Jeremy Stephens embraced his role as the underdog and defeated Eddie Alvarez with two knockdowns at BKFC KnuckleMania 5, ending the fight after Alvarez’s corner stopped it following the third round, while also having a face-off with Conor McGregor, who expressed interest in a future bare-knuckle match despite being under UFC contract.
Jeremy Stephens took on the role of spoiler at BKFC KnuckleMania 5, delivering two knockdowns and halting Eddie Alvarez’s return. The former UFC champ’s corner called it quits after the third round.
Stephens embraced being the villain all week. But when it came to the fight, he proved his mettle in bare-knuckle combat. A fierce punch in round three sent 41-year-old Alvarez tumbling.
Though Alvarez got back up, he was visibly shaken. Stephens sensed victory. Just before round three ended, another punch from Stephens had Alvarez on his knees.
Alvarez seemed ready to continue, but his coaches intervened. Referee Dan Miragliotta waved off the main event, ending it officially at 5:00 after the third round.
Stephens celebrated, feeling like the world was against him that night. “Years of being broken,” he said, reflecting on his journey to victory.
“I lost so many times in the UFC,” Stephens admitted. “But I rebuilt myself over a thousand times.”
“My own promoters doubted me. The city doubted me. Even McGregor and Mike Perry doubted me. But look at me now! Pay me my f*cking money!”
With over 50 MMA fights under his belt, Stephens has experienced it all. It seems he was waiting for bare-knuckle fighting. Saturday’s win made him 3-0 in BKFC, with no victory bigger than this one.
Afterward, Stephens faced BKFC co-owner Conor McGregor, who has expressed interest in bare-knuckle fighting himself.
Their history dates back to UFC 205 in 2016 when Stephens called himself the hardest-hitting featherweight. McGregor famously responded with, “who the f*ck is that guy?”
That exchange has lingered ever since. Now, McGregor might actually want to see how hard Stephens hits after their recent faceoff.
“Who the f*ck is this guy?” McGregor retorted to Stephens. “Let’s set a date. Who can stop me? No one can stop me. Dave [Feldman], make it happen.”
Despite McGregor’s enthusiasm, he’s still under contract with UFC. They recently blocked his boxing plans with Logan Paul, making a bare-knuckle match with Stephens unlikely.
Nonetheless, McGregor’s presence drew attention and his interaction with Stephens stole the show on one of BKFC’s biggest nights ever.