December to compete for the title of World Champion.

How do the bullfighters get scored?

The bullfighter earns points based on style, control, creativity, aggression and difficulty. The bull earns points based on aggression, quickness, speed, intensity and engagement. The score of the bullfighter and bull are combined for a total score.

For at least 40 seconds and for up to 60 seconds, the bullfighter goes head-to-head with a Toro de Lidia bull. Toro de Lidia is a unique breed of bovine and commonly known as the Spanish Fighting Bull. During the 40-60 seconds, the bullfighter can be awarded up to 50 points and the bull can also be awarded up to 50 points for a total possible score of 100.

Las Vegas is home of the BFO World Championships. The ninth (IX) World Championships were closed out on December 16, 2023 at Resorts World Las Vegas. This was the third year BFO was at Resorts World. Austin says, “These people know the rodeo fan.” Prior to Resorts World, the championships were held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Hard Rock, and Tropicana.

This year’s Championship was electrifying and exciting! Luke Ballard was the 2023 BFO World Champion. Ballard won Round 1 of the Finals with a score of 88.25. He returned to the Finals Round where he faced off against the all-time great fighting bull, Habanero. In the Finals, Habanero would enter the arena for his final time before being retired. Ballard and Habanero would combine to win the BFO World Championship IX with a score of 87.25. Ballard competed against eight other bullfighters in the Championship Finals including four-time BFO World Champion Weston “The Beard” Rutkowski and 2022 BFO World Champion Tyler Mansell.

If you are a rodeo fan, an action sport fan, or just looking for an exciting sport to follow, BFO is the answer for you.

Whether you think it happened “overnight” or took nine years of hard work, know that BFO will continue to be a sensation.

Want to follow Bulllfighters Only you can find them on all forms of social media including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat or at their website www.Bullfightersonly.com