Mariya Agapova made waves at the BKFC 76 weigh-ins on June 20, 2025, in Dallas, Texas. The former UFC fighter surprised UFC veteran Jessica Eye with an unexpected kiss during a heated faceoff. The bold move heightened anticipation for their bare-knuckle boxing debut on June 21, 2025.
Agapova’s MMA Path
Mariya Agapova, a 28-year-old from Kazakhstan, competed in the UFC women’s flyweight division from 2020 to 2023. She debuted with a first-round submission over Hannah Cifers at UFC on ESPN 10, finishing with a 4-3 record. Her last UFC fight was a rear-naked choke submission loss to Luana Santos on July 13, 2024, at UFC Fight Night in Denver. After leaving UFC, Agapova signed with BKFC in August 2024 for her bare-knuckle debut.
Eye’s MMA History
Jessica Eye, a 38-year-old Ohio native, competed in the UFC from 2013 to 2022 in flyweight and bantamweight divisions. She posted a 5-10 record with one no-contest, defeating opponents like Jessica-Rose Clark. Eye lost to Cynthia Calvillo via decision in June 2020 and challenged for the flyweight title in 2019, falling to Valentina Shevchenko. Her final MMA fight was a unanimous decision loss to Maycee Barber at UFC 276 in July 2022, after which she retired from MMA. Eye signed with BKFC in 2025 for her bare-knuckle debut.
The Dramatic Faceoff
During the BKFC 63 weigh-ins, Agapova and Eye locked eyes in a tense staredown. As they stood close, Agapova leaned forward and kissed Eye on the lips, catching her off guard. Eye stepped back, visibly shocked, as the crowd erupted. BKFC officials labeled the moment “spicy,” noting the charged atmosphere in the Texas heat. Both fighters made the 125-pound limit, setting the stage for their clash.
Mariya Agapova just kissed Jessica Eye during their face off at BKFC Texas 😳😘 pic.twitter.com/lnrpkr1lyy
— FULL SEND MMA (@full_send_mma) June 20, 2025
MARIYA AGAPOVA JUST KISSED JESSICA EYE!#BKFC76 | SATURDAY | Only on DAZN pic.twitter.com/tfNmU2dPm3
— Bare Knuckle FC (@bareknucklefc) June 20, 2025
The faceoff sparked a frenzy on X. Fans praised Agapova’s audacity, with one user calling it a “game-changer” that “lit up the weigh-ins.” Others noted Eye’s surprise, fueling online debates. The viral moment trended, with posts emphasizing the rivalry’s intensity ahead of their fight.
BKFC 76, held on June 21, 2025, at Dallas’ Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, features Agapova vs. Eye as a marquee flyweight bout. Other matchups include Keith Richardson vs. Brandon Bushaw in the bantamweight division. The event highlights both fighters’ transition from MMA to bare-knuckle boxing.
Agapova, with a 10-5 MMA record, aims to make an impact in BKFC. Her aggressive approach suits the sport’s raw style. Eye, with a 15-11 MMA record, seeks to revitalize her career after a long break.
