Kai Stewart Eyes Superfight with Sean O'Malley to Crown the King of Montana

BKFC featherweight champion Kai Stewart has become a prominent figure in bare-knuckle boxing, a sport he admits is still finding its footing. Despite the challenges, Stewart has carved out a legacy, compiling an impressive 7-0 record, including four title victories. Among those triumphs is a win over former UFC contender Jimmie Rivera, solidifying his status as one of the sport's brightest stars.

“There’s really no such thing as a bare-knuckle boxing coach because it’s so new,” Stewart explained. “I’m literally making this sport up as I go.”

Stewart credits his adaptability and innovative approach to his success, even noting that professional boxers like Austin Trout have studied his techniques.

Unlike many of his peers, Stewart didn’t transition from MMA or boxing; instead, he found his niche in bare-knuckle combat. Originally joining to make extra money, Stewart exceeded his expectations, claiming multiple world titles.

“The combat sports world doesn’t give a f*ck about us fighters, so I found my route,” he shared.

However, Stewart isn’t ruling out an MMA return. For now, his focus remains on bare-knuckle, but one dream looms large: a crossover fight with UFC bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley. Both hail from Montana and Stewart sees this as the ultimate showdown.

“I’ve never said a bad thing about O’Malley,” Stewart said. “There’s no real beef on my end. But yeah, he’s definitely sad-eyed that I hurt his feelings talking sh*t in the DMs. So now I think we should just fight. If I suck, let’s fight.”

While the UFC rarely entertains cross-promotion, Stewart envisions a massive outdoor event at Grizzlies Stadium in Montana, drawing 20,000 fans. Until then, he remains committed to pushing the boundaries of bare-knuckle boxing, building both his legacy and the sport’s global reputation.

“At this point, it’s legacy,” Stewart stated. “As long as I’m having fun, I’m going to keep doing this. I want those super fights, just to see how good I really am. Bareknuckle is going to be the biggest combat sport in the world someday. People are going to look back and say ‘Kai Stewart changed the f*cking game.’”