The concept for this cover design came about in 2012 after playing EA's Fight Night Champion boxing video game. Knockout Queens is a reference to EA's Knockout Kings boxing game series, which was eventually rebranded as Fight Night. As the Champion entry to Fight Night was branded as a dark, gritty, Mature-rated sports title focusing on the raw, grittiness, and brutality of boxing, the Knockout Queens cover focuses on the unsanctioned, gritty, combat of MMA (women's MMA in this aspect). Design elements such as grunge textures, dark markings and scratches, cages, distorted effects, and the underground aesthetic give off a dark and gritty feel.