Former UFC standouts Jessica Eye and Mariya Agapova stepped inside the squared circle on Saturday night, each one making their highly anticipated bare-knuckle debut at BKFC 76 in Texas.
After a 16-fight career that spanned nearly a decade, Eye signed on the dotted line with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. Determined to kickstart a new chapter in her combat sports career, ‘Evil’ toed the line with Agapova, a veteran mixed martial artist with experience competing on some of the biggest stages, including Invicta FC, the UFC, BRAVE CF, and Karate Combat.
Round 1
Eye wastes no time closing the distance, pressing Agapova against the ropes and unleashing a flurry of strikes. They’re separated, but get right back to it, with Eye landing some strikes while clinging onto a half Thai plum. Agapova lands a right hand from range as Eye stalks forward. Eye throws a right, but Agapova is too far out. Agapova swings and misses. Eye counters with a right that connects and lands some shots to the body as the bell sounds.
Round 2
Eye comes forward once again and appears to clip Agapova during an exchange. Agapova goes down momentarily, but the referee rules it a slip and allows the action to continue. Eye once again backs Agapova to the ropes, prompting a break. Agapova throws a combination from distance, but Eye pushes right through it to do some dirty boxing in close. Eye lands a right hand, but she eats a counter right from Agapova. Eye appears to be bleeding from her right eye as a result of the exchange.
Eye attempts to fire back, but there’s not enough time left in the round.
Round 3
Eye punches her way inside, getting the half Thai plum and unloading a bevy of strikes to the body near the ropes. Agapova circles away, pumping her jab to try and keep Eye on the outside. Eye enters aggressively once again. Eye appears to catch Agapova, causing a hematoma to form on her forehead. Eye explodes off the jab to the inside. Agapova counters with a right hook to the body just before the bell.
Round 4
Eye keeps her foot on the gas, pushing the pace and closing the distance with more dirty boxing against the ropes. The referee resets them. Eye is trying to parry the left hand of Agapova. Eye uses an overhand right to get inside, but they’re quickly separated and recentered. Eye moves in and targets the body, staying active in the clinch. Still, the referee separates them instead of letting Eye work. Eye lands a short right uppercut against the ropes as the round ends.
Round 5
Eye moves in right away and fires a shot to Agapova’s body that sends her stumbling back to the ropes. The referee ruled that Agapova used the ropes to stay upright, resulting in a knockdown. Agapova immediately argued, claiming that she was pushed by Eye. The referee isn’t hearing it and continues the standing eight count.
Eye stays busy as Agapova’s offense is continuously stifled throughout the remainder of the round, sending us to the scorecards after five intense rounds of action.
Official Result: Jessica Eye def. Mariya Agapova via unanimous decision (49-45, 50-44, 49-45)
Check Out Highlights From Jessica Eye vs. Mariya Agapova at BKFC 76:
HERE WE GO!#BKFC76 https://t.co/V5yVnrtB4j pic.twitter.com/GNdrrNMvLJ
— Bare Knuckle FC (@bareknucklefc) June 22, 2025
