Mike Perry Defeats Jeremy Stephens in Brutal BKFC 82 Main Event
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Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship’s (BKFC) October 4th event in Newark, New Jersey, delivered a night of relentless action, culminating in a fifth-round TKO victory for Mike Perry over veteran Jeremy Stephens. Despite competing on the same night as a major UFC card, BKFC 82 showcased a series of finishes and solidified Perry’s reputation as the “King of Violence.”
Perry weathered pre-fight barbs from BKFC co-owner Conor McGregor and systematically dismantled Stephens, securing the win at the 1:35 mark of the final round. The fight was a punishing affair, with Perry scoring six knockdowns throughout the contest. Many observers felt the bout should have been halted earlier, potentially after the second or third knockdown, given the sustained damage Stephens absorbed.
Fans quickly reacted to the outcome on social media, with UFC fighter Terrance McKinney expressing his support for Perry’s performance. BKFC also shared footage of the dramatic finish online.
However, the significant weight disparity between the two fighters drew criticism. Perry has previously competed at 185 pounds, while Stephens typically fights at 145 pounds. “Quite honestly, these guys’ frames were a bit too far apart for my liking,” one analyst noted, adding that Stephens appeared significantly disadvantaged in size and strength.
Edgar’s Absence and Rivera’s Retirement
The event was also impacted by the late withdrawal of UFC Hall-of-Famer Frankie Edgar, who was deemed medically unfit to compete. Edgar was originally scheduled to face Jimmie Rivera in the co-main event. Rivera ultimately faced a replacement opponent, Timmy Mason, and secured a TKO victory before announcing his retirement from competition.
According to reports, Edgar’s absence diminished some of the event’s anticipated draw, as his name recognition would have brought additional attention to the BKFC card. Despite this setback, every fight on the night ended in a finish, highlighting the promotion’s commitment to exciting matchups. Several fighters, including Perry, Stephens, Rivera, Oluwale Bamgbose, and Roberson, have prior experience competing in the UFC.
BKFC 82 Full Results
Here are the complete results from BKFC 82, held on October 4, 2025, in Newark, New Jersey:
- Middleweight (Main Event): Mike Perry def. Jeremy Stephens — TKO, Round 5 (1:35)
- Women’s Featherweight (Co-Main Event): Christine Ferea def. Jessica Borga — KO, Round 4 (0:26)
- Lightweight (Featured Fight): Jimmie Rivera def. Timmy Mason — TKO, Round 3 (0:29)
- Cruiserweight: Oluwale Bamgbose def. Karl Roberson — TKO, Round 2 (0:58)
- Featherweight: Quentin Gaskins def. Phil Caracappa — KO, Round 1 (1:53)
- Lightweight: Jeff Lentz def. Elijah Harris — TKO, Round 1 (2:00)
- Lightweight: Mike Trizano def. JC “Corazon” Deleon — KO, Round 1 (0:20)
- Heavyweight: Pat Carroll def. Aleem Whitfield — TKO, Round 2 (0:25)
Looking Ahead: BKFC Fight Night in Hammond
BKFC will continue its action-packed schedule with a Fight Night event on October 18 in Hammond, Indiana, at the Horseshoe Casino. The card will be headlined by an intriguing matchup between undefeated Bryce Henry and Roderick Stewart.
The success of BKFC 82, despite competing with a major UFC event, underscores the growing appeal of bare-knuckle fighting and the promotion’s ability to deliver compelling spectacles for combat sports fans.
