Former UFC standout Jeremy Stephens stepped into the squared circle for his highly anticipated bare-knuckle debut at BKFC 56 on Saturday night.
Emanating from the Maverik Center in Salt Lake City, Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship’s latest pay-per-view event featured a series of can’t-miss matchups, including a main event clash between Stephens, and Jimmie Rivera, another former UFC fighter who has found some success by dropping the four-ounce gloves.
Rivera earned a unanimous decision over Bekhzod Usmonov in his promotional debut in May. He looked to make it two-in-a-row against ‘Lil Heathen’ inside the BKFC ring.
Round 1
Rivera kicks things off with a shot to the body. Rivera again level changes to go low, but eats a right hook from Stephens. A jab from Stephens lands, but he whiffs on a looping left hook. Rivera goes back to the body as Stephens goes back to the jab. A right hand from Stephens gets through, but Rivera comes back with a big left hand. A left hand from Stephens gets the attention of Rivera who immediately clinches up. Rivera lands on the body and then delivers a two-punch combo upstairs. Stephens responds with a hook as the round comes to an end.
Round 2
Rivera starts with a double jab and then goes to the body of Stephens. Rivera again goes to the body with a right, then a left. Stephens stalks as Rivera offers up another double jab on the entry. Three-punch combo from Rivera lands as Stephens continues to put on the pressure, but offers little in the way of offense. Rivera is working the body brilliantly, but Stephens lands a big right hand. Rivera comes back with an uppercut. Stephens closes the round landing a jab with the right.
Round 3
Rivera stays outside and lands a nice right hand on the step-in. Rivera lands double jabs to the body, but Stephens moves forward and drops Rivera with a big right hand. Rivera answered the cut, but he is bleeding profusely over his left eye. Stephens brings the forward pressure, but Rivera looks to fire in close and narrowly misses with a big looping left hook. A hook to the body of Stephens lands for Rivera. Stephens lands with a right in the clinch as the round ends.
Before the fourth round can begin, the ringside physical calls for the stoppage due to the cut directly above Rivera’s eye.
Official Result: Jeremy Stephens def. Jimmie Rivera via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) at 2:00 or Round 3.
Check Out Highlights From Jeremy Stephens vs. Jimmie Rivera at BKFC 56 Below:
Business is about to pick up! It's time for Jeremy Stephens vs Jimmie Rivera.#BKFC56 pic.twitter.com/pwoHHCPNuZ
— TrillerTV (@FiteTV) December 3, 2023
Here comes the UFC veteran, Jeremy Stephens for his BKFC debut.#BKFC56 pic.twitter.com/nt4rfMIZTB
— TrillerTV (@FiteTV) December 3, 2023
Down goes Jimmie Rivera! #BKFC56 pic.twitter.com/txeTOYbmWM
— TrillerTV (@FiteTV) December 3, 2023
Jeremy Stephens with the HUGE win in his BKFC debut against Jimmie Rivera! #BKFC56
Order BKFC 56: https://t.co/AYRDlGLWML pic.twitter.com/6L8S816Kqq
— Bare Knuckle FC (@bareknucklefc) December 3, 2023
