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Mike Perry vs Jeremy Stephens: 'King of Violence' Retained in Gruelling Bare-Knuckle Contest Mike Perry has successfully defended his symbolic ‘King of Violence’ championship, securing a fifth-round technical knockout (TKO) victory over challenger Jeremy Stephens in a brutal, back-and-forth main event at Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) 82 in Newark, New Jersey. The welterweight contest, featuring two of the highest-profile veterans to transition from the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), lived up to its billing as a clash of styles and pure durability. Perry’s relentless forward pressure and granite chin ultimately proved the deciding factor, weathering an early storm from Stephens before delivering six cumulative knockdowns throughout the latter half of the fight, forcing the stoppage at 1:35 of the final round. The win solidifies Perry’s position as the leading star of the rapidly expanding promotion. The Context: A High-Stakes Welterweight War The matchup held significant weight beyond the symbolic title. Both Perry, 34, and Stephens, 39, arrived at the Prudential Center with proven records of success in the gloveless format, making this a true collision of the BKFC’s elite. Perry entered the night undefeated in the BKFC squared circle, riding a wave of momentum following stoppage victories over former champions and mixed martial arts legends. Stephens, a veteran of over 50 professional MMA fights, had similarly found a second act in the bare-knuckle arena, showcasing his speed and technical acumen in successive victories. Analysts had largely framed the fight as a test of size versus speed. Perry, the naturally heavier man who has competed at middleweight, enjoyed a significant physical advantage, while Stephens was expected to rely on his speed and precise footwork—traits that had allowed him to overcome larger opponents in previous outings.
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The resulting spectacle was a contest that exceeded the expected violence, confirming the high ceiling for the combat sport promotion. Early Momentum and Perry's Resilience The opening rounds were defined by Jeremy Stephens’ speed and technical approach. Stephens, utilising rapid combinations and lateral movement, successfully split Perry's guard and landed several hard right hands that immediately marked and bloodied Perry's face. The challenger appeared to control the distance, punishing Perry as he relentlessly closed the gap. Despite absorbing significant damage, Perry showcased his hallmark durability, walking through the strikes without visibly slowing his forward advance. The tide began to turn dramatically in the third round. As Stephens slowed slightly, Perry increased his output and successfully cornered his opponent. With the crowd noise reaching a fever pitch, Perry found a home for his heavy left hand, which connected cleanly and sent Stephens down for the first official knockdown of the contest. While Stephens rose quickly and bravely navigated the final seconds of the round, the momentum had decisively shifted to the incumbent champion. Relentless Pressure Leads to Stoppage The championship rounds saw Perry fully capitalise on his superior physical strength and ability to absorb punishment.
In the fourth round, Perry’s constant march forward became too much for Stephens to manage, leading to two more clean knockdowns. Stephens exhibited incredible resilience, managing to make it back to his feet before the referee’s count of ten on both occasions, though his movement and defensive capabilities were visibly compromised. The final stanza, round five, cemented Perry’s victory. The sheer accumulation of damage, coupled with Perry’s unerring power, saw Stephens dropped three times in quick succession. After the final knockdown, with Stephens struggling to regain his footing at the 1:35 mark, the referee stepped in to signal the TKO stoppage, protecting Stephens from further damage and confirming Perry’s continued reign. Speaking in the ring immediately following the bout, Mike Perry embraced his moniker, telling the ringside reporters that the result was simply confirmation of his suitability for the sport. “It is fitting that I'm the King of Violence. It makes sense. I can take it; it's nothing to me,” Perry stated. “I'm grateful for the opportunity.
Thank you very much to Mr. Feldman and to Conor for his promotion. ” Outlook: Solidifying the Star, Eyeing High-Profile Bouts The victory pushes Perry’s BKFC record to 6-0, establishing him as the unquestionable face of the organisation. For Jeremy Stephens, the loss marks the first blemish on his bare-knuckle record, but his performance against a much larger opponent proved his quality and standing within the promotion. The attention now shifts to Perry’s next step. Prior to the event, speculation was rife regarding a potential blockbuster fight against BKFC co-owner and former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor. While McGregor remains under contract with the UFC, the possibility of such a high-profile crossover bout remains a critical piece of leverage for BKFC officials looking to further elevate the sport’s global visibility. Perry’s dominant performance has only enhanced the commercial appeal of such a prospect, positioning him centrally in the future landscape of the bare-knuckle sport.
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