Stephens TKOs Alvarez, faces off with McGregor at BKFC KnuckleMania 5
Warning: Video contains coarse language
Jeremy Stephens spoiled Eddie Alvarez's homecoming in the BKFC KnuckleMania 5 main event.
Stephens defeated the former UFC lightweight champion via TKO at the end of the third round Saturday night at Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia.
Alvarez's corner stopped the fight between rounds after their fighter suffered two knockdowns in the third.
UPSET IN PHILLY 😳
— DAZN Sport (@DAZN_Sport) January 26, 2025
Jeremy Stephens knocks Eddie Alvarez down twice in the third round and it’s OVER!!!#KM5 | #KnucklemaniaV | #AlvarezStephens pic.twitter.com/ButSB9V1qd
After the fight, Stephens faced off with UFC star and BKFC co-owner Conor McGregor, who expressed interest in a potential matchup.
"Let's set a date," McGregor said to Stephens. "Who's gonna stop me? ... No one's gonna stop me."
Conor McGregor faces off with Jeremy Stephens after his win at #KnuckleManiaV 😭
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) January 26, 2025
“Who the f*** is this guy. Let’s make a date, who’s gonna stop me man to man.”pic.twitter.com/lgIAVuHQXP
Stephens, a UFC veteran, is now 3-0 under the BKFC banner. The 38-year-old parted ways with the UFC in 2022 after 15 years and 34 fights in the premier MMA promotion. Stephens competed three times in the PFL and had two boxing matches against Jose Aldo and Chris Avila before signing with BKFC in 2023.
Alvarez falls to 1-2 in bare-knuckle fighting. The 41-year-old beat Chad Mendes in his debut and then suffered a corner stoppage defeat to Mike Perry, both in 2023. Alvarez, who held the UFC lightweight title in 2016, parted ways with the UFC to sign with ONE Championship in 2018. Alvarez competed in four fights under the ONE banner, left the organization in 2022, and joined BKFC in 2023.