BKFC KnuckleMania 5 live blog: Eddie Alvarez vs. Jeremy Stephens
This is the BKFC KnuckleMania 5 live blog for Eddie Alvarez vs. Jeremy Stephens, the lightweight main event from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Saturday night.
Eddie Alvarez (1-1) is a combat sports veteran with mixed martial arts titles from the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Bellator, and Dream. He recorded a 30-8 record with two no-contests in his professional MMA career. Alvarez last competed against Mike Perry in a King of Violence title bout in the BKFC ring and lost via second-round TKO on Dec. 2, 2023.
Jeremy Stephens (2-0) is a combat sports veteran as well, competing in boxing, mixed martial arts, and BKFC. He’s compiled a 29-21 record with one no-contest in his professional MMA career. He last competed in BKFC this past September when he scored a unanimous decision win over Bobby Taylor.
Check out the Alvarez vs. Stephens live blog below:
Prefight: The co-main event is now over and Ben Rothwell is HW champion. Jeremy Stephens is already making the walk to the BKFC ring. The national anthem is being sung in the middle of the ring. Jeremy Stephens is the first to make the walk to the ring and is soundly booed by the crowd.
Alvarez playing to the local Philly crowd walks out to “Going the Distance” from the Rocky soundtrack. He’s competing in his hometown for the first time in nearly 15 years.
Round 1: Stephens opens with a stiff jab and Alvarez returns fire with one of his own. Alvarez digs to the body with a couple of shots and then goes back up top to the head. Alvarez with a slick counter right hand that clips Stephens but he eats it well. Stephens showing no fear staying in the pocket with the Philadelphia crowd chanting “f*ck you, Stephens.”
MMA Fighting scores R1 10-9 Eddie Alvarez
Round 2: Alvarez comes out aggressive with a flurry but Stephens meets him with a nasty counter left hand that lands flush. Alvarez closes the distance and he’s unloading punches in bunches, digging to the body and the head in succession. Stephens survives the onslaught and he comes back with a nasty right hand of his own that tags Alvarez. Alvarez trying to bully Stephens, pressing him back against the ring and launching more punches.
MMA Fighting scores R2 10-9 Eddie Alvarez
Round 3: Alvarez with a hard right hand to start the third but Stephens unloads a massive right hand of his own and Alvarez is down! Alvarez gets back to his feet and takes the standing eight count before the fight continues. Stephens connects with a nice jab and a slick uppercut that pops Alvarez. Stephens doing a good job with body punches form the clinch and then he throws a straight right and Alvarez is down again!
MMA Fighting scores R3 10-7 Jeremy Stephens
Eddie Alvarez unable to continue after suffering two knockdowns with his corner stopping the fight.
Official result: Jeremy Stephens def. Eddie Alvarez via technical knockout (stoppage) at 5:00, R3.
After the fight, Conor McGregor enters the ring and challenges Jeremy Stephens to a fight in BKFC!