Former UFC and Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez faced a tough setback at BKFC: KnuckleMania 5 last weekend. Where he headlined the event in front of his hometown Philadelphia crowd. Alvarez squared off against fellow former UFC fighter Jeremy Stephens in a highly anticipated bare-knuckle bout that ended with his corner throwing in the towel after the third round.
The fight started competitively, with Alvarez holding his own in the first two rounds. However, the tide turned in the third frame as Stephens knocked Alvarez down twice. Despite Alvarez’s resilience and determination, his corner made the decision to stop the fight before the start of the fourth round, ultimately prioritizing his health.
On Monday, Alvarez took to Instagram to reveal the full extent of his injuries, sharing an x-ray of his broken jaw alongside a heartfelt statement.
“Got hit with a kill shot in the first or second… I did my best to keep a game face and ignore it. By the third round, the damage was too much,” Alvarez wrote. “Please understand how bad I wanted this and what I sacrificed in order to win. It wasn’t my night. Bare Knuckle is as real as it gets—unpredictable, fast-paced, and violent.”
Alvarez also congratulated several up-and-coming Philadelphia fighters who showcased their skills at the event. “Congrats to all the new Philly standouts… You men are the future and made Philadelphia proud. I’m so happy for our city and the future of our combat athletes.”
The veteran fighter signed with BKFC in March 2023 and made an impressive debut shortly after, defeating former UFC featherweight title challenger Chad Mendes in a thrilling fight. However, his second appearance didn’t go as planned. Alvarez suffered a year-long layoff due to orbital fractures sustained in his previous bout and returned to face Stephens, only to endure another punishing loss.
Despite the setback, Alvarez expressed pride in Philadelphia’s rising prominence in combat sports and his belief in BKFC’s potential. “Philadelphia is slowly becoming the most dominant area in the country for combat sports,” Alvarez wrote. “BKFC is the fastest-growing and will be the greatest show on Earth. Mark my words.”
Alvarez’s warrior spirit remains intact, and while his immediate future in combat sports is uncertain, his contributions to the sport and his city’s fighting legacy are undeniable.
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