It’s time once again for BKFC’s mainstay, its Super Bowl, its biggest event of the year KnuckleMania.
Set in the fighting city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on January 25th, the sporting world gets no better than KnuckleMania V.
In the main event, former UFC champion turned bare knuckler Eddie Alvarez (1-1) will clash with another former UFC star Jeremy Stephens (2-0, 1 KO). Alvarez has just two fights in his BKFC career but they have been memorable ones. In his debut, he won an absolute barn burner against Chad Mendes.
He would follow that up by fighting for the symbolic “King of Violence” title against the company's biggest star, Mike Perry. Alvarez again had a great showing despite ultimately coming up short, but he still remains as one of the most skilled fighters the sport has to offer.
Stephens entered the BKFC ranks after a long MMA career including a 34-fight run in the UFC where he would win 10 different performance bonuses. Since moving to the gloveless game he’s gone 2-0, with wins over Jimmie Rivera and Bobby Taylor.
With power that has translated to the squared circle, a win over a guy like Alvarez could skyrocket him in the rankings, and even result in a title shot later in the year.
In the co-main event, heavyweight champion Mick Terrill (9-1, 8 KO) will look for defense number two of his title when he takes on the unbeaten “Big” Ben Rothwell (3-0, 3 KO). A great technician for the division, Terrill is a smart fighter who's very light on his feet despite standing at 6’3 250 pounds. While he has the edge in experience, there may be no bigger challenge figuratively or literally than Rothwell.
Another former UFC star, Big Ben has taken the BKFC heavyweight division by storm, amassing a 3-0 record with three knockouts. Listed at 6’4 275 pounds, Rothwell is one of the most physically imposing fighters in all of combat sports. Despite his size, he has extremely fast hands and pinpoint accuracy, setting him apart as one of the very best.
The antepenultimate bout will see two of the very best women’s bare knucklers of all time when “Rowdy” Bec Rawlings (3-3, 1 KO) makes her long-awaited return to face perennial contender Taylor Starling (4-3, 1 KO). Rawlings has been a BKFC staple since the very beginning, fighting on their first event in 2018, while Starling entered not long after. The two of them are responsible for countless great moments over the years, and just like the main event, bring it every single time.
While this one might not have the title implications that other fights have on the card, this is still one of the biggest fights in women's bare knuckle history. Two all-time greats ready to battle on BKFC’s biggest stage.
KnuckleMania always delivers jaw-dropping action and the fifth installment is set to be no different. From the first prelim to the main event, fans will see the epitome of what it means to knuckle up.
Full Card:
Eddie Alvarez vs. Jeremy Stephens Mick Terrill vs. Ben Rothwell - BKFC Heavyweight Championship
Taylor Starling vs. Bec Rawlings
Dustin Pague vs. JD Burns
Joey Dawejko vs. Steven Banks
Top photo courtesy: BKFC
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