A Harley-Davidson dealership parking lot in East Jefferson County is about to host boxing rings, bourbon tastings and enough barbecue smoke to fill the block, all in the name of raising money for cancer research. The two-day festival, officially called Bourbon, BBQ and Mayhem, returns to Bluegrass Harley-Davidson at 2755 Terra Crossing Boulevard on Friday, August 28, and Saturday, August 29.
As reported by WDRB, the Louisville event combines bourbon, barbecue, live music and professional boxing under one roof, with proceeds again going toward cancer research. This year's edition builds on an inaugural run last August at the same venue that featured seven award-winning pitmasters from across the United States and regional and national fight talent, as described in the event account. That debut featured kickboxing on opening night followed by professional boxing and amateur barbecue contests the next day.
The festival was created by Main Event Kombat LLC, a local venture founded by organizers Lawrence Winburn Jr., Haven Harrington and Chef John Railey, per the same WHAS11 account. The trio spent years developing the idea of pairing combat sports with culinary competition before the concept ever hit the parking lot at Bluegrass Harley-Davidson.
A Hometown Heavyweight Headlines the Fight Card
This year's professional boxing card is headlined by Louisville native Tim “Mayhem” Moten, an undefeated heavyweight who will fight for the Kentucky Heavyweight Championship in front of his hometown crowd, according to GoToLouisville.com. The card also includes an American Boxing Organization regional title bout. The professional combat sports portion of the weekend is officially permitted and listed on the Kentucky Boxing and Wrestling Commission's event calendar for August 29 under promoter Haven Harrington of Main Event Kombat, giving the fights formal state athletic oversight.
Beyond the ring, organizers have built out the culinary side of the festival substantially for 2026. Seven featured pitmasters and chefs will serve 14 unique barbecue dishes for unlimited public sampling, paired with bourbon tastings, according to the event's official site. The weekend also includes amateur cooking contests billed as Backyard Pros and Joes vs. Pros grilling competitions, open to home cooks looking to test their skills against the professionals.
Where the Money Goes
Proceeds from the festival benefit Kentuckiana Friends of V. The organization identifies cancer research and prevention among the causes it supports and names Norton Children's Hospital and UofL Brown Cancer Center.
The fundraising effort lands against a public health backdrop in Kentucky.
Festival organizers have also built in a second charitable partnership beyond the cancer research beneficiary. Main Event Kombat maintains a relationship with Operation BBQ Relief, a national disaster-relief organization that supports disaster survivors and emergency responders through disaster feeding. The partnership adds a second charitable element beyond the cancer research beneficiary.
Together, the fight card, the barbecue lineup and the bourbon pours are designed to turn a weekend of entertainment into dollars for institutions many Louisville families already rely on. For a state grappling with some of the nation's highest cancer rates, organizers are betting that a parking lot full of boxing gloves and brisket can make a dent.
