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Jeremy Stephens proved he's ready to dominate the bare-knuckle scene at BKFC KnuckleMania 5, stopping Eddie Alvarez in a thrilling main event. The victory came after Stephens scored two knockdowns, ultimately forcing Alvarez's corner to stop the fight in the third round. This win was a statement from Stephens, embracing his role as the villain and proving that he was built for the gritty world of bare-knuckle fighting.
Stephens entered the event knowing he would be the antagonist. He wasn't shy about playing that role throughout the week leading up to the fight. But once the action began, it was clear that Stephens had a deep understanding of how to thrive in this brutal sport. He remained patient, waiting for the right moment to strike. That moment came in the third round when he landed a stiff punch that sent Alvarez crashing to the canvas.
Despite Alvarez's attempt to recover, he was visibly shaken from the knockdown. Stephens, sensing an opportunity, unleashed another powerful punch just before the round ended, knocking Alvarez down once more. As the third round concluded, Alvarez’s coaches had seen enough and stopped the fight, giving Stephens a triumphant win.
After the fight, Stephens reflected on his long journey, mentioning the numerous setbacks and doubts he faced throughout his career. He shared an emotional moment with the crowd, saying,
“Years of being broken. I lost so many times in the UFC, like a thousand times but I put myself back together like a 1,003 times. My own promoters were against me. The whole city was against me. [Conor] McGregor was against me. Mike Perry, everybody doubted me. Look at me now! Pay me my f*cking money! Let’s go!”
With this victory, Stephens remains undefeated in BKFC, now with a 3-0 record. But what really stole the show was his faceoff with BKFC co-owner Conor McGregor, who has expressed interest in competing in bare-knuckle before his career ends. The two have history, with Stephens once calling himself the hardest-hitting featherweight in the UFC, prompting McGregor’s famous response, Who the f*ck is that guy?
After the fight, McGregor couldn’t resist a challenge, saying,
“Who the f*ck is this guy? Let’s set a date. Who’s going to stop me man to man? No one’s going to stop me. Dave [Feldman], make a date, let’s do it. I’m down for it bro.”
While a bare-knuckle showdown between the two would be electrifying, McGregor’s UFC contract may prevent it from happening anytime soon. Still, this confrontation has certainly set the stage for an exciting future in BKFC.